But how does Danny Cowley go about injecting impetus into his team’s third-tier season once again? Here’s how we think the Blues will go at St James Park.
![Just about the only player to emerge with credit against MK Dons. Will continue on Boxing Day.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjM0MWVkMTkzLTJlMzQtNDBmZC05ODJlLTEzZDY3ZmQ5NjY0ZjphZTJjYTkzYS1mNzkxLTRiMDktOTcxZi0wYjQxMDljNmZjMzc=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
1. Josh Griffiths - goalkeeper
Just about the only player to emerge with credit against MK Dons. Will continue on Boxing Day.Photo: Jason Brown
![A return to fitness for the Arsenal signing holds the key to a return to a back four at Exeter. Will be a close call whether Swanson is announced fit.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmNhOTcyMmYxLWE0NTktNDUwZC1hYmUwLTAzMDQ1ZGYyMjQzNDo0ZDJjNWE4ZS01ZGU1LTRkNmYtYjI4ZS0zOTEyMmRjOWFhY2I=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
2. Zak Swanson - right-back
A return to fitness for the Arsenal signing holds the key to a return to a back four at Exeter. Will be a close call whether Swanson is announced fit.Photo: Jason Brown
![Was surprisingly dropped and missed last weekend. Whatever the formation, the no-nonsense defender has to return at Exeter.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjk5NmRkYWQ3LTc4OWItNDk5Ni05MWJjLTdhYzQ5ZjlmOTUzNjo5ZDU2OTA1NC00NzJlLTQ0MWQtOGZjYi1mYmYyNjFkZWMyYjQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
3. Sean Raggett - centre-back
Was surprisingly dropped and missed last weekend. Whatever the formation, the no-nonsense defender has to return at Exeter.Photo: Jason Brown
![Didn't work out well for the skipper against MK Dons, but expected to continue and hopefully look more secure alongside Raggett.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjFjZTMxNWI2LWVjNGQtNGQ3MS1iMWQzLTBhYjhkZjY1MWI5YzozMjMzMTZiZi1iZDE5LTQzZDYtYjgyZS0wNDE0OGNlZTUzYzU=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
4. Clark Robertson - centre-back
Didn't work out well for the skipper against MK Dons, but expected to continue and hopefully look more secure alongside Raggett.Photo: Jason Brown