UNDER the new management of Brendon King the sun is definitely shining over the grounds of the Weyline Stadium.

The Blues’ squad seems rejuvenated and is scoring goals for fun at the minute, and are deservedly in second place in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division.

Astute signings, such as Ed Bastick from Dorchester Town, Max Buckler from Bridport, and the more recent acquisitions of Sean Stewart and Tom Richardson have bolstered a squad coming off the back of at times a difficult previous season.

The strength has shown, with the Blues having scored five goals or more on four occasions already this season.

They might be eight points behind a Sholing side that are yet to lose, but bad news is becoming a rarity at the Weyline Stadium, and King should be pleased with the season so far.

Yes, there have been defeats, the 7-1 loss against Poole Town will have been chastening, and the FA Cup preliminary qualifying round 2-0 defeat to Bitton was fiery, but on every occasion the Blues have recovered.

Their last defeat in the league was a 6-2 thumping by Bournemouth, yet that was back in September, and Portland have since picked up 26 points in the league.

The cups, barring the Sydenhams Wessex League Cup, might not have provided much joy, but when level on games played and still four points ahead of third place it is hard to seriously fault the Blues on that front.

Undoubtedly, King will not be looking at the potential picture just yet, with the Blues still needing to play two games before the half-way mark in the league season. A lot could still go wrong, yet so far this is no real reason to believe it will.

Portland have found a groove that is setting up for a pleasing, and successful season.

With Sholing looking quite literally unbeatable in the league so far, their one league match so far they did not win was a draw, the title is not something to look at unless Sholing slump.

Yet if they do, there is no reason to think it will not be the Blues who are there to snatch the spoils.

A further sign of the wind of optimism blowing across the grass at the Weyline Stadium is the seemingly effortless progression of their reserve team.

Justin Faulkner’s men have proved more than capable of handling themselves in their new surroundings of the Dorset Premier League, something emphasised by the fact the team that finished above them in the Dorset Senior League last season, Corfe Castle, are currently third from bottom in the DPL.