HE’S SPENT his fledgling career to date picking up experience out on loan.
But not at clubs the size of Pompey.
That made Jake Jervis’ move to Fratton Park a simple process.
As soon as the Birmingham striker came charging on to the Blues’ radar when on loan at Carlisle earlier this season, he has been a wanted man around these parts.
Jervis gave Pompey the runaround during the Cumbrians’ 4-2 win in August – a display duly noted by staff.
And once the 21-year-old was aware of the club’s interest, it became a move he wanted to make reality.
Despite his age, it’s already been a nomadic career for the striker, who made his Blues debut as a substitute in the 1-1 draw at Coventry on Saturday.
Jervis is yet to start a fixture for his parent club and has, instead, picked up experience gaining minutes at six difference clubs on temporary deals.
Hereford, Notts County, Swindon, Preston, Carlisle and Tranmere have all benefitted from the 6ft 3in man’s trickery, pace and direct running.
But none of those clubs match up to being at Pompey in Jervis’ eyes.
That made the move south last Thursday an easy decision for him to make.
Jervis said: ‘It’s way up there (in comparisons to other clubs I’ve been at).
‘It’s way out in front.
‘Obviously, the club has been in the Premier League and has had its difficulties over the past few years but you can just tell it’s a big club and they want to do well.
‘As I joined Carlisle, obviously, I played Portsmouth.
‘From then, they wanted me to come down. There were problems money-wise but they got it sorted and I was able to come down.
‘It didn’t need to be sold to me.
‘It’s such a big club and obviously to come in and help the club’s cause and get them up the league was good.
‘I’ve definitely seen enough of the club already to know how big it is.
‘Even before coming here I knew how big it was and after being with the lads just for a day I knew how good the club is.
‘It’s got a good family feel to it.’
Jervis was given a 27-minute outing at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday.
He handed Pompey another attacking dimension after replacing Paul Benson against the Sky Blues, with Izale McLeod’s equaliser arriving deep into injury-time.
That draw ended the seven-game losing run which had seen Pompey drop into the relegation zone as confidence ebbed away.
Jervis immediately noticed how the result has boosted spirits in the Pompey dressing room.
And he believes the return can inject impetus as Pompey prepare to travel to table-topping Tranmere next week.
There, Jervis is looking for a maximum return against the side he made five loan appearances for this season.
Jervis said: ‘After getting the point, the spirit of the camp has definitely lifted.
‘Obviously, going into the last minute and scoring the equaliser has lifted everyone.
‘I know everyone just wants to build on it and work for the club and get us higher up the league.
‘At the final whistle, everyone was happy and it left like a win. Obviously, it’s a boost with the way it has been recently.
‘Hopefully we can go to Tranmere now and get a win.’