Portsmouth boss Tony Adams intends to restore the heart to his Pompey team following the departures of key midfielder Pedro Mendes, Sulley Muntari and Lassana Diarra. Adams said: "The change of personnel does not help. The midfield from the FA Cup final has been pretty much ripped out.
"Pedro, Sulley and now Lassie have gone and that is the heart of your team and your protection for the defence. If you ripped them out of any squad they would struggle.
"But I will pick up the pieces, work with the lads here and try to get some results.
"I feel we have struggled with the balance of the squad all season, irrespective of who we have sold and I have been constantly looking for areas to strengthen.
"I would love to play the same XI week in, week out at the moment but that is not the case. I have not played the same team since I have been here and I would like to.
"I would love to have a settled back four, absolutely, the last clean sheet was against West Ham and we need to keep working.
"A settled midfield as well, that is just as important. At the moment though it is not happening."