Portsmouth boss Steve Cotterill is optimistic for the future despite their winless streak continuing at the weekend. Pompey were held to a goalless draw by Ipswich on Saturday but having been able to field new signings Liam Lawrence, Ricardo Rocha and Dave Kitson as well as hand Kanu a first start of the season, Cotterill is confident they will turn the corner soon.

"Hopefully we will come out of this sticky, horrible patch we've been in," he said.

"What we've got to remember is Ricardo Rocha, Kanu and Dave Kitson were having their first games of the season. So for us to keep going was great.

"We'll get better as the season goes on. It's a great football club and I'll get it back on its feet.

"We've got a couple of tough away games at Crystal Palace and Sheffield United now but we've got something to build on and hopefully with a fair wind we'll be ready for them."