Blues boss calls for hard graft after missed chances

But the Blues caretaker boss told his men they have to get out on the training pitch to put the seven-game streak of defeats to bed.

Pompey were lifeless and lacked graft in the first-half at Fratton Park tonight as they eventually fell to a 3-2 defeat.

They ended their run without a goal after 546 minutes when Izale McLeod scored a penalty after missing from the spot in the first-half.

But Whittingham felt that counted for little in the final reckoning.

He said: ‘We created chances in the second half and perhaps should have scored more goals than we did.

‘Izale McLeod showed bottle to take that second penalty after missing the first one.

‘We finally broke the scoring drought but it doesn’t mean a lot if you lose.

‘You can tell the players are struggling with their confidence.

‘But there’s no secret to it – we just have to get out on the training pitch and work.’