Pompey's defensive showing will improve when they settle on a regular pairing in the centre of the backline.

Christian Burgess has never had the same partner for many games in a row this season as the Blues - now without Adam Webster - have alternated between Matt Clarke and Tom Davies.

Clarke appears to be Paul Cook's favoured choice alongside Burgess but has had a series of injury problems since late last season.

Alan Knight has played behind more than his fair share of central defensive partnerships in his time and believes that is where the Blues coaching staff will be concentrating their efforts as they seek to improve the goals-against record.

In his weekly column in The News, Knight said: 'We all know things have to change — and clearly there is time to do that. However, the defensive problems for Paul Cook have come centrally and that specifically needs to be addressed.

'If you break down the goals, those that stick out for me involve the Blackpool, Doncaster, Accrington and Notts County matches. There have been occasions when we haven’t dealt with the first ball into the box, whether a free-kick or a pass, and it has either not been cleared with distance or players haven’t reacted.

'Predominantly, that has involved the centre of defence. Obviously once the ball drops everybody is a defender, but before then there needs to be an improvement. In fairness to Cook, injuries to Matt Clarke have meant we haven’t been able to get a stable centre-half pairing running.

'That is the basis of creating an understanding, familiarity, a partnership operating week in, week out alongside each other. Christian Burgess and Clarke played alongside each other last season on occasions, but injury has restricted them this term.

That is the frustrating thing for the manager and must leave him scratching his head.'

Knight added: 'Paul Cook must get that defensive partnership right — and I’m not saying who it should be. But the chosen pair need a period of time together to show they can perform.'

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