Opinion: More needed from Portsmouth's front four who lack consistency and quality

Not the quick start to the season we were all hoping for?

Yeah, far from it, actually.

It was a laboured performance with little to get excited about until maybe the last 15 minutes.

But even then Pompey didn’t look like finding the answers to unlock Shrewsbury.

They had a few half-chances, with Tom Naylor’s header hitting the crossbar, but I doubt their keeper was quaking in his boots.

He had little to do all day and no doubt Sam Ricketts will have been the happier of the two managers at the final whistle.

Why did it not go according to plan?

I blame the forwards to be honest, and Kenny Jackett for not getting the best out of them.

On paper, the front four look okay, while we all know what Ronan Curtis and Marcus Harness have in their locker.

Yet, for some reason it just doesn’t seem to click.

There’s plenty of effort but as an attacking unit they sometimes lack creativity, something to turn the game on its head.

On the match commentary, Guy Whittingham mentioned how a piece of magic from the likes of Jamal Lowe would have won Pompey a game like that.

But, unfortunately, we’re always waiting on that to happen with what we’ve currently got.

Curtis can do it, but I sometimes feel he goes missing in games – probably more often than I would like.

Meanwhile, Harness needs to develop his consistency. I do think he can be a big player if he can perform on a more regular basis.

I do think we need a No10.

I like Evans’ hard work, passion and determination, but is he going to be the playmaker we need to win promotion? I doubt it.

We need someone in there to pull the strings and give the likes of John Marquis the service he needs for him to start banging the goals in.

Lee Brown’s inclusion in the starting XI surprised many.

I have to admit, I think Brown gets an unnecessary hard time among sections of the supporters.

To me, he was one of Pompey’s best players and again proved his worth to the team.

His deliveries are good, he gets forward plenty, and even looked more of a threat in front of goal than Curtis and Marquis.

There may be better out there, and maybe Cameron Pring will overtake him at some point this season, but he’s been good anytime I’ve seen him recently – including the Oxford play-off games.

He’s dependable and at the minute is standing out for his performances ahead of others.

Would Pompey have won that game against Shrewsbury if Lee Brown was not in the team – I hardly think so.

Is Jack Whatmough the answer to Pompey’s centre-back search?

I don’t see why not.

I thought he was excellent on Saturday and looked a bit of a rock at the back.

I worry about his previous injuries and the risk of overplaying him.

Kenny Jackett therefore needs to continue looking for a replacement for Christian Burgess – as Paul Downing’s clearly not his cup of tea, despite signing him.

However, if Jack’s fit, he’s clearly our best defender and we need to build around him.