Africans wilt as Pompey slump goes on

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Even before they head off next month to the African Nations Cup in Ghana, there are ominous signs that Papa Bouba Diop, John Utaka and Kanu are running out of steam.

The defeat against Middlesbrough at Fratton Park extended a miserable run that has now seen Portsmouth take only one point from four games over the festive season and they have not scored at home in nine hours of action since September.

Worse still for Redknapp, Middlesbrough's victory was engineered by Gary O' Neil, the former England Under 21 midfielder who the Portsmouth boss sold to the visitors in the summer for £5million to help finance his African imports. Before he limped off in the 86th minute, O'Neil was a bundle of energy and could even have scored the winner against his old club.

His far-post effort in the 20th minute, although partially stopped by David James, was rolling towards the line when Tuncay Sanli raced in to crash the ball home and claim the goal.

That at least allowed O'Neil to join in Boro's celebrations and spared him the angst of deflating the South Coast fans who had admired his career at the club he joined at 13.

"It was good to get a nice reception back here and I know the fans still appreciate the job that I did," he said.

"But it was was great to have played a part in the goal, although I wouldn't have celebrated had it gone in. As it was, Tuncay had the final touch so I felt I could celebrate."

O'Neil would still like to see Portsmouth get back on track and earn a UEFA Cup place at the end of the season.

"I'd be surprised if the wheels come off now for Pompey after the great start they made this season," he said.

"Everyone goes through a tough spell at some stage and they're struggling to score at home which is a problem.

"But I'd be surprised if they grind to a halt and would expect them to kick on again soon.

"I've still got a lot of friends around the club and I'm glad they're doing so well.

"I'd love them to get into Europe this season. I'll just be a bit disappointed that I'll have missed it if they do achieve it."

The closest Portsmouth went to breaking their home goal famine was just after half-time when Kanu stuck out a foot and hit a post from close range during a goalmouth scramble.

Otherwise the Nigerian and strike partner Benjani, served poorly from Diop in particular from midfield, were totally dominated by Boro's defensive pillars, Jonathan Woodgate and Robert Huth.

Redknapp has refused to reveal whether Portsmouth's benefactor Alexandre Gaydamak intends to release more funds for him to spend in the transfer window, although the fact that he was talking only about searching for loan players suggests the purse strings may have been tightened after his £23m summer spree.

"To find strikers is not easy and that is the area in which I do feel we are a bit short," said Redknapp, who admitted he is frustrated to see players like Jermain Defoe at other clubs sitting on the substitutes' bench.

"You're not going to get them, are you? They are going to want big money for those players so I wouldn't see a real possibility of them being let go.

"Benji has exceeded all expectations to score nine goals, done fantastically but Kanu looked tired today. Two games in four days has taken its toll on him.

"Arsenal can afford to leave out Adebayor, Arsene Wenger can afford to make changes and that's a luxury I don't have."

While Redknapp was clearly upset by Portsmouth's lack of penetration, Gareth Southgate was delighted with the way his players bounced back after successive defeats against Birmingham and West Ham.

He said: "People might have looked at this fixture and thought that at times we could be a bit of a soft touch. But it pleases me that we came to Portsmouth and showed plenty of character and resilience.

"We showed all the qualities we didn't show in the defeats against West Ham and Birmingham and it just shows you what you can achieve."