Pompey have started to find some solidity following a disappointing start to the season.
And now John Marquis wants to see more assured performances as they look to keep climbing the league table.
The striker netted the winning goal in Tuesday night’s victory over Lincoln and will be searching for more joy at Bristol Rovers on Saturday.
With several summer signings needing to settle in on the south coast, Marquis hopes that the Blues will soon start to click.
He said: “We’ve picked up results, but our performance levels haven’t quite reached the heights we’re capable of.
“Everyone knows that, with the players we have at the club, we should be playing better than we have been.
"I’m a positive person and we’re in a position where if we win the two games in hand, we’re around the play-off places."
“It is still early days in the season, although that’s not an excuse because I did think we’d have settled quicker than we have.
“There have been different combinations and formations tried and hopefully we can now go on a bit of a run.
“I’m a positive person and we’re in a position where if we win the two games in hand, we’re around the play-off places. That’s the way I prefer to look at it.
“The boys went off like a steam train last season and weren’t able to finish it off. We haven’t started as well this time, so let’s hope we do it the other way.
“There’s so much more to come from us and it’s only a matter of time before we find that confidence as a squad.”
Marquis has netted three goals since his Fratton return over the summer and was pleased to help secure three points against Lincoln.
He said: “It was a good feeling because it had been a few games since I’d last scored, although I haven’t had as many chances as I would have liked.
“I’m a goalscorer and my record in the past few years proves that. I know I’ll take the opportunities more regularly when they come along.
“It’s just a case of keep on making those runs and getting into the right areas, and eventually the ball will fall to me.”