Kanoute: We will stop firing blanks

He said: "I don't think we set out our stall too defensively. It's just the way to play away from home. We've had success doing that and just because we've lost one game I don't think there should be a big inquest into why we are playing that way.

"We have got Michael Carrick and Sean Davis to come in so there's a lot of quality in the squad and we'll be picking up points again before long. The majority of the game we defended quite well. It was only 1-0, it was not like we were getting breached all the time."

Much to the annoyance of the Portsmouth's fans, Carrick made his long-awaited debut in a Spurs shirt after rejecting a summer move to Fratton Park.

The former West Ham midfielder and Kanoute, who is back from a hamstring injury, were introduced as 72nd-minute substitutes as Santini tried to rescue the match.

Before then, Portsmouth were on top with Robinson keeping Spurs in the match with fine saves from Yakubu and Patrik Berger.

Spurs' best spell came at the start of the second half when Anthony Gardner headed against the post and Jermain Defoe went close with a snapshot.

However, once Lomana Lua Lua scooted past makeshift full-back Gardner to set up Yakubu, the result never looked in doubt. Santini said: "A match is 90 minutes long but my team only played for 20 minutes. That's not enough if you want to win games at this level. I am disappointed because we lost and did not play well."

His frustration was shared by Michael Brown, who was hoping to make a good impression on his first league start in central midfield under Santini.

With Jamie Redknapp, Sean Davis, Carrick and Pedro Mendes vying for two slots, the former Sheffield United star is unsure whether he will keep his place for Saturday's home game with Bolton.

After being substituted to make way for Carrick, Brown said: "Central midfield is where I like to play so there was a chance for me and I think I did okay. I suppose, because we were chasing the game at 1-0 down, that didn't really help me.

"I was sacrificed which was a shame, but I was just happy to get a start and hopefully I can get a few more. Obviously, Jamie is available again after suspension on Saturday so only the manager knows if I will be playing."

A frequent goalscorer during his time in Sheffield, Brown admits being under instructions to curb his attacking instincts for the sake of Santini's tactics.

He added: "I have got to be next to Pedro and keep a shape. It's not about me scoring goals, it's about me doing what's right for the team and, if that's what I have to do, then so be it. Obviously I would love to get forward and get some goals, but the way we play it is difficult to do that.

"We've shut the back door and it seems to have worked - it's not like last year when the games were finishing 3-3 and 4-3. Overall, it's been a really good start for us but I think the real test is going to come now winter is setting in. We will have to show our true grit and dig in to get results."