The Pompey assistant boss believes the Blues have to adapt to get the most out of the pair in a 4-4-2 system this season.

And he feels the two strikers (right) have to deliver for their team on the back foot if their side are going to continue to be as resilient as ever.

Harry Redknapp is likely to make the traditional English formation his team's primary shape for the coming campaign.

That comes after Redknapp paid £11m to partner Crouch with Defoe up front.

The move will mean a departure from the 4-3-3-cum-4-5-1 system which served Pompey so well last season.

Adams believes the side have to get to grips with how to best utilise the the team's two-pronged attack.

And he insisted it is crucial they do their bit to ensure their side remain solid.

Adams said: 'When I first came here we played a 4-4-2 and we had plenty of legs in the team.

'Maybe they weren't as technically gifted as the squad we have now, but they worked hard.

'We played a high-tempo game then.

'Last year was very different. I proposed a new challenge.

'That meant moving to a three in the middle of midfield.

'That got Sulley Muntari and our other best players into the team.
'So we used 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 and it worked for us.

'We got an FA Cup medal on the back of that, and picked up a lot of results away from home.

'This season presents another challenge.

'The two players up front need to do their bit for the team, and we've been working on that.

'And we need to get the best out of them.

'Technically the level has gone up from when I was first here.

'Now we need to get the players into a 'Portsmouth' way of play.

'They need to work for the team defensively and use the assets they have offensively.

'We're getting them into shape – and showing them how we are going to play this season.

'I will be interested to see if they can deliver.'

Pompey stunned the world when they won the FA Cup last season.

But equally as encouraging for Adams was the club's best-ever Premier League finish off eighth.

A repeat of hitting that mark would represent more cause for celebration for Redknapp's assistant.

Adams said: 'We have been getting top-10 finishes. More of the same would be good. Even 11th or 12th wouldn't be a disaster.'