The Pompey striker has been on the scoresheet in each of his team's first three games of pre-season.

Defoe isn't regarded as one of the most predatory finishers in the business for nothing, however.

The £7.5m hitman sets himself high standards, and he believes he should have a greater goal return under his belt at this stage.

Last Wednesday's clash at Exeter saw the 25-year-old pass up a number of opportunities, although he did tuck away a first-half penalty.

A foul on trialist OJ Krumah allowed him to tuck away another spot-kick at Swindon on Friday.

It was Defoe's strike at Bournemouth on Monday which really offered cause for excitement for Pompey fans, though.

The former Spurs striker started and finished the move, delivering a lovely exchange with Peter Crouch which sliced open the Cherries defence.

He feels that move was a result of perseverance from the pair. And he is hoping their determination to work at developing their own understanding will now pay off.

Defoe said: 'I think you have to keep trying to do things in a game. Some times it doesn't come off, but you have to keep trying.

'If you keep plugging away at it, it will come off once in 90 minutes. That's what happened with me and Crouchie for the fourth goal at Bournemouth.

'I've got three in three games now. It could have been more to be fair, though.

'I just want to get my fitness up to scratch at the moment.

'I want to be able to score goals and be in the best shape to do that when the season starts.'

Crouch hailed the improved quality of the team's second-half performance at Bournemouth on Monday.

He felt the supply lines to him and Defoe were vastly improved from the clash at Swindon.

And he thought that was positive for the season ahead.

Crouch said: 'I thought it took us a while to get going, but we were different class in the second half.

'If we play like we did in the second-half in the Premier League this season, we won't go too far wrong.

'Myself and Jermain were involved a lot. We worked well together.

'It was pleasing to get 90 minutes under my belt. You need to get minutes in pre-season.'