Lowe: Time for me to up Pompey goal threat

The attacking talent’s performance was one of the few bright spots in a desperate 3-1 loss at Southend.

But Lowe is frustrated he’s not producing more end product for his side, as they struggle for results.

It’s just a single goal in 30 appearances for the 23-year-old, who has five finishes to his name this term.

Brett Pitman has grabbed 15 goals this term with Oli Hawkins the next highest finisher on seven.

Conor Chaplin joins Lowe on five goals this season – and the former Hampton & Richmond man knows that’s not good enough.

He said: ‘I need to score more – 100 per cent.

‘We need to do that as team really. Besides Brett Pitman there’s not a big scorer.

‘There’s a big gap between him and the rest, so we need to close that gap and help him.

‘Both the full-backs are very good crossers of the ball.

‘Sometimes you can afford to let them get on with it and get yourself into the box.

‘You know there’s going to be good delivery from them, but sometimes I’m the one putting it in. You can mix it up.

‘It’s finding the balance. I can’t leave them out there to beat their man every time, but I need to score more.’

Lowe went close to scoring at Southend with a shot across the face of goal with 10 minutes remaining.

It was his running with the ball which offered a threat to the home side, but Lowe feels he has to up the general level of his performances.

He said: ‘It’s been tough for everyone, myself included.

‘The results we’ve been picking up have been up and down. We need to find that consistent level.

‘If we find that it will be when the run starts again.

‘When I’ve got the ball I can do things.

‘We had a good amount of possession. We had a chance to play a bit and they didn’t press that high as some do.

‘It gave us the chance to create chances and get the ball down.

‘But we really need to start putting chances away as well.

‘It comes from everyone. We have to pull together.’

It’s defensive areas which are also causing Pompey real issues at present.

The loss to Southend means it’s now 12 games since Kenny Jackett’s men kept a clean sheet.

Lowe said: ‘If you’ve conceded a good goal and there’s nothing you can do you’d put your hands up. You’d say fair enough.

‘But we’ve given away some very average sloppy goals.

‘They could have been prevented and it’s costing us.

‘From the players and the staff, it’s clear it’s not acceptable.

‘It’s not a run you want to be on.

‘We haven’t picked up many points this year and we expect more of each other.

‘We’ve got quality players all the way through our team so it’s hard to put a finger on why it’s happening.

‘We just need to eradicate these silly goals.

‘No one’s scoring 25 yarders into the top corner. They’re scoring little scruffy bobbly goals. They’re pinball goals in the six-yard box and that can be hard to take.’