Teams could suffocate us: Danny Cowley details why Portsmouth are now better equipped to take on Ipswich Town, Sheff Wed, Derby County, Plymouth Argyle & Co

And the Blues boss has highlighted the striker’s ability to stop teams hurting his side over his goal threat, as the key factor in improving his new outfit after his summer arrival.

Bishop has become an immediate fans’ favourite bagging six goals to date, after joining from from Accrington Stanley for £500,000.

But Cowley explained it’s the powerful front man’s ability to provide a focal which has stopped team’s smothering Pompey, as they could last term.

He said: ‘He’s made us a better team.

‘He’s given us a forward to play into and up to.

‘We didn’t have that last year and as a result teams could come and suffocate us.

‘I remember away from home we were playing quite well in a number of games, but ended up losing by a goal because we lost the ball in our own half and the other team scored.

‘That happened because we didn’t have anything to get teams off us.

‘Sometimes you have to be able to play over the press. Colby wins it and links the play.

‘When he does that for five to 10 minutes, the opponent has to go and stop that.

‘That then gives you the space to build and control the rhythm of the game.

‘To have those attributes at this level is so important and he gives us that.

‘You can play into him but also up to him. He’s going to score goals but he’s also going to create them.

‘His intensity against the ball is excellent for a player of that profile.

‘He’s able to give us good, honest energy against the ball. We love him to press with aggression and close the net.’

Cowley cited the 1-0 loss at Sunderland in January, as an example of a defeat he would be hopeful Pompey could now avoid with Bishop in the side.

He added: ‘I can remember games when we had a good start and then lost a goal like Sunderland, when Hayden Carter lost the ball.

‘There were a number of games away from home we ended up losing by the odd goal.

‘It was because we had to take too much risk and had no one to play into or up to.

‘You could play beyond George. He was very good when he had his hips and shoulders down the pitch, but not so much with his back to goal. Colby gives us that.’