JUSSI Jaaskelainen refuses to be deflected in his belief that Wanderers will again be challenging the best of the Premiership this season.

The Mighty Finn, who dominated the player of the year polls last season, has conceded five goals in two games - two of which have come from cruel ricochet's off unfortunate team-mates.

And, although the consequence is that Wanderers are under intense early season pressure going into tomorrow's game at Portsmouth, he is still convinced they will once again be fighting for a top six finish, as they have for the past four seasons.

"Our objective is quite simple: get our first win on the board," Jaaskelainen said, focusing on the Fratton Park game.

"Once we achieve that, we will be up and running and we'll have the ability to progress and be a force again.

"There is no reason why we can't be among the top 10, pushing for a top six finish again. There is plenty of strength in depth and with more effort and determination we will be back."

While admitting his concerns over the fact that Wanderers' inability to defend set-plays cost them dearly against Newcastle and Fulham, Jaaskelainen is keeping his fingers crossed that his luck will change.

Wrong-footed when Obafemi Martins' shot sliced off Abdoulaye Faye for Newcastle's third goal in Saturday's Premiership opener, he fell victim to an even bigger deflection at Fulham where he was left stranded after Alexey Smertin's long-range shot went in off Gerald Cid's shin.

"It is disappointing to concede soft goals," said a frustrated Jaaskelainen.

"Two goals of the five we have conceded this season have now come from wicked deflections. When you are committed and, when a deflection occurs it is difficult to react.

"It has happened in our last two matches now and it has led to two defeats. Last season we didn't concede one goal from a deflection, but sometimes it happens and you have to get on with it and not worry too much."

However, he echoed Sammy Lee's concerns over a spate of goals coming from poor defending of set-plays, adding: "That's the biggest disappointment.

"It is difficult to understand why all of a sudden we are defending poorly at set-plays. We have to put in the hard work on the training ground to make sure we iron out any mistakes."

A repeat of the clean sheet he kept at Fratton Park, where a Kevin Nolan goal secured Wanderers' first away win last season, would go a long way to easing the early-season pressure. And, although mindful that Harry Redknapp has a much stronger squad this time round, Jaaskelainen sees no reason why they shouldn't claim all three points again.

"Portsmouth are a fantastic side full of real quality," he said.

"Harry Redknapp has spent wisely in the summer and brought in some outstanding individuals.

"They have shown in their opening two matches that they are hard to beat and were good enough to get a point against Manchester United in midweek.

"Fratton Park is always a difficult place to go and get a result. We managed to do that last season, but we know with the additions they have made to their squad they are stronger than ever and we need to improve to kick start our season.

"But our squad is definitely stronger than it has been for a number of years and there is real quality across every position.

"The last two results are a minor blip and there is no reason why we can't turn the corner starting tomorrow."