MIDFIELDER Gary O'Neil has hailed the impact of new manager Alain Perrin as Pompey achieved their first clean sheet in 14 games.

Pompey followed up only their second win of 2005 against Charlton by drawing at St Andrews on Saturday night.

O'Neil said: "There has definitely been an extra spring in the step of all the lads since Alain has come in.

"He's taken charge, he's told the lads what he wants, how he wants us to play and we've gone about it to the best of our ability.

"I didn't know who he was at all. All I knew was what was in the press, that he worked under Arsene Wenger and that he did well for Marseille, took them up and got them into Europe.

"All the credentials are there and hopefully he can transform us and get us into Europe at some stage."