Portsmouth: John Mousinho targets key run of games for Pompey turnaround

Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Bristol City was a fifth in 10 league games at Fratton Park and Mousinho said: “The biggest disappointment is we shot ourselves in the foot with that disastrous opening 25 minutes, it isn’t good enough, it’s something we need to try and change.”

Pompey fans let their feelings be known at points in the first half and at both the half-time and full-time whistle, and Mousinho said he had sympathy with them.

“I am not saying this to try and curry favour with the fans, but honestly, it wasn’t that bad considering the performance,” he said.

“There were certain moments in the first 25 minutes when I thought (the crowd might turn), but I thought the atmosphere was pretty good, considering.

“Of course at the final whistle fans aired that frustration but I thought it was pretty mild and understandable considering what the fans saw for that opening part of the game.”

Pompey now face three of the five sides immediately above them in an eight-day spell, starting with the trip to Charlton on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

“Because of both sides’ poor form it’s a massive game, it’s hugely important,” Mousinho said.

“It’s a really good opportunity. We have a massive week with Charlton, Swansea and Blackburn to really put to bed what we’ve been doing (wrong) over the past six weeks.”