John Mousinho says some 'moans and groans' from fans are underatandable as Pompey struggle for results and form - so now he wants his team to halt such reactions by getting back on the right Championship path.

The Blues head to Charlton on Saturday with just one win and one draw from their past eight games - only Sheff Wed have taken fewer points in that period - and all at Fratton know a six-game run in December is crucial if they're to stay away from a season-long relegation battle.

Mousinho is under no illusions about the task ahead and told the club media: 'We’re on the same points as last season, but were on an upward curve then and now need to find that again to start climbing the league. This period has seen us beaten by Coventry who are clear at the top of the table and lose to Birmingham who are blowing everyone away.

'It was tight against Stoke and we certainly weren’t terrible, although it’s probably a game we should have won. So we’ve not been too bad, but the concerning thing for me was not taking momentum after that win over Millwall.

'It felt like we were on the up again after that, only to shoot ourselves in the foot during the first 25 minutes against Bristol City – from that point we showed we’re more than a match for them.

'We know we have to put our finger on where we aren’t quite getting it right and there are clearly things we need to fix.'

The boss praised the fan-base, saying: 'I have to say that the support is still incredible. There were understandably a few moans and groans at half-time and the final whistle last week, but the fans generally stuck behind us.

'It’s sold out again on Saturday and the backing we receive is one of the best things about being at this football club.'

Mousinho said the Addicks were 'very good' in defeat at Coventry last week and unlucky not to get anything. 'They’re a side that shuffle the deck in terms of system and personnel. We can try to predict what they do, but have to be ready for anything.

'With both sides in a bit of poor form, it means it’s a huge game in the season – get the right result and we can be within three points of them. It’s the start of a massive week for us, with Charlton, Swansea and Blackburn all close to us. It adds to the gravity of this period.

'They’re still going to be incredibly tough matches, but it’s a chance to put a few things to bed and show what we can do at this level.'

Andre Dozzell is suspended but Harvey Blair is fit again.

Photo: Action Images

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