John Mousinho says making wholesale team changes can be 'over the top' - and has indicated he does not want to do that when Pompey host Blackburn in what feels like a must-win game on Saturday.

After defeats to Sheffield United, Bristol City and Swansea, in which Pompey have not scored, many fear a long relegation battle lies ahead. But Mousinho, while admitting Rovers' visit to Fratton is massive, says this is no time for the Blues to feel sorry for themselves.

He told club media: 'We’re trying different systems and personnel, so it’s a frustrating time for us at the moment. We did a lot of the basics very well on Tuesday and didn’t look short in some areas – such as a back four that was somewhat patched together.

'If we hadn’t conceded that late goal and came away with a 0-0 draw, then we’d probably all be saying it’s a solid platform to build on. So the key is not to go too far over the top and make wholesale changes, which we have done at times this season.

'We need coaches to come up with solutions, players to get together and step up and the mentality to attack the game on Saturday. There are areas we clearly need to address, but we also have to give the players as much confidence as possible so they can click.

'Regardless of what happened in south Wales on Tuesday night, this was always going to be a huge game for us. Three of our next four are at Fratton Park and we have to play sides – including Blackburn – who are around us in the table.

'So there is no time to feel sorry for ourselves and let recent results fester because we’re a couple of wins away from getting ourselves in a much better position.

'I know what we’ll get from the fans and we have to try to feed off their energy. We can’t start how we did in the last home game against Bristol City or it could turn. They’ve been more than fair and given us enough chances – now it’s up to us to repay them for that backing.'

Regan Poole looks certain to miss out but Josh Knight could be available to return to the squad. Otherwise, if Mousinho is to be believed, don't expect too many changes from the side that lost at Swansea on Tuesday.

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