Mousinho focused on turning around Pompey's form

John Mousinho doesn't feel there are many parallels to draw between Portsmouth's start to this season compared to their last campaign.

That's despite this season's league table looking almost identical to last year's at this stage.

After 18 games last season Pompey were on 17 points and outside the Championship relegation zone on goal difference. This year, they have the same points total from the same number of games - but are in the relegation zone on goal difference.

Despite the similar data, Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent: "I think it's probably gone the opposite way to where we went last year.

"We had a very strong start to this season (but) things have gone downhill unfortunately, we haven't had the momentum we thought we would have after the Millwall game (losing the next two after a 3-1 win on 22 November).

"Last year I don't think we competed for the first eight to 10 games - the story was very good home form and dismal away from home. There are not too many similarities, even though we are on the same number of points.

"This time last year we were talking about being on an upward trajectory (but) as we are at the minute we need to turn it around and make sure we pick up points to start climbing the league."

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."