Fresh slate for Pompey after poor run - Poole

Regan Poole says Portsmouth have a fresh slate as they return to Championship action after the international break.

Pompey entered the break winless in six games, losing four of them, and have slipped within four points of the relegation zone, while their 12 goals scored in 15 games is the second fewest in the division.

Poole, 27, has played every minute in the league so far and ahead of Saturday's visit of Millwall (15:00 GMT) he told BBC Radio Solent: "It's been a tough couple of months. From the last international break to this one has been pretty poor but it's a new slate, time to go again and put it behind us.

"Up until [the 4-0 defeat on 1 November at] Birmingham we were defensively very good. Then we conceded seven goals in the next two away games.

"It needs to be nipped in the bud - get back to being defensively solid. As a team we're lacking a bit of confidence and belief, we're not scoring enough goals as a team, but with a couple of bodies back now, things are looking a bit brighter."

Poole said the experienced players in the squad are helping to keep morale up and added: "We know we're not far away but certain things need to change. The Birmingham game doesn't define our season.

"We're looking to get back to being defensively solid and hitting the back of the net a few more times. We need to be better."

Seven points from their opening four games had the Blues in the play-off pack but just seven from the next 11 has seen them tumble down to 20th.

Last season Pompey earned 40 points from their 23 games at Fratton Park but they have won just two of their opening eight home games this season, taking eight points.

"We're hoping to turn our home form back to how it was last year," Poole added.

"This table changes very quickly. It's a crazy division. We know we can beat anyone but we need to go and prove that. The thing with us is confidence and belief."