Portsmouth have 'mentality issue' - Mousinho

Portsmouth are yet to win at home this season

John Mousinho says Portsmouth can still turn their season around despite some demoralising defeats, but has indicated there's a "mentality issue" within his squad.

Pompey picked up their first win of the season away at QPR last weekend but sit rock bottom of the Championship, level with the Hoops on eight points after a 2-0 defeat to Cardiff in midweek.

Mousinho's side have failed to win any of their five home games in the Championship this season - their longest wait for a league win from the start of a campaign since 2005-06, when they went seven matches without victory in the Premier League.

On Friday they welcome Sheffield Wednesday to Fratton Park with the Owls 18th after 11 games with 12 points.

"I’ve got the confidence in the squad because I’ve seen the quality and that’s the most frustrating thing," Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent.

"Some games we’ve been unlucky to not come away with points and there’s also been moments we have shown real quality and look like a good side.

"I’ve seen more than enough to know that we have got enough to turn this around but we have to be a lot more consistent."

In the first half of Tuesday's loss at Cardiff, Mousinho's side looked at times like they could have conceded more than the two that they did.

The home side took an early lead as Regan Poole’s own goal and Callum Robinson’s close-range finish put them 2-0 up after 13 minutes.

An improved second-half performance saw them finish the game with just the 2-0 scoreline but they sustained a number of key injuries with Nicolas Schmidt, Paddy Lane and Jordan Williams forced off.

"It seems to me there’s a mentality issue because we have switched off in big moments," Mousinho added

"To start the game as slowly as we did at Cardiff is something that I and my staff need to think about as to what we are preparing players for.

"Failing to defend the set-pieces were big, not defending the throw for the first goal and then the corner for the second, for me that is not anything but a mentality and lack of desire to defend the goal and the box."