Stoke defeat left Portsmouth's Pack 'embarrassed'
Marlon Pack captained Portsmouth as they won promotion last season from League One
- Published
Portsmouth were "unrecognisable" in their 6-1 defeat by Stoke on Wednesday, according to captain Marlon Pack.
Stoke striker Tom Cannon scored four times as Pompey suffered their heaviest defeat since losing 6-0 to Manchester City in 2008.
"We were unrecognisable, I’m embarrassed," Pack told BBC Radio Solent.
"We need to have a good look in the mirror because what we’re doing right now isn’t good enough. This league is cut-throat.
"I wouldn't say that was the final straw because we do have 30-odd games to go but it was a real wake-up call for this group."
The Blues are still yet to win in the Championship this season, picking up four draws and losing the other four of their eight games.
John Mousinho's side have, however, struggled with injuries, with strikers Colby Bishop and Kusini Yengi among those missing.
Bishop, who netted 21 times in 44 league appearances last season, was ruled out for a prolonged period of time at the start of the campaign after being recommended to undergo heart surgery.
Yengi's absence with a groin injury has also been felt after he scored 13 goals across all competitions last term.
On Saturday, the Blues welcome fellow-promoted side Oxford United to Fratton Park.
The U's have started the campaign well, winning three games and drawing two on their first return to the second tier of English football in 25 years.
Des Buckingham's side won promotion last season via the play-offs, beating Bolton Wanderers 2-0 in the final at Wembley, with both goals scored by now Portsmouth player Josh Murphy.
"We’re coming up against an Oxford side on Saturday that have started the league really well, we have to pick ourselves up," Pack added
"For us as a group the bare minimum is that we have to stand up and go out and perform. These words mean nothing though unless we get a result at the weekend."