John Mousinho warned that 'a change will happen' at Portsmouth FC - Fratton Park situation is 'simply unacceptable' | OneFootball

FLW's Portsmouth fan pundit has given his verdict on the future of manager John Mousinho as the club's poor run of form continues.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

It has been an incredibly disappointing start to the season for Portsmouth in the Championship, and pressure is starting to build on manager John Mousinho.

After a tough start to life back in the Championship, Portsmouth enjoyed an excellent second half of last season to pull clear of danger and secure a respectable 16th-placed finish, and there was plenty of hope they could build on that this campaign, particularly after some high-profile summer signings, including the return of attacking pair John Swift and Conor Chaplin.

The early signs were certainly positive for Pompey this season as they picked up seven points from their first four games, but they have fallen down the table dramatically in recent months after a run of just two wins in their last 14 games.

Portsmouth suffered their second consecutive defeat as they were beaten 1-0 by Bristol City at Fratton Park on Saturday, with Anis Mehmeti's 17th-minute header sealing a deserved victory for the Robins, and home supporters made their frustration clear throughout the game and at the full-time whistle.

The result saw Pompey drop into the relegation zone on goal difference, and while Mousinho admitted post-match that it is "a real concern" how his side "fall apart" in difficult moments, he insisted that "there is no panic" with "plenty of time left in the season".

However, it seems the patience of some Portsmouth supporters may be wearing thin after watching their side lose at home for the fifth time in the league this season, which is as many as they lost in the entirety of the previous campaign.

John Mousinho questioned after Portsmouth calls in Bristol City defeat

When asked if Mousinho's position should be under pressure, FLW's Portsmouth fan pundit Miltos Ioannidis admitted that, while he still has a lot of respect for the 39-year-old given the job he has done at Fratton Park, he should be questioned for some of his recent tactical decisions, including not making a triple change until after the 80th minute against Bristol City on Saturday.

"It's a tough time to be a Pompey fan," Miltos told FLW.

"Fingers can point towards different directions, and rightfully so, whether that is the ownership, John Mousinho or Richard Hughes, I just think everyone has to take part of the blame for why we've started this season so atrociously bad.

"From the manager's point of view, one win in nine and two wins in 14 is an awful return, it's definitely relegation form, and it's simply unacceptable.

"I love John Mousinho, he's a legend for everything he's done here, but I don't think he's immune to criticism or people questioning his decisions, especially as of late.

"Whether we're talking about in-game decisions, substitutions or tactical decisions, it almost feels as if we don't give ourselves the best possible opportunity to win a football game at all times, which is incredibly frustrating.

"Take yesterday's game for example, why take so long to make substitutions yet again?

"We started the game badly in the first 20–25 minutes, then we managed to balance the game out a little bit, but in the second half, why take 80 minutes to bring on Yang Min-hyeok, for example?

"Why keep Colby Bishop on for 90 minutes for yet another game, even if he offers us nothing? I don't understand.

"These are decisions that people have more than enough right to question."

John Mousinho sent clear Portsmouth warning amid poor run of form

While Miltos claimed that there are other issues at Portsmouth, such as a lack of squad depth and the struggles of key players such as Colby Bishop, he warned Mousinho that a managerial change will eventually have to be made if the current trend continues.

"Ultimately, I don't think it's entirely down to Mousinho," Miltos said.

"You look at Bishop, who is a player I have infinite respect for, but right now, he's just not cutting it.

"He doesn't offer us that physical presence that he's supposed to be offering us.

"He needs a rest, and we need something new, but we don't seem to have someone who can come in and replace him.

"Lack of competition is a real problem at this club right now, not just for Bishop, but he is a clear example.

"I think the boos were totally justifiable, we've been below par.

"Last week we had a very good opportunity to capitalise on not just a very good result, but also a very good performance against Millwall, it was the kind of performance we haven't seen for a very long time.

"Not only were we not able to do that, we then went on and produced two catastrophic performances in a row against Sheffield United and Bristol City.

"If this form keeps going, then logic says that a change will happen somewhere, but I don't think it will be enough.

"Even if we were to sack to John Mousinho today, who would come in and make this team instantly better and instantly click?

"I just don't see someone willing to come in and take this challenge right now or who can make this team better in a very quick amount of time.

"Some of the problems are way deeper than just the manager, but sadly, if we continue to go down this path of having a bad run of form, then a change will happen.

"Danny Cowley was sacked after one win in 14, John Mousinho is now on two wins in 14, but he has got plenty of credit in the bank for everything he has done with us, so I can see him lasting a bit longer than that.

"But, regardless, something needs to change, and drastically, in the way that we play."

Portsmouth facing huge John Mousinho decision as relegation fears increase

After a disappointing start to last season, Portsmouth handed Mousinho a new long-term contract in what was a big show of faith, but their patience in the head coach will be tested if the current run of results continues.

Pompey worked incredibly hard to get back to the Championship, and they will be reluctant to give up their second tier status, so after dropping into the relegation zone for the first time this season, scrutiny on Mousinho will now start to intensify.

It looked as though the signings of Swift and Chaplin, along with some exciting additions from abroad, would help Portsmouth kick on this season, but it has not worked out that way, and their poor home form is particularly alarming given how much of a fortress Fratton Park was last season.

Mousinho has transformed Pompey since taking over almost three years ago, so he certainly deserves more time to turn his side's fortunes around, but the club's hierarchy could soon have a big decision to make if things do not improve in the coming weeks.