"Just so clear to me" - Pundit makes clear Portsmouth FC claim amid struggles | OneFootball

Ali Maxwell does not believe there is any reason for concern at Portsmouth as their poor start to the season continues.

Pundit Ali Maxwell believes there is plenty of reason for optimism at Portsmouth despite their tough start to life back in the Championship.

Portsmouth are back in the second tier for the first time since 2012 after winning the League One title last season, but it has been a difficult start to the campaign for John Mousinho's side.

Pompey drew their opening three games of the season, but they suffered their third consecutive defeat as they were beaten 2-1 by Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday, with second half goals from Jeremy Sarmiento and Josh Brownhill sealing all three points for the Clarets after Callum Lang had put the visitors ahead just before the break.

It is widely acknowledged that Portsmouth have had a challenging run of fixtures in the early weeks of the season, but after failing to win any of their first six matches, they currently sit 23rd in the table, and it does not get any easier for them with a game against fifth-placed Sheffield United to come at Fratton Park on Saturday.

While such a start would normally bring pressure on a manager, Mousinho's position is safe after he signed a new contract at the club last week, along with sporting director Richard Hughes.

Ali Maxwell makes confident Portsmouth claim

Maxwell says that while Portsmouth are yet to win this season, he has been impressed by some of their performances, and he believes it was the correct decision for the club to give new deals to Mousinho and Hughes.

"It's just so clear to me, even as they keep failing to win their first game of the season, that this isn't one of those bad runs where a manager has lost his grip on the team and they don't know how to play," Maxwell said on the Not The Top 20 podcast.

"They are having spells in games where they are more than competitive, sometimes they are even the better side, during an incredibly difficult fixture list.

"I was pleased to see John Mousinho and Richard Hughes given new contracts, it was a show of confidence and commitment from the club that I think is merited.

"As far as I can see as well, the fan base are sticking with it and understanding of the situation.

"I think what they achieved last season, the more it fades into the rear-view mirror, the more people might slightly take it for granted, but that was a hell of a job from all involved and merits them having a longer shot at the Championship that other clubs and boards would give them.

"It was a good performance from them, that's what stood out for me."

John Mousinho will need to deliver at Portsmouth after contract news

Despite their winless start, Maxwell is right there have been some encouraging signs for Portsmouth this season, and it is tough to judge them given the tough fixture list they have had to contend with.

As a newly-promoted side, Pompey would arguably not have been expected to beat any of the teams they have played so far, so there is no reason for supporters to panic at this stage.

However, with a run of much more winnable fixtures coming up over the next few months, there will be pressure on Mousinho to guide his side away from the relegation zone and repay the faith the club have shown in him.

Given the outstanding job he has done at Fratton Park, Mousinho certainly deserves time, and it would be no surprise to see Portsmouth start to climb the table once they get their first victory on the board.