Skipper says Pompey have to accept criticism
It is a thankless task doing post-match interviews following a defeat.
Shirk them and fans will rightly demand to know why players are hiding away from their responsibilities.
But explanations and analysis will often be misinterpreted for platitudes and excuses by the Fratton faithful.
So – following their 2-1 home loss to Doncaster – Michael Doyle knows that actions will speak louder than words.
Pompey’s skipper said: “Standing here talking isn’t the way to fix it, but this is part of the job that you have to do.
“We know we just have to grind out results, although most teams that win promotion have a bad phase of the season.
“The last couple of results have knocked us and there’s a bit of negativity flying around from the fans – and rightly so.
“We’re disappointed and there’s a lot of frustration. Supporters will question players, but we have to take that on the chin.
“It doesn’t have to be pretty now. We just need to pick ourselves up and get a result away from home to get the confidence back up.
“There was perhaps an expectation that we’d run away with the division and now there’s some doubt creeping in, but the only people who can change that is the players.”
John Marquis and Andy Williams were both on target as Doncaster eased into a two-goal lead, with Carl Baker’s strike ultimately proving no more than a consolation.
Doyle said: “We didn’t start well enough and that has also been an issue in previous games.
“In the past we’ve gone on to win, but this time we found ourselves two goals down against a quality side.
“For us it’s just a case of cutting out the individual mistakes and perhaps battling it out in those early stages of the game.
“We’re giving away silly goals – it’s not like teams are earning the right to score by cutting us open. We need to cut that out."