Skipper says Pompey need to grind out results
Johnny Ertl believes grit and determination are needed to save Pompey’s season.
The Blues have now gone nine matches without a win following a 2-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers.
That result saw John Ward’s side leapfrog Pompey – who are now just two points above the drop zone – in the League Two table.
And Ertl wants to see some battling performances over the hectic Christmas schedule.
The Blues skipper said: “When we came in at half-time I thought we were still in the game. We had two really great chances and we should have scored.
“But we have to improve because the second half performance wasn’t great and everybody knows that.
“We all have to look at ourselves in the mirror and understand that we need to move up a level.
“There are a lot of games coming up now over Christmas and we have to put things right.
“We need to start scoring the first goal in games and then make it hard for our opponents to break us down.
“There needs to be bodies thrown on the line in order for us to be able to grind out a result.
“Everybody makes mistakes – that’s part of football. But we need to be brave and committed, while sticking together as a team.
Pompey host Dagenham & Redbridge on Boxing Day before matches against Northampton, Southend and Accrington.
Ertl said: “We have to respond as quickly as possible because of what lies ahead for us in the next couple of weeks.
“You look at the table and it’s clear that there are games coming up we have to win – it’s as simple as that. We need to roll our sleeves up and just go for it.”