Danny Cowley can accept that his players will make mistakes during the course of a long League One season.
But he expects them to learn from any setbacks in order to improve and wants to see evidence of that against Ipswich this evening.
A second half capitulation ensured that Pompey left Rotherham on the back of a 4-1 defeat on Saturday.
Cowley is not interested in hearing any apologies and just wants to see them deliver a positive response.
The Blues boss said: “There was a natural disappointment after the weekend, but we have to get over that quickly and show our character.
“It’s about finding some solutions in order to respond – we’ve done that in the past and we’ll do it again.
“We’re on this journey at the moment and I’ve questioned how we react to adversity. Perhaps it’s in the script.
“These tests are coming and maybe off the back of this experience, we’ll come out of it better as a consequence. That’s what we have to believe.
“The players have owned their role in things – which is the first part. But holding your hand up and saying sorry isn’t really for me if I’m honest.
“I just don’t like people making the same errors twice. We can accept mistakes and it’s about what you learn from them.
“So we need to show more leadership and better game management. Guess what – we will have disappointments again this season.
"The players have owned their role in things – which is the first part. But holding your hand up and saying sorry isn’t really for me if I’m honest."
“That’s sport and it happens to everyone, but when it does come along again, our reaction must be a lot better.”
Ipswich are three places below Pompey in 15th position, but Cowley expects Paul Cook to lead them up the table.
He said: “Paul obviously did very well here as a manager and has been successful wherever’s he been.
“He’s probably the envy of the league in terms of the players he’s been able to bring in – there’s quality in every position.
“They’ve still found League One difficult, but I watched them live against Shrewsbury and they were worthy winners.
“In the games we’ve looked at, they certainly deserve more points than they’ve picked up in terms of how they’ve dominated.
“We understand the challenge that awaits, but are looking forward to the supporters getting behind us.”
The draw for the first round of the FA Cup on Sunday handed Pompey a home tie against Harrow Borough from the seventh tier.
Cowley said: “They’re a team I know well, having played and managed against them on a few occasions.
“It is tough getting to round one as a step three non-league side. I watched the highlights of their game against Chelmsford and they did well.
“We have to make sure that we approach that tie in the right manner when it comes around next month.
“I know how motivated they’ll be when they come to Fratton Park and we have to match that effort and attitude because we all know what surprises the FA Cup can bring.”