"There should be some loyalty" - Portsmouth FC: Pundit delivers clear message on John Mousinho situation | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer believes that Portsmouth should give John Mousinho more time despite their horrid start to the season.

Portsmouth are having a very tough time in the Championship currently.

After over a decade away from the second tier, Portsmouth finally returned earlier this year after lifting the League One title under John Mousinho. There was a wonderful feeling at the club as they were back in the Championship after a lengthy spell in League One and Two.

However, that feeling of optimism and excitement is slowly slipping away as Pompey now find themselves rock bottom of the Championship after their first 14 games.

From those 14 games, their only win came away to fellow strugglers Queens Park Rangers, and aside from that, they have drawn six and lost seven.

They are far from down and out, but something does need to change reasonably quickly if they have hopes of remaining in the second tier for another year. Unfortunately, they are conceding far too many goals and are still in search of their first away win.

Carlton Palmer believes Pompey should stick with Mousinho

Unfortunately, Pompey's recent form will lead people to question Mousinho's job, but former England international and current pundit, Carlton Palmer, suggests that the club should show some loyalty towards him.

This is what Palmer said when speaking exclusively to Football League World.

"It's always difficult when you get promoted from one league to another. Portsmouth were outstanding last season in League One and got promoted to the Championship.

"They've found it difficult this term to get the wins. They've drawn six games and won one, and sit on nine points. I don't believe Mousinho's job should be under any kind of threat. There's a long way to go in the season. They are a little bit adrift now.

"They're five points from safety at the moment, and they've got a lot of work to do, but I don't think the manager's job should be in any kind of question, given the job Mousinho has done at Portsmouth.

"You know what owners are like, they're desperate, they want to retain their status, they have no patience, they have no loyalty, so it's a difficult one. For me, I don't think he should be in any danger of losing his job, even if they get relegated, there should be some loyalty.

"He could have moved on from the club given what he did last season. He has shown loyalty and stayed at the football club, so I don't believe there should be any threat to his job.

"I know they've had seven defeats, but they've had six draws and if two of those draws are wins, it puts them on 15 points. It's just about patience and then turning the tide."

Changing the manager at this stage is not the solution for Pompey

Portsmouth should remember that John Mousinho was the man to get them to the Championship in the first place. He built a real togetherness in the squad last season that ultimately earned them the League One title.

Pompey should absolutely show him loyalty and give him some more time to try and turn things around. The Championship is an incredibly tough league and one that Mousinho has never managed in, so it was always going to take time to find their feet.

Changing manager before Christmas could easily disrupt things and cause even more of a downfall, so Mousinho should be backed for the time being. As Palmer suggested, even if Pompey did get relegated this year, it would still make sense to keep Mousinho as their boss.