'It’s our fault': Honest response from Portsmouth dressing room amid recent fan criticism

An honest Zak Swanson has responded to supporter criticism in the aftermath of Sunday’s south-coast derby defeat to Southampton.

But the Pompey favourite is adamant his side have put their St Mary’s frustrations after bouncing back with maximum points against Sheffield United on Wednesday.

Their derby-day defeat has been marked as a ‘really bad day’ for John Mousinho’s side, who slipped to a 1-0 reverse to their bitter rivals at St Mary’s on the weekend, by Swanson.

Despite playing with a man advantage for more than half of the encounter, the Blues couldn’t find a breakthrough and fell to their first defeat on enemy territory in more than 21 years.

The display understandably drew criticism from supporters, which later saw Mousinho launch an impassioned response in his press conference ahead of Wednesday’s contest with Sheffield United.

And Swanson, who shone in the 3-2 success over the Blades, understands the fan frustration after a mixed start to the campaign.

Honest response from Pompey dressing room after fan frustration

Speaking to The News, he said: ‘Myself and in fact everyone was devastated on Sunday.

‘Coming off the pitch and when we were stood in front of the fans, I can only speak on personal belief but I was absolutely devastated that day.

‘It’s our fault. We’re the only players on the pitch who can affect it so we’ve taken the blame for that and we take ownership of that and we have to work to get better, work to win those types of games because we had a really good opportunity.

‘But we had the same opportunity tonight and yes we won but we have to learn to play better against 10 men and things like that.

‘We said to each other as a group after Sunday that we have to bounce back and Wednesday was the perfect game to bounce back and we have won.

‘I can understand that there has been criticism this year, every player takes that on board and you definitely know about that here.

‘It’s a football club that you’re going to get criticised for certain things but us as senior players have to help the team through that.

‘We’ve got another game Saturday and next week we’ve got two games. There’s plenty of games and picking up points so we can move forward.’

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Sheffield United win ‘massive’ for Pompey

Pompey did respond after their derby disappointment, with a 3-2 triumph over Sheffield United on Wednesday.

Swanson, Adrian Segecic and Ebou Adams all netted in the encounter, which did see the Blades level at 2-2 despite being down to 10 men.

And the right-back is adamant the Blues’ midweek win will be ‘massive’ for the Blues moving forward.

‘The way it went, it was a really bad day for us as a football club. But this is what is the good thing about football is that you do have a chance to bounce back and we had to come in tonight knowing what that comes with.

‘We had to drive it today and I think we did that. Going 2-0 up and with what happened on the back of that, to get the three points was massive for us as a team and as a club moving forward.’

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