Melchiot unhappy with Portsmouth performance and looking for good reaction

Speaking after Saturday's defeat at Fratton Park, Mario Melchiot admitted that the performance simply wasn't good enough, and that the team will strive to put things right on Sunday against Fulham.

"We had a slow start and, although it wasn't as bad as the one we had at Burnley, it took us a long time to get going," said Melchiot.

"By the time we woke up, we were 2-0 down, and it's too late for the manager to turn things round at half-time.

"We made it too difficult for ourselves. It was harder still when the third goal went in, and we couldn't turn things round.

"We have to understand that this type of game is the hardest for us to play. The crowd is really close to the pitch, and it's always a difficult place for any team to come.

"We weren't think about anything other than winning this game, and to get beat is very tough to take."

Although Latics were not at full strength, with Charles N'Zogbia filling in at leftback, the skipper refused to use this as an excuse, saying the team are good enough to cope in such circumstances.

He said: "As a team we should be able to cope with the loss of any player. Although Charles isn't really a defender, it doesn't really matter.

"You need to cope with the situation that you find yourself in and don't look for excuses like that.

"One change should not affect the other 10 players out on the pitch.

"It's uncomfortable when things like this happen, because it's the last thing that you want and you just don't expect it."

All eyes are on Fulham this weekend now, a game the skipper is eager to get a result from.

"But the most important thing is that we bounce back, and we learn from all the mistakes we have made.

"You win as a team and lose as a team but, as an individual, you need to focus on your own qualities and make sure you try to deliver as much as you can for the team.

"This was a big game for us and a game that we should have been looking at picking up points in.

"We have to make sure we work hard this week because we can't continue like this. We have to make sure we turn up from the start and not just later on."

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