Jack Whatmough's heartfelt message to Portsmouth fans as season stalls at Doncaster

And the club’s longest-serving player insisted the character in the current dressing room is the best he’s known in his time at Fratton Park.

Blues fans were left fuming after their side were left looking over their shoulders in the play-off hunt after the 2-1 defeat at Doncaster

Pompey were left to rue a formation switch to a back three, which failed and was ditched after 25 minutes as they fell a goal behind.

A second goal followed for the home side in the second half before John Marquis’ late consolation, but it’s now four points for Kenny Jackett’s side from a possible 15.

Gosport boy Whatmough fronted up after the latest disappointment on his first start for seven games.

And with so much anger present among fans he called for unity at a crucial point in the season

Whatmough said: ‘I’ve been in and around this first team for seven years - and this is the best group I’ve been involved with in terms of team spirit.

‘People just need to stick with us because it will tun around.

‘I’ve been here a long time and been in a lot of different dressing rooms - and this is the best one.

‘There’s a real togetherness. Everyone is here for the same reason - to get promotion - and we’ve spoken about that after the game.

‘We all want promotion and we won’t stop working towards that.

‘It’s not going for us at the moment, but stick us because we’ve got the ability and the squad to turn in around.

‘We’ve definitely got the characters in the dressing room to do it.’

Whatmough accepted it’s clear it’s not clicking for Pompey at present after one win in five games.

It means they will fall out of the play-offs if Doncaster and Ipswich below them win their games in hand.

The 24-year-old was at pains to promise fans the players are feeling as exasperated as they are.

He added: ‘It’s frustrating and we as players are as frustrated as anyone.

‘Maybe it’s easy to say but from the board to the players to the fans we want the same thing.

‘So stick with us and we’ll turn it around. It’s not clicking but it will, so stick with us.

‘There’s a lot of points to be played for and there’s a strong group in there.’