Huddles don't mean team spirit - where's the wonderful Portsmouth togetherness we're told about?

That is the verdict of The News' chief sports writer Neil Allen, speaking in the latest episode of Pompey Talk.

The Blues hit a new nadir in their abject 4-1 defeat at relegation-threatened Northampton on Saturday.

Shipping four goals with 23 first-half minutes, pressure on the already under-fire Kenny Jackett has intensified.

Large sections of supporters have called for the manager's against the backdrop of just four points in the past six games that's resulted in Pompey dropping to sixth spot.

Yet the camaraderie in the Fratton Park dressing room has been praised throughout the campaign.

Assistant-boss Joe Gallen called it the best during his three-and-half seasons at PO4, while Jack Whatmough feels it tops anything he’s been around just his seven years in the first team.

However, Allen believes Pompey now need to start displaying that togetherness that was absent in the dire Northampton loss.

Speaking in the latest edition of Pompey Talk, he said: ‘We keep being told by various people. Cam Pring said it (after returning to Bristol City following his loan spell), Joe Gallen said it and Jack Whatmough said it recently – what a wonderful team spirit there is.

‘They’ve said it's never been as good and everyone is big pals.

‘They have a big huddle before every match, it must be a great team spirit. The season Pompey went 23 games without a win (in the 2012-13 campaign), they had a huddle. It was Johnny Ertl's idea to try to bring a bit of togetherness.

‘Huddles don't mean team spirit or you're better than everyone else. Where is this team spirit? We're not seeing it on the pitch.

‘Perhaps it is in the dressing room but it's not on the pitch. Where is it when the chips are down when it really matters? I can't see it on the pitch.

‘It's not evident when Pompey are losing and they are losing a lot at the minute.’

Listen to the latest edition of Pompey Talk here where the defeat to Northampton is discussed in detail, along with Kenny Jackett’s future or watch the video attached.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

On Saturday, March 13 Pompey will finally get their day at Wembley.

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You can choose your perfect Sports subscription here and use the discount code ROADTOWEMBLEY25 to get the latest news from Fratton Park for less. Offer runs until midnight on March 15.