Five points from three matches have steadied Portsmouth after a rocky start to the Championship season, and midfielder Odin Bailey believes the building blocks are there for something better to come.

Pompey lost three of their opening four league fixtures before stringing together a run that included a win over Cardiff, a draw with Charlton Athletic and a draw with Blackburn Rovers. John Mousinho's side sit 19th, three points above the relegation zone but also three points short of the top half, a position that reflects both the fragility and the promise of this early campaign.

"There's a massive feeling of frustration because we feel like we're so close as a team to becoming a really good side," Bailey told BBC Radio Solent. "It's just the few minor details and at this level, you make a mistake and you get punished. That's been the trend from the start of the season."

Errors proving costly

Bailey's assessment cuts to the heart of Portsmouth's predicament. The performances have contained enough quality to suggest Mousinho's squad belongs in the second tier, yet individual errors have repeatedly unravelled the good work. That gap between potential and points is one Portsmouth must close if they are to avoid another anxious winter.

The club's recent history adds weight to the concern. In 2025-26, Pompey managed just five wins before Christmas, finishing 18th. The season before, following their return to the Championship, they won only one of their first 14 league matches before recovering to finish 16th. Mousinho will want this campaign to tell a different story by the time December arrives.

"There's a lot of positives to take because we play some great stuff across the pitch, and we do feel a lot more solid defensively," Bailey added. "It's just about sticking with it, and trusting in our process, in what we're doing, and it will go our way."

Bailey biding his time

Bailey, 26, joined Portsmouth on a three-year contract after leaving Stockport County at the end of last season, following their play-off final defeat. He has featured four times from the bench without yet starting a league match, and he is clear-eyed about the situation.

"That's all part and parcel of football," he said. "It's just about staying patient and working hard on the training ground, and not sulking. You want to be kept on your toes. You want to look around and see top players all fighting for similar positions."

The competition for places is genuine, and Bailey frames it as a strength rather than a source of grievance. Whether Mousinho trusts him with a starting berth sooner rather than later may depend on how Portsmouth fare during the international break's run-in period and whether the squad's collective confidence continues to grow.

South coast derby looms

Portsmouth return to action on Sunday 11 October (12:00) with a south coast derby away from home. It is the kind of fixture that sharpens focus across the squad and offers Bailey, whether from the bench or the first whistle, a stage on which to make his mark.

If the unbeaten run represents genuine momentum rather than a false dawn, Mousinho will need contributions from across his squad to sustain it. Bailey's patience and self-belief suggest he intends to be part of that solution whenever the opportunity arrives.

Frequently asked

Where are Portsmouth in the Championship table?
Portsmouth are currently 19th in the Championship, three points above the relegation zone and three points short of the top half of the table.
Who is Odin Bailey and how did he join Portsmouth?
Odin Bailey is a 26-year-old midfielder who signed a three-year contract with Portsmouth after leaving Stockport County at the end of last season. He has made four substitute appearances in the Championship so far.
When is Portsmouth's next Championship match?
Portsmouth's next league fixture is away at south coast rivals on Sunday 11 October, kicking off at 12:00.