"He's at a low ebb," Hodgson said.
"He's in that unfortunate position that I found myself in at the beginning of last year.
"It is a very difficult situation to be in. When the team plays as well as Portsmouth did and you lose 3-1 it isn't as easy to know quite how to deal with that.
"I think they are a good team and playing quite well. I'm sure if they continue to do that they won't be losing every match 3-1.
"But there's only so many times you can go in after defeats with everyone's chins on the ground and say 'don't worry lads, things will turn around', before they think you're a long-playing record and start to doubt your sanity.
"There is no magic wand in this game. It is work in the end which brings its rewards and, of course, the quality of the players you have at your disposal.
"It wasn't an easy game. Both teams worked hard. But I was pleased by the solidity of our performance and delighted by the runs of our front players to get in behind their defenders."