Premier League: Middlesbrough v Portsmouth, today, 3pm
Sylvain Distin is desperate to keep Portsmouth in the Premier League after admitting the relegation scrap sent him 'mental'.
Distin leads Portsmouth into battle at bottom-three rivals Middlesbrough today in a match which could go a long way to deciding the south-coast side's top-flight future.
And the former Manchester City star says Pompey's slump from FA Cup winners to basement strugglers has affected his state of mind.
Distin said: "Personally, I have been affected by the things that are happening at the club, with the manager going Tony Adams and the results. Sometimes you do not even want to realise it affects you that much.
"I did realise it was contributing to my performance on the pitch.
"I found myself doing stuff that I did not usually do.
"I had a mental problem. I lost focus and my mind has not been there. That is because of the bad results we have had - it is no coincidence.
"Luckily, I have good people around me who I could talk about things with.
"I am really close to my family and my dad is always around to give me good advice. The main problem is people think that because you are on a good wage you do not care if you lose, as long as you get to drive home in an expensive car.
"But football is my job and my passion. Even when I was younger and playing for free I still wanted to win the games and that has not changed."
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Portsmouth were returning from a team bonding trip to Dubai when they discovered Blackburn's win at Fulham on Wednesday night had sent them spiralling into the relegation zone.
Distin, who is likely to quit Fratton Park if Pompey go down, insists it is too early to contemplate the drop.
The Frenchman said: "I do not pay attention to being in the bottom three because it is still early in the season.
"Where we are now is not really important. It is better to be in the top six than the bottom three, but the most important thing is what happens to us at the end of the season.
"Right now it would not be professional to think about what I'd do if we are relegated from the Premier League.
"Of course, it is in the back of my head, but I don't want to think about it as we have enough quality in this squad to stay up," he added.
"The last few performances have been much improved.
"Even in our last game against Chelsea. We lost but created enough chances to win.
"We worked hard and if we keep playing like that I am sure we will be fine."
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