England coach Phil Neville still confident despite ‘unacceptable’ run of form

Since losing the World Cup semi-final against the United States in July the Lionesses have lost to Sweden, Norway and Brazil and drawn against Belgium

Neville is determined to turn things around with England (Action Images via Reuters)

England Women's coach Phil Neville accepts four defeats in five matches is unacceptable but remains confident in the work he is doing with the squad.

Since losing the World Cup semi-final against the United States in July the Lionesses have lost to Sweden, Norway and Brazil and drawn against Belgium.

Neville believes they are being punished for every mistake but is not losing hope.

"We're in that period where things aren't going for us that maybe were going for us 12 months ago," he said ahead of Tuesday's friendly against Portugal in Setubal.

"Losing four out of five games is not acceptable and I don't want to brush around that but I can take comfort from the way we performed.

"We are getting punished for every little mistake we are making and it's a wake-up call for us.

"We can have all the possession in the world but the fundamentals still exist in keeping clean sheets and doing jobs you cannot neglect.

"We've just got to stick together and believe what we're doing is right. I can look my players in the eye and they can look each other in the eye."

Neville will be without midfielder Jill Scott for the game in Portugal after she withdrew with an ankle injury.

City and Everton forwards Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly have been added to the squad, which flew to Portugal on Sunday.