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Friday, 12 March 2010

World News Grant: Pompey Trying Their Best

Defiant Portsmouth manager Avram Grant maintains all is not lost following another troubled day on and off the field for the Barclays Premier League's bottom club, who were beaten 4-1 at home by Arsenal.

Pompey had earlier issued a statement denying being formally served with a winding up petition by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs in respect of disputed VAT, PAYE and National Insurance contributions of a reported £3.5million.

While that matter may yet be resolved in a High Court hearing early next month to avoid administration, Pompey - FA Cup winners only last year under Harry Redknapp - continue to have a transfer embargo imposed by the Premier League and face an uphill battle to save themselves from relegation come May 2010.

Sections of the Fratton Park faithful chanted "where's all our money gone?" and vented their anger towards owner Ali Al Faraj as chants of "sack the board" and "you're not fit to run our club" rang out around the ground, while the substitution of captain Aaron Mokoena was resoundly cheered.

However, former Chelsea boss Grant tonight insisted: "I feel the supporters are behind us and they are good for the team.

"I know there are problems off the pitch, but I cannot say anything about this.

"I have sympathy for the fans. We are trying to do our best for them. The situation is not easy."

Grant continued: "When we get on to the pitch, to the game, the players are trying to do their best.

"I know the board are trying their best. I hope to have some funds [in January].

"Even if it's a difficult situation, the team can stay in the league - but we need to do something."

Portsmouth are set to lose several players to the African Nations Cup, including goalscorer Nadir Belhadj, while there are reports the club could be forced to sell key men like England goalkeeper David James to stay afloat.

However, Grant said: "All the players in the team need to stay, and I think the board know that.

"From the football side, we need the players to stay and we need to make the team stronger.

"I know what the team needs to stay in the league, and I'm sure we can do that."

Arsenal fans, meanwhile, could well have the champagne on ice in anticipation of what may yet prove a vintage year for Arsene Wenger's young Gunners - now just four points behind leaders Chelsea and with a match in hand.

The visitors were always in command after Eduardo's free-kick had deflected off Younes Kaboul, before Samir Nasri drilled in a second just before half-time and Wales teenager Aaron Ramsey smashed home a third on 69 minutes.

Although Belhadj pulled a goal back, Cameroon midfielder Alex Song nodded in a fourth with 10 minutes left.

Wenger admitted sympathy for the plight of Portsmouth, on a day when it was announced Roman Abramovich has all but wiped out Chelsea's £340million debt by turning the owed interest-free loan into shares.

The Arsenal manager maintained: "Professional football is about winning and balancing the budget.

"That is the basic rule, and one which I fought for. All the rest is half cheating.

"I don't speak about what has happened here, but that is what I am for.

"For every club it has to be the same: for Chelsea, for everybody. I always pleaded for financial fair play."

The Arsenal boss hailed the efforts of his young side, who have dragged themselves very much back into the title race with five wins from six league matches.

"We were very 'up for it' in midfield and dominated where, a few weeks ago, people thought we were not capable of that," said Wenger.

"Everybody tells me to buy strikers, but nobody has scored more goals than us in the league.

"We have players who move the ball well and everybody gets in dangerous positions.

"With the confidence high, everyone can score goals - but we are still in the market [for a striker]."

Wenger confirmed he expected injured captain Cesc Fabregas to be out for around 10 days with a hamstring problem - meaning the influential Spaniard would miss the FA Cup third-round tie at West Ham this weekend, while England winger Theo Walcott is also out.

"Let's say the only question mark we have is does Cesc make Everton or not [on January 9]," said Wenger.

"Walcott is a ripped muscle [in his side] and about the same, 10 to 12 days."

Copyright (c) 2009 Press Association

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