Portsmouth need a win over Wigan tomorrow to show they can recover from the blow of losing Redknapp to Tottenham last weekend.

Adams and Joe Jordan were in caretaker charge for the 1-1 draw against Fulham last Sunday, and following Adams being installed as Portsmouth's full-time boss on Tuesday, his team were beaten 1-0 at Liverpool the following day.

But Adams, 42, finds being the new face of Portsmouth is "a privilege and a joy".

He said: "Don't forget I've already been here two-and-a-half years and I don't actually think my life has changed a lot now. As far as I'm concerned it will be business as usual hopefully.

"Okay, I've chatted a bit more to my coaching staff about the team selection and I've made one or two adjustments, but I've still got a very good squad here and so why make a lot of changes straightaway?

"I'm six years down the road in management and certainly not so insecure as in my first job (at Wycombe). I honestly feel still pretty much the same as when Harry was here.

"Don't tell him, perhaps, but I think I've always done quite a lot here including player recruitment.

"Every player Harry brought to the club he asked my opinion about. He treated me like a proper assistant and I'll always thank him for that."

Adams recovered from years of alcohol problems to gain new confidence and maturity.

"Twelve years ago I didn't know myself," he admits, "but since then I have got to know myself and I don't think I'm a bad fellow. My self-esteem has gone up a little bit."

Adams started the Sporting Chance clinic for troubled sporting stars after admitting to his own problems but reveals he has taken something of a "back-seat in the charity" during recent years.

He is completely focused on the task at Portsmouth, aims to keep stability - "another top-10 finish would be outstanding" - and admits: "You probably won't see a real Tony Adams-type team on the field until next season."

Adams decided on a bold switch in his first game in charge at Liverpool, leaving goal ace Jermain Defoe on the bench and opting for a five-man field with Peter Crouch alone up front in a bid to steal a point.

The move failed due to Steven Gerrard's late penalty winner, but Adams has no regrets about trying something his predecessor had never attempted since Crouch and Defoe were brought together in August.

Defoe will be back leading the attack alongside Crouch against Wigan, and Adams said: "I'm not mad. Jermain is a great striker and is going to be one of the main tools for me staying in this job.

"But this was just a tactical decision at Liverpool and although you can't say we did well having lost, we actually did."

The late penalty was a blow for Portsmouth, especially after Fulham's late equaliser to force their draw at Fratton Park last Sunday.

Wigan have lost four games in a row, after a promising start to the campaign.

But Adams has been impressed by Wigan strikers Emile Heskey and Amr Zaki, and said: "They are both playing out of their skin."

With key defenders Sol Campbell (hamstring) and Glen Johnson both only "50-50" to return from their injuries, Adams is wary of Wigan boss Steve Bruce, once a rival centre-back with Manchester United when Adams was the dominant member of the Arsenal and England rearguards.

Adams said: "I have great respect for Steve. He's learned his trade well. He was a fantastic player and I think he's a fantastic manager, too. And maybe he's out for a bit of revenge for not winning any caps as a player when I was around."