AVRAM Grant has challenged his Portsmouth players to believe in themselves and give everything for the cause as the Barclays Premier League's bottom club look to pull of a shock at title-chasing Manchester United tomorrow.
Pompey remain cast adrift following a 1-0 defeat at Fulham on Wednesday night.
However, a battling display deserved a better result, with Grant's team more cohesive following the return of African Nations Cup trio Nadir Belhadj, Hassan Yebda and Aruna Dindane.
But for some better finishing, Pompey would already have had the match won before a late lapse in concentration let Fulham snatch a winner.
The off-field saga at Fratton Park continues, as Hong Kong-based businessman Balram Chainrai yesterday took control in a fourth change of ownership, before he then declared "zero interest" in completing a full-blown buy-out.
Pompey also face a winding-up order from HMRC over a £7.5million VAT bill, for which a High Court hearing is due next Wednesday.
However the Pompey manager maintains his squad deserve great credit for producing consistent performances on the pitch, if not always getting their just rewards.
"We have shown over the past couple of months that when people thought we were down, we recovered and gave everything," said Grant.
"I have no doubt the players will give everything again against Manchester United.
"When you see the fact that they keep coming onto the pitch, again and again, giving everything that is good."
Grant declared: "I always believe - and I do not want to see anyone in my team who does not believe.
"This is football - anything can happen.
"I saw Manchester United in their last game against Arsenal, okay they played a bit quick for us but you always have to face up to the challenge in a positive way."
It was only two years ago that Grant came within a penalty kick of winning the Champions League while in charge of Chelsea, who he also took to the verge of the domestic title.
Much water has passed under the bridge since Moscow two years ago, and Grant, 54, is relishing the seemingly impossible job of turning Pompey's fortunes around.
"When I took charge at Chelsea, I doubt there was anyone who put a bet we would be in the Champions League final, or would come into the final game of the season on the same points as Manchester United, but we believed all of the time, and we did it," Grant said.
"Here at Portsmouth, it is a different challenge, a big challenge, it is one I like.
"I love this club. If we can do the right things here, then it can be a very good club."
Nigeria striker Kanu is expected to be back in the squad tomorrow, having now returned from the African Nations Cup, while on loan defender Ricardo Rocha could make his debut.
Pompey will come up against the Premier League's in-form striker tomorrow - and keeper David James knows just what to expect from his England team-mate Wayne Rooney.
The United frontman has chalked up more than 20 goals in all competitions.
"With [Cristiano] Ronaldo out of the United side, I knew Wayne would score more goals this season," James told the Portsmouth News.
"He facilitated a lot of what Ronaldo did in the past two or three years.
"Wayne is a class act. Now he's got much more influence in scoring as opposed to supplying.
"But I think he has been world class for a few years now.
"He will be the key man for England in the summer, but he was the man who mattered in 2006 as well."
(re-opens)
Portsmouth defender Marc Wilson has signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal at Fratton Park.
The 22-year-old Irishman has made more than 20 first-team appearances this season.
Wilson, a product of the Portsmouth youth system, said: "I've always wanted to stay at Pompey. This is my seventh year here and I really enjoy it.
"The fans are great and I couldn't imagine playing anywhere else."
Wilson added on the club's official website, www.www.portsmouthfc.co.uk: "I've really enjoyed playing first-team football this season and learning from some very experienced players.
"There are a lot of good players here and even just training alongside them has helped me improve my game."
However, a battling display deserved a better result, with Grant's team more cohesive following the return of African Nations Cup trio Nadir Belhadj, Hassan Yebda and Aruna Dindane.
But for some better finishing, Pompey would already have had the match won before a late lapse in concentration let Fulham snatch a winner.
The off-field saga at Fratton Park continues, as Hong Kong-based businessman Balram Chainrai yesterday took control in a fourth change of ownership, before he then declared "zero interest" in completing a full-blown buy-out.
Pompey also face a winding-up order from HMRC over a £7.5million VAT bill, for which a High Court hearing is due next Wednesday.
However the Pompey manager maintains his squad deserve great credit for producing consistent performances on the pitch, if not always getting their just rewards.
"We have shown over the past couple of months that when people thought we were down, we recovered and gave everything," said Grant.
"I have no doubt the players will give everything again against Manchester United.
"When you see the fact that they keep coming onto the pitch, again and again, giving everything that is good."
Grant declared: "I always believe - and I do not want to see anyone in my team who does not believe.
"This is football - anything can happen.
"I saw Manchester United in their last game against Arsenal, okay they played a bit quick for us but you always have to face up to the challenge in a positive way."
It was only two years ago that Grant came within a penalty kick of winning the Champions League while in charge of Chelsea, who he also took to the verge of the domestic title.
Much water has passed under the bridge since Moscow two years ago, and Grant, 54, is relishing the seemingly impossible job of turning Pompey's fortunes around.
"When I took charge at Chelsea, I doubt there was anyone who put a bet we would be in the Champions League final, or would come into the final game of the season on the same points as Manchester United, but we believed all of the time, and we did it," Grant said.
"Here at Portsmouth, it is a different challenge, a big challenge, it is one I like.
"I love this club. If we can do the right things here, then it can be a very good club."
Nigeria striker Kanu is expected to be back in the squad tomorrow, having now returned from the African Nations Cup, while on loan defender Ricardo Rocha could make his debut.
Pompey will come up against the Premier League's in-form striker tomorrow - and keeper David James knows just what to expect from his England team-mate Wayne Rooney.
The United frontman has chalked up more than 20 goals in all competitions.
"With [Cristiano] Ronaldo out of the United side, I knew Wayne would score more goals this season," James told the Portsmouth News.
"He facilitated a lot of what Ronaldo did in the past two or three years.
"Wayne is a class act. Now he's got much more influence in scoring as opposed to supplying.
"But I think he has been world class for a few years now.
"He will be the key man for England in the summer, but he was the man who mattered in 2006 as well."
(re-opens)
Portsmouth defender Marc Wilson has signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal at Fratton Park.
The 22-year-old Irishman has made more than 20 first-team appearances this season.
Wilson, a product of the Portsmouth youth system, said: "I've always wanted to stay at Pompey. This is my seventh year here and I really enjoy it.
"The fans are great and I couldn't imagine playing anywhere else."
Wilson added on the club's official website, www.www.portsmouthfc.co.uk: "I've really enjoyed playing first-team football this season and learning from some very experienced players.
"There are a lot of good players here and even just training alongside them has helped me improve my game."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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