Pompey, rooted to the bottom of the Barclays Premier League, are in crisis and yesterday were given seven days by the High Court to draw up a statement of their financial affairs or face being shut down.

HMRC claim Pompey, who have had four owners this season, owe them more than £11million in total. A figure of £7.4million of VAT is included in the winding-up petition, which Pompey are disputing.

Pulis believes Pompey, where he was manager for nine months in 2000, have a responsibility which spreads wider than just the football club.

"It is a fantastic club with great support. What it has hopefully done has opened up a window for people to look in and say things have got to be done properly," said the Potters boss.

"You can't allow finances, just because you are a football club, to run as wild as what they have done.

"Luckily here we have a chairman (Peter Coates) who keeps it all under control but clubs have a responsibility to the community.

"They have a responsibility to keep going because that club means so much to so many people.

"People should be asking questions of whoever has been running their finances."