Redknapp remains optimistic
Harry Redknapp believes his Portsmouth team are playing well enough to warrant his optimistic instinct they can escape the clutches of relegation.
Pompey have 12 matches left in which to make up an eight-point gap behind fourth-from-bottom West Brom, even though they will have to face top-six clubs Chelsea, Arsenal, West Ham and Liverpool before this season of turmoil is over.
But Redknapp, who chairman Milan Mandaric has revealed some fans want sacked this week, insisted: “It is not like we haven’t played well since I’ve been back.
“We were excellent in the second half against Bolton and Manchester United.
“Anyone who thought United were cruising should have seen Alex Ferguson getting agitated in the dug-out.”
Redknapp is still convinced his side have “a big chance” of staying up with a continuation of their home form since his return from Southampton in December.
They have beaten West Brom and Fulham, drawn with West Ham and Bolton and lost only to Everton and Manchester United in league matches at Fratton Park.
“Now we’ve got Chelsea (a week on Saturday) and then Aston Villa away in the next two games,” said Redknapp, who has gone on a break to Dubai – just like chairman Mandaric but separately – and after that six of the remaining 10 games are at home.
“We can get six wins from those games. It is still possible. We might need just one win to change things.
“Look at Middlesbrough. Everybody said they were in trouble but after beating Chelsea like that they are almost out of it.
“Then there is Birmingham. I thought they would be moving up once they had got their injured players back but they are still down there are defeats to Arsenal and West Ham.
“So we have got to keep going. (Lomana) Lualua is back for us from the African Nations Cup and that is a big bonus the way he played against United.”
Redknapp is also banking on Zimbabwe striker Benjani Mwaruwari finally grabbing the goals which have so far eluded the club’s £4.1m (€6m) record signing in five appearances.
Redknapp admitted: “The boy badly needs a goal. He works hard, gives everything and has talent and determination. Not many would come back on a flight from Egypt to play the same day in a Premiership match for you.
“All he needs is a goal to get him going. To do that he needs plenty of encouragement and he’ll get that from me.”
Encouragement is just what Redknapp is getting from his chairman at Fratton Park.
He said: “I believe I am the best person to turn it around. I have total faith in myself and I think Milan and everyone else at the club believes me.
“They have not told me anything other than that they are behind me 100%.
“I have spoken to Sacha Gaydamak (the new co-owner) and he said the stories about him wanting me out are absolute rubbish.
“So I don’t believe there is a problem if we stick together and produce a run of results.”
