Mandaric confident of survival
Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric insists Fratton Park’s famously raucous fans can still roar their team to Premiership safety – despite the frustration of seeing Saturday night’s clash with Arsenal called off.
Referee Mike Riley controversially ruled conditions were too dangerous an hour before scheduled kick-off time following three inspections of the rain-soaked pitch. A new date for the fixture is still to be found.
Pompey, having won their previous two games, had been confident off taking points from the Champions League-chasing Gunners and Mandaric said: “The decision has done us no favours because the momentum was with us and we were prepared to play.
“Five of our last eight games, though, are at home and that gives us a marvellous opportunity to stage a wonderful end to the season.
“The players are up for it, my partner (co-owner Alexandre Gaydamak) and I are still up for it and our management team are up for it.
“But last and not least I know our supporters still have the same anticipation. So let us combine and see Pompey home in style.”
Birmingham’s 3-0 defeat at Manchester United has kept Portsmouth level on points with the third-bottom midlanders – and with a much more inviting fixture list.
Harry Redknapp’s team face a tough task next Saturday at Fulham, the London side having beaten the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Blackburn, Bolton and Everton at home this this season.
But Pompey still have Blackburn, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Arsenal and Liverpool to play at Fratton Park while Charlton and Wigan are not too frightening away trips.
Mandaric said: “I’m disappointed the Arsenal game was called off. The whole club was looking forward to it.
“Two weeks ago we were being completely written off in some quarters. Now we are breathing down the necks of those above us in the table and that is a situation which will make Fratton Park even more noisy and intimidating.”
