Tottering on the brink

These are uncertain times for Portsmouth FC, entering administration for the second time in as many years, propping up the Championship table, and being forced to get rid of their best players in order to try and raise money.

 It is easy to forget that, only four years ago, the club won the FA Cup beating Cardiff City at Wembley and had European football to look forward to in the 2008/09 season.

That is past, and now the South Coast side find themselves in a desperate situation. With administrator Trevor Birch recently admitting that the financial situation is ‘worse than we first feared’ although an agreement with the FA giving Pompey £800,000 is likely to help.

 The club, renowned for its passionate fans, have a nervous time between now and the end of the season with club captain Liam Lawrence heading out on loan to Cardiff City, and other key players like Stephen Henderson, Eric Huseklepp and Hayden Mullins following him elsewhere.

 To compound this, results are going badly and Saturday’s 2-0 reverse at the hands of South Coast rivals Brighton & Hove Albion was their 8^th consecutive game without a win.

 Manager Michael Appleton remains upbeat, however, and not only Portsmouth fans, but anyone with a soft spot for the Fratton Park side must hope it’s with good reason.

 On Saturday, fellow relegation candidates Bristol City travel to Hampshire for a game that could, in effect either maroon Pompey or propel them closer to the sides around them.

 A win on St Patrick’s Day, and who knows, maybe Pompey’s luck might be about to change.

George Powell

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