Portsmouth Baton Down the Hatches

By Staff Writer | 4th February 2009

Portsmouth Baton Down the Hatches | read this item

Related News

tony-adams Executive chairman Peter Storrie has defiantly insisted under-fire manager Tony Adams’ short and turbulent stay at Fratton Park is not on the line. Storrie’s declaration may sound like a predictable call to arms but the bare facts tell a different story.

Since former Arsenal and England captain Adams was promoted from the shadow of Harry Redknapp 21 games ago, he has presided over just four wins in all competitions. Pompey were in seventh position when he climbed into the hot-seat and are now in 16^th place. They are on an eight-game winless run and have slipped to just one point above the relegation zone.

If Adams was hoping for some respite then he has the small matter of the visit of rejuvenated title-chasers Liverpool to Fratton Park on Saturday.

“Let’s put a few things straight,” said Storrie. “Firstly, there has been no board meeting to discuss the manager’s position and there is not one planned.”

He added with a clenched fist: “We are all concerned at our current run of poor results, none more so than Tony and myself. However, it is important we all pull together and get behind Tony and the team.”

Adams has moved to appease disenchanted supporters by recruiting Greek midfielder Angelos Basinas from AEK Athens on an 18-month contract, with an option for a further year. Basinas is joined by the loan signing of striker Theofanis Gekas from Bayer Leverkusen.

Basinas was a long-term target of Redknapp during his two stints as manager and has won 97 caps for his county. His experience could prove crucial at the business end of the season when the faint-hearted usually fall by the wayside.

Gekas will be charged with the task of improving a stuttering strikeforce which has managed just 13 goals in 14 Premier League matches.

Adams was also a source of inspiration as a player and he too will need to roll his sleeves up to help Portsmouth preserve their top-flight status – and, possibly, his job.

Nick Walsh writes features and betting previews for Betfair.

Should Tony Adams get the sack? Have your say in the forums, and be sure to check out the Premiership Talk Podcast!

Taylor Fisher says:

February 8, 2009 at 8:14 pm

Good prediction…it was only a matter of time.

Reply to this Comment
Brian Lofrumento says:

February 5, 2009 at 1:39 am

Some interesting points raised here, Nick. Tony Adams certainly seems to be in over his head, and the days of Pompey being in 7th are long gone.

I think Adams will be the next Prem manager out the door, with Mark Hughes not too far behind.

Reply to this Comment