Paul Hart defends safetyfirst approach at Portsmouth

18 April 2009 00:08
Under Hart, Pompey have taken 10 points from seven games, compared to two from the previous nine, but some of the club's fans are crying out for a return to the more exciting football played under Harry Redknapp. [LNB]Many were prepared to accept winning ugly but have soon tired of merely drawing ugly, especially at home as was the case against West Bromwich Albion last week. [LNB] Related ArticlesPFA: Action needed to stop footballer abusePortsmouth seek early Benjani settlementPortsmouth 2 West Brom 2Diarra and Defoe sold to balance Portsmouth booksGuide to weekend actionMarlon King keeps Middlesbrough in touchBut Hart, the club's director of youth development who is filling in as their third manager this season, insists he will not be swayed from a safety-first policy of grinding out the results needed to extend the club's top-flight membership into an eighth consecutive year. [LNB]Ahead of Saturday's game with Bolton he said: "I know it was a disappointment last week but the fact is we have been getting results and have been very close to getting all the right results. [LNB]"I listen to some people saying we are very negative but I don't understand that. In seven games we've hit the post in every one bar one and we've created chances to win them all. We've lost only one, to Chelsea. [LNB]"But right now we are here where we are, we have a bit of realism and we can't afford to get foolhardy and stupid in our quest. [LNB]"It's the sharp end of the season and even the top clubs will tell you it's not about silky football, it's about results. [LNB]"I'm here because we were in a mess and my task is to keep us up. I'll be judged on that."[LNB]With seven games to go Pompey have 34 points but their next three games after Saturday are at Manchester United, Newcastle and home to Arsenal. [LNB] 

Source: Telegraph