Source: Telegraph
Avram Grant: threat of relegation taking its toll on Portsmouth players
After something of a recent revival, Portsmouth were defeated 2-1 at Fratton Park by Birmingham City, and Grant accepted that his players had been affected by off-pitch concerns. [LNB]The result leaves the club four points adrift at the bottom of the table, but the League look certain to fine them a further nine points as a repercussion of the club going into administration, which, barring a remarkable reversal in fortune, would certainly mean that Portsmouth are relegated this season, a situation which would ultimately weaken the status of the League, according to Grant. [LNB] Related ArticlesPortsmouth 1 Birmingham 2Portsmouth not eligible for European footballPremier League tablePremier League actionTelegraph player raterPremier League fixturesThe Portsmouth manager had paid tribute to his players' steadfastness in his matchday programme notes, stressing that they have 'spirit in abundance' at Fratton Park, but after watching his side succumb, despite having beaten Birmingham in the FA Cup on Saturday, the Israeli accepted that the not knowing was taking its toll. [LNB]"The players want to win on the pitch. But of course when you always hear about the nine points, you know you cannot do anything. Although the Premier League has yet to take the points away, of course it has an effect. When you have a target it is more easy. This situation is not easy.' [LNB]Grant took the opportunity to send his own message to the League. In addition to asking for a speedier resolution to the matter, he warned that deciding the outcome of relegation in a boardroom rather than on the field of play would undermine the credibility of the competition. [LNB]'I still believe that the football needs to be decided on the pitch,' he said. [LNB]'I always respect the rules, but football needs to be decided on the pitch. it is not good for the Premier League that the relegation is decided off the pitch.' [LNB]Meanwhile, the result has left Birmingham one spot away from a European berth but Alex McLeish insists that unless his strikers, Cameron Jerome and Christian Benitez, use this match as a springboard to more goals it is unrealistic to consider his side capable of playing in the Europa League next season. [LNB]'I don't think seventh place is realistic,' he said. 'To get places in Europe you need strikers scoring 15, 16 goals. We will find that impossible unless our strikers go on a scoring burst." [LNB]Jerome scored two last night, both supplied by Benitez, but neither have been prolific this season. Jerome is the club's top scorer with seven goals. McLeish explained that asking them to perform additional duties such as helping to defend from the front has partly to blame. [LNB]'We have asked lots of our strikers, asking them to defend. Perhaps why they have not scored so many goals. Cameron can score when he gets the chance, when he can take it down and think about it, he is a good finisher."[LNB]
