Source: Team_Talk
Grant: League should thank us
Portsmouth boss Avram Grant says the Premier League should thank the club rather than ostracise them for battling on with such a weak squad.[LNB] Pompey were forced to field three academy players for their goalless draw at Wigan on Wednesday night.[LNB]Lenny Sowah, Matt Ritchie and Joel Ward all impressed as they covered for a string of absent stars.[LNB]Grant was without the likes of Jamie O'Hara, David James, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Aruna Dindane and Hassan Yebda as his men fought for a creditable point at the DW Stadium.[LNB]Given that many of Pompey's injured players took part in the FA Cup semi-final win over Tottenham last Sunday, some questioned whether Grant could have fielded a stronger side.[LNB]But he feels the Premier League owes them a vote of thanks for competing so well with such depleted resources.[LNB]Speaking ahead of Sunday's home game with Aston Villa, Grant said: "The Premier League need to say thank you after we played how we did against Wigan. We fought on without players and used three from the academy.[LNB]"I hope they will call Portsmouth and say 'Thank you for keeping the Premier League alive.'[LNB]"The other option would have been we went and lost 5-0, which would have been reasonable. Nobody would have been able to say anything to us because we were playing with a weak squad.[LNB]"Injuries are part of the game and we've had more than we expected. People in football have to know that when you have a lot of pressure on a small squad, you can't play at 100%."[LNB]Grant feels having such a limited squad has given him little opportunity to rest his players.[LNB]The former Chelsea boss believes this has contributed to Pompey's injury woes, but hopes his selection crisis will clear in time for the FA Cup final on May 15.[LNB]He added: "Take Hermann Hreidarsson (who is ruled out for the rest of the season with an Achilles tear).[LNB]"I'm not saying he was injured because of this, but playing two games every three days at his age you get injuries and that's what happened.[LNB]"There are a lot of players like him, but for the final I hope we will not have any injuries.[LNB]"For the moment, I do not pick the team that I want, I pick the team that I have."[LNB]While Grant has pledged to keep faith with his youngsters on Sunday, he has promised Villa's Champions League qualification rivals that they will give their all to win.[LNB]He said: "We are playing because we have pride, we are professional and we will do our best.[LNB]"I don't think it is fair for the other teams that we have such a short squad, but I know Manchester City and Tottenham are looking at us.[LNB]"I promise them we will do our best. In any circumstances we will do our best."[LNB]Grant added: "When I came here we made the decision that the young players would play.[LNB]"Now we are doing it because we need to do it but I must say I was pleased with the three who played on Wednesday.[LNB]"Of course, I want to let them play when everybody is fit. But they are good players, they are good for us and they will be good in the future for Portsmouth.[LNB]"I took the chance with them in a very difficult game away to Wigan, who needed the points badly, and they did well."
