Source: Team_Talk
Grant puts his faith in 'hard work'
Portsmouth gaffer Avram Grant is a man of great faith, but feels success must be earned by "hard work".[LNB] Portsmouth have fought against all the odds this season to somehow reach tomorrow's FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley.[LNB]It has all the settings of another special moment of footballing folklore which only the famous old competition can bring, as the financially-crippled Fratton Park club look to pull off a shock victory over the millionaires from Stamford Bridge, where Grant was once the man at the helm.[LNB]The 55-year-old openly admits he does not know what the future holds for him as Pompey boss, with West Ham said to be ready to offer him the Upton Park hotseat should he decide enough was enough and not take on the challenge of managing in the Championship.[LNB]Whatever the outcome tomorrow, however, Grant knows only through the right focus will Pompey stand a chance of making history to deny Chelsea the double.[LNB]"In football, 10% happens without a reason, but 90% is down to hard work, process and a way of thinking," he said.[LNB]"That is what we have here - we are strong here and this is the most important thing."[LNB]Grant continued: "People talk about destiny, yet that means you don't have to do anything because it will happen anyway.[LNB]"I believe in a combination: that there is a destination and things you need to influence. Success will not come to you, you have to go to success.[LNB]"I believe that against Chelsea, first we need to do our job and then hope for something I cannot control."[LNB]Pompey, who basked in FA Cup glory under Harry Redknapp two seasons ago, are rank outsiders to get anything other than a hammering from Carlo Ancelotti's men, who will be chasing an historic double after sealing their Premier League title with an emphatic 8-0 thrashing of Wigan on the final day.[LNB]Grant, however, insists: "I don't believe in football that you need to fear.[LNB]"Against this team we need to be very, very careful because they can hurt you from everywhere.[LNB]"They are a very good team, they deserve to be champions, they have won in style many games.[LNB]"We know we are the underdog. I don't like to be the underdog, but we are.[LNB]"They may be better before the game and after the game - but we will try to be better during the game.[LNB]"On the pitch we need to do our job. Without working hard you cannot achieve anything."[LNB]Grant came within a penalty kick of taking Chelsea to Champions League glory against Manchester United in Moscow two years ago, before eventually being ousted as the Blues turned to Luiz Felipe Scolari for what would be an ill-fated reign.[LNB]Despite the events which led to his departure, Grant insists he bears no ill feeling towards his old club.[LNB]"I had a job to do at Chelsea, first as a director of football, then they wanted me to be the manager. I didn't think it was so good for me, but we needed to do a job for the club," he recalled.[LNB]"The team was on the way down and we took them forward, to the Champions League final.[LNB]"I lost only one game, against Arsenal. So many things were positive, why do I need to remember the negatives?"[LNB]Grant admits his achievements with Pompey must be seen in a completely different light.[LNB]"When I went to Chelsea, they told me nobody would have put a pound on us being in the Champions League final. I think here nobody put even 1p that Portsmouth would be in the FA Cup final. It's a big achievement," he said.[LNB]"Football is first of all quality - but with quality alone you cannot win. Football is also money - but with money alone you cannot win.[LNB]"Yet when you come to the cup, it is only one game."[LNB]So come the final whistle at Wembley tomorrow, what chance Grant's men may just find that special 10% after all?[LNB]He said: "Chelsea are still better than us before and after the game - but during the game, sometimes... sometimes."
