Portsmouth FC

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• Manager:Steve Cotterill

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Grant hints at weaker Pompey

19 Mar 2010 - 10:29:35

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Portsmouth manager Avram Grant could field weakened starting line-ups in Pompey's last nine Premier League games of the season so that he can concentrate his players' minds on the FA Cup.

Pompey are effectively relegated after having nine points deducted for entering administration but have managed to win through to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

Former Chelsea boss Grant said: "We don't have a duty to the Premier League, or any other Premier team. I only have a duty to Pompey. The League have a duty to the rest of the clubs.

"I said we would fight against everything as long as we had a chance, now I don't know But before I say anything I want to know the opinions of the players and they need to hear my opinions.

"Sometimes players want to play before the World Cup. Normally we say that the club is more important than any player and any manager, and the club and its future is more important than anything.

"But because of this situation in the league we need to think about other things.

"Normally I take all the decisions and I will take them even now, about the players, how to treat them, who will play, who will not play, and the tactics. This isn't about the future of the club, it's about the next few weeks."