Source: SKY_Sports
Hart takes positives in defeat
Paul Hart took the positives from Portsmouth's second-half showing in the 2-0 defeat at Premier League leaders Manchester United.[LNB] Pompey struggled in the first period at Old Trafford and trailed to a ninth-minute goal from Wayne Rooney, while United also wasted several chances.[LNB]The visitors improved after the break before substitute Michael Carrick made the game safe for the title favourites with a second goal on 82 minutes.[LNB]Hart acknowledged his team were off the pace in the opening 45 minutes, but was happy with the response after half-time.[LNB]Reticent"I think in the first half we were a little bit reticent and were sort of pussy-footing around a bit," Hart told Sky Sports.[LNB]"We were lucky to come in 1-0 down as our keeper's made some fantastic saves, and we had a bit of luck and some good defending.[LNB]"In the second half I thought we started well, and I thought at times we had an awful lot of control of the game and maybe could have pulled one back.[LNB]"We put a good shift in and we made it very difficult for Manchester United, who are an extremely good team.[LNB]"It's the second game we've lost I think in eight games and the other one was Chelsea. We did pretty well in that one as well and I think the second-half performance we can take an awful lot of positives from.[LNB]"We started to make good progress, had good build-ups and retained the ball a bit better in the second half. On another day, we may have got something."[LNB]No complaintsPompey full-back Hermann Hreidarsson appealed for offside for United's opener, but Hart felt Ryan Giggs was onside when Anderson played his through ball.[LNB]He commented: "Hermann thought it was offside, but I don't think he was. We don't complain about anything."[LNB]The defeat leaves Pompey six points clear of the relegation zone with five games left to play, but Hart is not taking safety for granted.[LNB]"We still need some points," he continued. "How close I don't know, but we're certainly not close enough to start thinking we're close (to safety)."[LNB]David Nugent was replaced at half-time due to a dead leg, but Hart is optimistic the forward will be fit for next Monday's trip to Newcastle United.[LNB]Hart concluded: "He's got a dead leg and is pretty sore, but we've got a few extra days to Monday, so hopefully he'll be recovered."[LNB]
