Portsmouth Football Club News

• Nickname:Pompey
• Founded:1898
• Manager:Michael Appleton

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Johnson offered Hart backing

06 Apr 2009 - 13:22:59

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Portsmouth boss Paul Hart insists he was right not to substitute England international Glen Johnson before the defender was red-carded in the goalless draw at Hull City.

Johnson was booked midway through the first half at the KC Stadium for a clash with Kamil Zayatte and was given a stern warning by referee Chris Foy soon after following a challenge on Nick Barmby.

However, Johnson failed to heed the warning and was eventually dismissed nine minutes from time for a foul on Dean Marney.

Hart told The News: "Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I thought every one of those incidents was totally innocuous and I think in the normal run of things he wasn't at risk.

"If I'd felt Glen was being reckless I would have brought him off, but I don't think he was. That was my judgement and I think I was right in that judgement.

"When people see the (last) tackle, the alleged tackle, I think they will agree with me.

"I've got to be perfectly honest, in real time I couldn't really see what happened, but I think the referee was probably well-placed and having seen what I saw later, it's difficult to understand.

"Was it a booking? I don't think it was. He'd been taking a little bit of wallop I thought and sometimes it's difficult.

"We know players shouldn't react and we'd rather it didn't happen, but when a few bounce across the legs it's sometimes difficult."