Source: Daily_Mail
Portsmouth 1 Coventry City 1: Avram Grant's grim jokes fail to lift the gloom
As the Portsmouth financial crisis gets worse by the day, it is tough for all the staff at Fratton Park to retain a sense of humour.[LNB]Avram Grant did his best after seeing his threadbare and unpaid team comfortably held by Coventry, which will make the Championship outfit the favourites to win the replay.[LNB]After the final whistle, as a 250-strong group of frustrated Pompey fans blockaded the officials' entrance to the ground calling for boardroom heads to roll, Grant's attempt to lighten the mood smacked of gallows humour.[LNB]He admits he is clinging on to the faintest of hopes of a reprieve if Pompey's transfer embargo is lifted when the latest tranche of Premier League TV money reaches the club on January 10 and eases the most immediate debt repayment problems.[LNB] Protest: Angry fans vent their frustration at the Portsmouth board[LNB]Grant said: 'For this game, we had 18 players. I cannot play. Do you want to see the video? I can't play.'[LNB]Then Grant revealed why he is taking his flippant approach: 'I have two choices either to give up and be sad and to come to you with a long face, or try to do my best and find solutions for any situation. [LNB]Under-fire: The fans have turned against CEO Peter Storrie (right)[LNB]I know the easy situation is to cry and say how it is difficult, which is true by the way, but I'm looking for solutions.'[LNB]Also looking for solutions are reclusive Arab owner Ali Al Faraj and chief executive Peter Storrie, who says that the arrival of a new short-term £4million loan should allow the players' December wages to be paid on Tuesday.[LNB]That is unlikely to satisfy the questions of PFA officials, who areexpected at the club for talks today and are worried about thetreatment of their members.[LNB]Storrie has made it clear that offers for any of the club's players will be accepted.[LNB]Portsmouthfell behind in the 30th minute as David Bell scored with a long-rangeeffort. Kevin Prince Boateng equalised with a first-half, added-timeheader.[LNB]Coventry manager Chris Coleman found himself talkingmore about Pompey's problems. 'If they keep the same players, they aregoing to struggle because the Premier League is unforgiving,' he said.[LNB] Portsmouth 1 Coventry 1: Pompey fans rage and call for board to quitFA Cup fourth round draw: Leeds rewarded with trip to TottenhamPATRICK COLLINS: Shame on the men who have made a basket case out of poor old PompeyALL THE PORTSMOUTH FC NEWS FROM THE NET[LNB]
