Source: Daily_Mail
Portsmouth 1 Millwall 1: David Nugent the home hero as Pompey make their point
Steve Cotterill opened urgent talks with combative midfielder Michael Brown last night, urging him to take a pay cut and remain a key part of Portsmouth's push for the play-offs. [LNB]The ex-Spur was one of the powerhouses behind Pompey's second-half comeback after they trailed to Liam Trotter's 26th-minute header. [LNB]But if Brown plays one more game for Cotterill, who wants him to take on Leeds tomorrow, he will trigger a clause in his contract that he has to be offered a new pay deal based on the £34,000 a week he earned when the club were in the Premier League. [LNB]All square: Nugent was in the right place at the right time to earn a point for Pompey at Fratton Park[LNB]'I am going back to see him now,'said Cotterill after the match. 'I want him to play at Leeds. But totake a drop in pay is a big livelihood decision. I can't make him doanything like that. He has got to want to do it.' [LNB]Cotterill also knows that Brown'snatural replacement, Richard Hughes, will trigger a similar clause inhis contract if he plays at Elland Road. [LNB]'It's not the worst position I have been in since I came here,' said Cotterill, who has been given nomoney to spend in the transfer window by owner Balram Chainrai. [LNB]'That was in August when I was looking for players, but it's pretty bad.' [LNB]Pompey laboured to contain Millwallin the first half when burly strikers Liam Trotter and Steve Morisonplayed on the indecision in Aaron Mokoena's mind after being bookedearly on. [LNB]Trotter put them ahead in agoalmouth scramble and also hit the woodwork as Millwall looked set toextend a four-match unbeaten run. [LNB]But Pompey dominated the second halfand secured a point when keeper David Forde parried David Nugent'sclose-range header into the net. [LNB]'I thought it was a fair result,' said visiting boss Kenny Jackett.[LNB] [LNB] Freezing festive weather sees two Premier League fixtures called off Ramsey and Bale move closer to Olympic contention with GB teamMilan and Prada or Sunderland and Primark: Bruce explains Beckham snub [LNB] Explore more:People: David Nugent Places: Leeds
