Source: Telegraph
Portsmouth 'can be strong again' after administration, says Paul Hart
The Premier League's bottom club will officially go into administration this morning, with the automatic nine-point penalty virtually condemning them to relegation. [LNB]Portsmouth owner Balram Chainrai took the decision yesterday evening after talks with four interested groups failed to lead to a takeover of the club, which has £70 million debts. [LNB] Related ArticlesPortsmouth to enter administrationPortsmouth fans demand the truthPortsmouth owner to be paid firstDavid James on Portsmouth's futurePortsmouth plight reflects badlyPortsmouth set for administration on FridayThe process of going into administration has already begun and this will be completed in the High Court this morning. [LNB]However, Hart told BBC Radio Five Live: "I think the club can be strong again if they use some foresight and planning and adopt a restructuring programme. [LNB]"It looks like administration is necessary and hopefully will give the club a chance to recover." [LNB]Hart, sacked in November after just four months officially at the Fratton Park helm, continued: "It was difficult in many ways but it's a good club and I really enjoyed the experience. [LNB]"The extent of the problems weren't obvious when I took over as manager. [LNB]"I think we were still quite positive and hopeful we could manage but when we reported back for pre-season the signs were not good. [LNB]"We had to sell a couple of players and the ability to bring players in was difficult, that was becoming more obvious. [LNB]"In terms of reassurances, there weren't really any... we weren't having those sort of conversations." [LNB]The former Chesterfield, Nottingham Forest and Barnsley manager feels for the predicament facing the Hampshire club's fans and employees. [LNB]Hart added: "The supporters have been long suffering and there are some very good conscientious people who work there we should be thinking about because their jobs are in a precarious position. [LNB]"The players have done very little wrong and conducted themselves well. There are a lot of good people at the club and we tend to forget them." [LNB]
