Source: Daily_Mail
Referees are against us! Angry Avram hits out at Premier League officials
Avram Grant has hit out at referees for continually giving decisions against Portsmouth. [LNB]Grant's side slumped to a 2-1 home defeat against Stoke on Saturday, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the Barclays Premier League. [LNB]As a former Chelsea manager, Grant was used to smaller clubs complaining about decisions going in favour of the big clubs. But, now that he is on the receiving end, the Israeli can see why there were so many protests. [LNB] On target: Frederic Piquionne scores but it wasn't enough as Pompey lost 2-1[LNB]Portsmouth had a goal harshly ruled out for offside by referee Mike Dean in the first half, when Quincy Owusu-Abeyie played in Frederic Piquionne, who chipped the ball in. [LNB]Grant complained: 'It's amazing what's happened with the referee. Every game we have had other situations like that - against Sunderland, no penalties for us. It's happened too many times. It's a fact that we need to deal with.[LNB] 'We feel that there are too many wrong decisions against us, but we're trying to deal with it and we're used to it. So my players were not so angry.' [LNB]Down in the dumps! Furious Portsmouth boss Avram Grant [LNB]Portsmouth players were given a tough time by Ricardo Fuller, who is likely to face an FA charge after dragging his studs down Jamie O'Hara's shorts, ripping them. [LNB]Grant added: 'It's not easy to play against teams when their strength is set-pieces and physical contact. I think first half, we did a good job. Also, we started the second half well. But, with the first corner, they scored. But this is football, you know. Only these count.' [LNB]On a more positive note, he praised Frederic Piquionne, who recovered from his disallowed strike to score Portsmouth's only goal of the game.[LNB]'It was his best game for us,' said Grant. 'He was very good. He passed the ball, his movement was good. He scored two goals, but the referee allowed only one goal. [LNB]'He did well also at set-pieces because he's a tall player, so we missed him in the second half after he was substituted. It was a big loss because any player that plays a good first half we want him to continue, but he was injured. It was his hamstring.' [LNB]Grant also gave his support to Marc Wilson, who was at fault for both Stoke goals, saying: 'He's a young guy. He has played a lot of games. He didn't plan to play so much because he's in his first year, but because we lost Younes Kaboul and Tal Ben Haim - and we don't have other defenders and we couldn't bring in another defender - he played many games. He did well but, as a young player, he sometimes makes mistakes.' [LNB] Silencing the crowd: Salif Diao netted a stoppage-time winner for Stoke [LNB]Raising spirits in the dressing room will be tough, Grant admitted. 'It is difficult because, with all the problems off the pitch, we're trying to put everything on the side. They come to the pitch, they are fighting, and then we come away with zero points. It's not easy. [LNB] 'It's a hard job. The challenge is to keep the club alive more than anything. I think, when everybody sees the team spirit, that they do not give up, it affects even the decision of the judge. Because they see that the players and the fans and everybody are trying to keep this team alive. [LNB] 'I know that ,as long as we have a chance, we need to show spirit - fighting until we don't have a chance.' [LNB] Portsmouth fans turn on Storrie: Chief executive suffers 'serious threats'Portsmouth 1 Stoke 2: Salif Diao delivers another blow to PompeyPREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: Follow all the action from the Emirates, Fratton Park, Upton Park and Molineux.Pompey's future looks grim as Premier League tell them: You can't sell nowPORTSMOUTH FC
