Source: Team_Talk
Uncertainty for Pompey stars - Brown
Experienced midfielder Michael Brown admits the vast majority of Portsmouth's first-team squad are playing for their future.[LNB] The South Coast club have endured a turbulent 2009/10 campaign, with off-field troubles undermining their efforts all season.[LNB]Financial instability has cost them dear, with a nine-point penalty incurred for becoming the first Premier League team to enter administration.[LNB]That sanction looks destined to condemn them to relegation out of the top-flight, with it only a matter of time before that fate is confirmed.[LNB]The club must then start to plan for life in the Championship and a bid to bounce back at the first time of asking.[LNB]There will, however, be an inevitable exodus of talent over the summer, with Brown admitting that the squad could be down to the bare bones by the time pre-season training gets underway.[LNB]"There are maybe nine or 10 players who are contracted for next season and the rest will go," the midfielder told Sky Sports News.[LNB]"There are lots of loanees and lots of players out of contract. Whether those nine or 10 also stay, we are not sure as yet."[LNB]David James will be among those expected to leave Fratton Park over the summer, with the veteran keeper very much a top-flight performer.[LNB]Before then, though, he has a World Cup to think about, and the 39-year-old shot-stopper admits he needs to finish the season strongly with Pompey if he is to force his way into Fabio Capello's plans.[LNB]"Of course I want to be at the World Cup and ideally to be the number one there, but the situation is about focusing on Portsmouth," he said.[LNB]"Having missed the game on Saturday (against Blackburn) through injury it is important that from Sunday and there on in I make sure I am doing the right stuff and not having any breakdowns."[LNB]Portsmouth take on Tottenham this weekend in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, with the club looking to take the famous trophy for a second time in three years.
