Source: Team_Talk
Utaka: I have nothing to prove to fans
Portsmouth forward John Utaka insists he has nothing to prove to the fans in the next two games despite a mixed three years at Fratton Park.[LNB] Utaka cost the debt-ridden club £7million when he joined from Rennes in July 2007 but has scored just 10 goals in 85 appearances for Pompey.[LNB]However, the Nigerian could write himself into Pompey folklore if he adds to that tally next weekend and helps Avram Grant's side to FA Cup glory.[LNB]And he will head into the showpiece occasion at Wembley unaffected by the criticism heaped on him as he seeks another cup winners' medal.[LNB]"I don't go out there thinking I have to prove anything," said Utaka, who set up the goal for compatriot Nwankwo Kanu to win the cup for Harry Redknapp's Pompey against Cardiff two years ago.[LNB]"Yes, I've had criticism but you get criticism whatever you do at this level and, for me, I believe it is all in the past.[LNB]"I have won one cup final here in England and another in Paris with Rennes. Now I want to win another and if we can do that I think it will be our way of repaying a debt to the fans."[LNB]Pompey have knocked out three Premier League rivals on the way back to Wembley - Sunderland, Birmingham and Tottenham.[LNB]It is a far cry from when they faced only one top-flight side - Manchester United in the quarter finals - on their triumphant 2008 run.[LNB]Most pundits would rule out a repeat against Chelsea, but Utaka is upbeat over the possibility of an upset.[LNB]"I don't believe in such words as impossible," he said. "You've got to keep a strong belief.[LNB]"We always kept a strong belief because if we didn't we wouldn't have reached the cup final. We kept believing we were capable of doing it.[LNB]"If you don't do that you shouldn't be playing football. This is a big opportunity for us to repay the fans and make them happy again. We want to make ourselves and our families happy as well."[LNB]Despite the glory of another Wembley appearance, relegation and massive money problems have cast a shadow over Pompey this term. They have had a succession of new owners who could not deliver and finally went into administration in February.[LNB]Grant, who replaced Paul Hart as manager in November, has won plaudits for his efforts in trying to keep Pompey's dignity intact but he has again warned that he will have to consider his future unless new owners are found.[LNB]Administrator Andrew Andronikou has announced a £10,000-per-week pay cap for players in the Championship next season but, unless new owners are found, Pompey face another possible points deduction.[LNB]Grant said: "We need to sign up with someone - that is for sure."[LNB]The 55-year-old Israeli added: "I've told the administrator I just need to see some facts about where we are going.[LNB]"And I need to know those facts before too much longer. We have a new season and new contracts to sort and preparation has to start soon for it all.[LNB]"Carrying a debt of the size which has been announced (£138million) would make getting back to the Premier League impossible."[LNB]The players too are in the dark on the subject, but Utaka has promised the players will put such worries aside for the cup final.[LNB]"To be honest, the players can't think about the money," he said. "None of us really know what is happening on that side.[LNB]"I think all we can do is focus everything on winning the FA Cup final and then see what happens afterwards.[LNB]"Somebody once said there is always light at the end of a dark tunnel and maybe that is what we are going to find.[LNB]"It would be nice to win at Wembley again and go to the World Cup with Nigeria where we are confident of making good progress with a good team.[LNB]"I don't mind what criticism there is of me if those things can happen."
