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Tuesday, 9th February 2010

Hermann: We must still believe

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Published Date:
23 November 2009
Hermann Hreidarsson dismissed the growing fears Pompey are destined for relegation and fired: We have the quality to survive.
The Iceland defender returned from a foot injury to make his first appearance of the season for the Blues in yesterday's demoralising 1-0 defeat at Stoke City.

After Prince Boateng saw an early penalty saved by Thomas Sorensen, Pompey had the upper hand – until Stoke's late winner for ex-Blues striker Ricardo Fuller.

Despite a 10th Premier League defeat of the season that sees Pompey remain bottom, Hreidarsson – who has been relegated from the top flight with Crystal Palace, Ipswich, Wimbledon and Charlton – believes this Pompey squad has more chance of survival than his previous clubs.

Hreidarsson said: 'Stoke have got 19 points but we were the better side. Everyone can see for themselves there is enough quality here.

'But it's goals that count. The game is about scoring goals and picking up points and we cannot keep saying this for too long.

'We've definitely got more quality than we did when I played in sides that were relegated – 100-per-cent.

'It's a massively tough league. It doesn't matter what players you've got on paper, we've seen some big clubs go down with massive players.

'It's about what you do out on the pitch. You can say things all day, but you have to prove it.

'But I believe we have enough quality and I believe we will get out of this.'

Sadly for Pompey, it was a familiar tale of a decent team performance that failed to yield any points, with only a second-half Jamie O'Hara long-range effort genuinely testing Sorensen.

But Hreidarsson felt the performance merited a better return – especially in the first period when Pompey were by far the better side.

He said: 'The results are massively disappointing, but I don't think you can fault the performance.

'In the first half, there was only one team in the game. Don't get me wrong, they are a difficult side to play against, but I felt that we were the side to be worried about out there.

'It's a bit like West Brom last season. We are playing good football but not picking up the points.

'And I thought we defended alright – I think they had only one shot on target.'

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  • Last Updated: 23 November 2009 1:32 PM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Portsmouth
 
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Pompey Phil in Iwade,

23/11/2009 13:44:15
I don't doubt we have the quality but for the first time this season my ever-present optimism took a knock yesterday. Unless we get some great results over the next 6-7 games we're going to be bottom and adrift.
With the AC of N in Jaunaury/February we'll lose 5 or 6 players and only a significant number of good buys AT THE BEGINING of the transfer window will prevent relegation IMO.
Quality doesn't make points, goals and results do, and missing a penalty and making 1 or 2 defensive errors per game, ain't going to get the results we need.
Worried and concerned in Kent.
2

Mattyc,

23/11/2009 13:46:04
This is my story........ other post number 177. Copy of a copy........
3

stuart,

Fareham 23/11/2009 13:49:16
i thought good defending was stopping other side from scoring. one shot on target was all they needed
4

gtjosdad,

Waterlooville 23/11/2009 13:49:34
Still believe in what Santa, The Tooth Fairy, Gremlins,etc
Certainly not staying up
5

Mattyc,

23/11/2009 13:55:51
all of the above
6

pompeyfanjamo,

23/11/2009 13:56:28
i agree with herman in that we do have the players in certain areas who can do a good job.
but peel away the layers and the squad is thin.
Plus as mentioned by myself before, i do not trust hart with his tactics, player selection and overall ability to keep us safe in the premier league
7

chenzo123,

23/11/2009 14:02:24
AS STATED ON ANOTHER POST. We are a great championship side. THAT'S THE FACT !
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Mattyc,

23/11/2009 14:06:28
and if we are a great championship side then the chances of bouncing straight back yup must be good so relegation as bad as that is would not be the end, far from it. Perhaps a new beginning nbut withput the debt
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bluboy3579,

portsmouth 23/11/2009 14:07:13
It was good to see HH back and playing well. He is right that we were on top for the first half and should have been in front. Stoke were predictable in their play and they pressurised us more and more as the second half went on, and in fairness they looked dangerous. The second half saw our hard working strikers tire. Introducing Smith and Webber would have have given us fresh impetus up front.
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bluboy3579,

portsmouth 23/11/2009 14:11:46
MattyC , you make a good point - we would be optimistic of coming straight back up. I fear we would however be without Jamo, Younis, Nadir, Prince, Yebda, O'Hara etc
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