Avram came close with Chelsea but he can earn success at Pompey
Avram Grant came within touching distance of hoisting aloft three trophies in a Chelsea season.
But he's been backed to be triumphant in his latest challenge.
That's the verdict of Jason Cundy, who is convinced Fratton Park's new boss is the man to keep the Blues in the Premier League.
As Chelsea TV's resident pundit, the ex-Pompey defender saw at first hand Grant's managerial impact in the 2007-08 campaign.
Having taken over from Jose Mourinho in September 2007, the Israeli led them to the Carling Cup final and the Champions League final, where they lost to Spurs and Manchester United respectively.
They also came within 90 minutes of claiming the Premier League title, the Red Devils' win at Wigan on the last day of the campaign instead ensuring its destination was Old Trafford.
Now Grant has taken over the reins at Pompey, looking to provide the inspiration to haul them up the table towards safety.
It's going to be tough.
But Cundy is adamant the Blues can stay up under the leadership of the 54-year-old.
He said: 'Obviously Avram inherited a very, very, very good team at Chelsea.
'But what he did was show the intelligence not to actually change anything.
'He didn't need to do much because not much needed altering. I think he recognised that and all credit to him because by doing that he came close to winning an awful lot that year.
'The players respected him, he played some really good stuff and it was only on one kick that he didn't win the Champions League.
'Avram's at Portsmouth now and I actually don't think they will go down. I have a feeling they will get out of it.
'I have already seen enough of them this season to have worked out they have been unlucky and fortune hasn't gone their way.
'There is spirit there, spirit which Avram can harness and help them turn things around.
'They had a chance before he went there and now I think they have an even better one with him there.
'Sure, his managerial skills are going to be put to the test but he's a lovely guy – you couldn't wish to meet a nicer man – and he's got a lot of footballing knowledge.
'In fact, I can possibly see them getting something out of the United game tomorrow.
'Historically, Pompey always do well against them at Fratton Park and if you throw in the Grant factor and a crowd that's up for it, I think it could work in their favour.'
Grant's sole season saw Chelsea finish just two points behind champions Manchester United.
He later suffered heartbreak when they lost out on penalties to United in the Champions League final.
In total, he oversaw 36 wins and just five defeats in his 54 matches in charge at Stamford Bridge.
Cundy added: 'When Jose left so unceremoniously, he had Didier Drogba injured, it had not been a great start to the season and there was personality clashes.
'Up stepped Avram and he used his know-how to get things back on track.
'The players also took control. They stood tall, came to the plate and the club nearly won three trophies.
'However, Avram did get his team selection badly wrong against Spurs in the Carling Cup.
'He left Joe Cole and Michael Ballack on the bench, played Nicolas Anelka wide right and it never came off.
'He was never going to be able to move things on at the club continually. I'm not sure he would have moved them in the direction they are under Carlo Ancelotti.
'But give him a lot of credit for coming into a very difficult situation and almost getting three trophies.' I have a feeling they will get out of it.
‘I have already seen enough of them this season to have worked out they have been unlucky and fortune hasn't gone their way.
‘There is spirit there, spirit which Avram can harness and help them turn things around.
‘They had a chance before he went there and now I think they have an even better one with him there.
‘Sure, his managerial skills are going to be put to the test but he's a lovely guy - you couldn't wish to meet a nicer man - and he's got a lot of footballing knowledge.
‘In fact, I can possibly see them getting something out of the United game tomorrow.
‘Historically, Pompey always do well against them at Fratton Park and if you throw in the Grant factor and a crowd that's up for it, I think it could work in their favour.'
Grant's sole season saw Chelsea finish just two points behind champions Manchester United.
He later suffered heartbreak when they lost out on penalties to United in the Champions League final.
In total, he oversaw 36 wins and just five defeats in his 54 matches in charge at Stamford Bridge.
Cundy added: ‘When Jose left so unceremoniously, he had Didier Drogba injured, it had not been a great start to the season and there was personality clashes.
‘Up stepped Avram and he used his know-how to get things back on track.
‘The players also took control. They stood tall, came to the plate and the club nearly won three trophies.
‘However, Avram did get his team selection badly wrong against Spurs in the Carling Cup.
‘He left Joe Cole, below left, and Michael Ballack on the bench, played Nicolas Anelka wide right and it never came off.
‘He was never going to be able to move things on at the club continually. I'm not sure he would have moved them in the direction they are under Carlo Ancelotti.
‘But give him a lot of credit for coming into a very difficult situation and almost getting three trophies.'
Avram came close with
Chelsea - but he can
earn success at Pompey
Former ace who's played for both Blues backs Grant to be success and steer Pompey towards top-flight safety
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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