Pompey 1 - Bolton 0
That's the thing with Paul Hart, he says it how it is. None of this fancy patter or sugar-coated spin.
A spade is a spade just as much as a shovel is a shovel.
And he's used both to dig Pompey out of the situation he inherited.
Tony Adams had a reputation for rubbing shoulders with the stars above rather than keeping his feet grounded on planet Earth.
Meanwhile, the dearly-departed Harry Redknapp was renowned for saying one thing and doing the other during his time at Pompey. Both his departures testify to that.
But Hart is as good as his word.
When he promised this stage of the season would not be pretty he was not kidding. Never has ugliness appeared so unashamedly attractive to a manager.
Those Pompey fans digging deep to follow their side's progress the length and breadth of the country are hardly being treated to champagne football.
Nonetheless, it's proven incredibly effective.
Ultimately, it's a style which will pave the way for more trips to Manchester United, Arsenal and Spurs next season.
Even the goal which signalled the latest massive step forwards in the Blues' survival battle was unsightly.
In fact, in football purist terms it was downright hideous. A boil on the face of the much-trumpeted Premier League beauty.
Hart did warn us, though.
Such was its manner, fans poured out of Fratton Park come the final whistle still unconvinced as to the identity of its scorer.
Granted, substitute Nadir Belhadj was the indisputable architect.
Quite who got the final touch amid the sprawling bodies was anyone's guess.
It would not be until the broadcast of Match of Day before the identity was finally revealed in classic whodunit fashion.
Step forward Mr Kanu, the man with a habit of netting scrappy goals which prove to be simply priceless.
His FA Cup decider was by no means a classic, but it will be worshipped until the end of time among Pompey circles.
There he was again on Saturday, tangling with Jussi Jaaskalainen and somehow unceremoniously bundling Belhadj's corner over the line.
Even then that had to be clarified by a replay. No wonder so many doubts lingered among those present at the final whistle.
In truth, it mattered not which individual had netted it. Even Hayden Mullins would have been lauded to the heavens had he been responsible.
Judging from the boos which harshly continue to dog his every stray pass, he's someone that certainly needs to win favour.
It's the league table that invariably matters, though, and Kanu's little cameo stretched the distance between Pompey and the relegation zone to a welcoming six points.
Surely now one more triumph from the remaining six matches will be enough to book them in for another Premier League season at the very least.
And cracking the whip is the man who a mere week earlier was booed and lambasted by Blues fans everywhere.
In many ways, the Bolton encounter justified criticism over the manner in which Pompey carry themselves during these difficult days.
In another, it bolsters Hart's view that it's the only means possible to successfully fight off the threat of relegation with the players at his disposal.
A return of 13 points from eight matches is rapidly proving the former Nottingham Forest boss knows precisely what he is doing.
Not that Saturday was quite as unpleasant to survey as some of Pompey's recent fixtures. Far from it.
It was a massive improvement on Hull and West Brom before it, matches in which the prospect of precious points were carelessly allowed to slip from the grasp.
In the first half alone, Pompey's willingness to attack, coupled with their defensive might, allowed them to dominate over Gary Megson's side.
Hart had decided to restore returning duo Sean Davis and Glen Johnson into his starting line-up, a move no doubt applauded by the fans.
He also elected to retain Younes Kaboul at right-back, prompting Johnson to replace the benched Jermaine Pennant.
Richard Hughes also found himself on a bench noticeably minus Greek duo Theofanis Gekas and Angelos Basinas as their troubled time in English football continues.
It was Johnson, in particular, who would prove to be Pompey's biggest threat in that opening 45 minutes as he relished his opportunity further field to bare down on goal.
He came closest to breaking the deadlock with a lung-busting surge through the heart of the Bolton defence, which Jaaskelainen did well to beat out.
Moments later, Andy O'Brien's weak back pass was picked up by the outstanding Kranjcar and he squared to Johnson who crashed a shot straight at the keeper.
On 37 minutes it was the England man again, this time seeing another fierce drive finger-tipped on to the post by the busy Jaaskelainen.
In reply, Johan Elmander's low left-footed effort was all the visitors had to show in the opening half but that was well-dealt with by David James.
Pompey dipped after the break as frustration began to creep in over that elusive breakthrough.
Then with 20 minutes remaining Kanu was thrown on as Hart employed two up front.
Matters worsened on 77 minutes when Kranjcar was stretchered off with an ankle injury following Gavin McCann's clumsy challenged.
It heralded the entrance of Belhadj (left) – and with virtually his first touch he inspired the only goal of the game.
In came the corner, Kanu swooped and Pompey were a step nearer safety.
Come the final whistle, John Westwood's returning bell chimed, Brian Kidd's spring-loaded celebrations caught the eye while James gladly shook Hart's hand as he made his way off the pitch.
The encounter had been as unattractive as the Blues boss had so unabashedly predicted, no more, no less.
His players regularly gush they know where they stand with the current manager.
The fans do, too.
And all will be standing in the Premier League come next season if this progress can be maintained.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 14 C to 23 C
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Wind direction: North west
