Pompey backed to survive despite points loss
Michael Appleton is not losing hope despite Pompey's impending points loss Picture: Robin Jones
Michael Appleton prepared for a Pompey points deduction but vowed: We’ve got the fight to survive.
The Blues yesterday issued notice to enter administration for the second time in just two years and will now wait for a High Court hearing on Friday for their future to be discussed.
If, as expected, administration is granted, Pompey will face a points deduction of at least 10 points from the Football League, which will plunge them straight into the heat of a relegation battle.
If they are deducted the minimum 10 points, they would currently be outside of the bottom three on goal difference.
But Appleton has already discussed the potential points loss with his players and remains confident his men are relishing the battle ahead of tonight’s visit of Ipswich.
Appleton said: ‘If we did lose the 10 points, we would be outside the relegation zone on goal difference.
‘It’s not a particularly great position to be in, but I can certainly think of worse scenarios.
‘We could be 10 points adrift right at the bottom or from the nearest team above us.
‘So we’ve still got a fighting chance.
‘It’s all about how we attack it from a team and a squad point of view.
‘We’ve spoken openly and honestly with each other about the possible scenarios. One of those was if we were docked points and how we would deal with that or what expectations we would have.
‘That meeting ended up being really positive and I came out of it feeling that, if the worst-case scenario did happen, then the players would be up for the fight and the challenge ahead.’
With 10 points deducted, Pompey would be level on points with third-from-bottom Nottingham Forest, who are led by former Blues boss Steve Cotterill.
But while Appleton’s men currently have a much superior goal difference, he believes the clubs below Pompey would be given a major lift with another team dragged into the battle.
Appleton said: ‘The biggest thing we would have to overcome very quickly would be the morale.
‘You’ve got to hope that it doesn’t take four or five games for the players to get into their heads what has happened to us.
‘You’ve also got to be aware the teams around you and at the bottom of the league will see it as getting a second chance.
‘The effect can be detrimental on us but it can also be an advantage to the other teams down there.’
It remains to be seen whether Pompey will be in for a more severe punishment from the authorities, who could yet decide to impose a bigger points deduction. But Appleton remains heartened by the response from his players.
And he has also urged the club’s supporters to show their worth again after their memorable display of defiance at Bloomfield Road.
Appleton said: ‘Nobody has been paid as yet. But there is a real spirit at this club to do the best they possibly can. You can see from the performance at Blackpool.
‘What is happening at the club should be affecting them but they are certainly doing their best to make sure it doesn’t.
‘The fans were fantastic up at Blackpool. They made it feel like a home game up there.
‘Hopefully, we will have a near full house and have the place jumping.
‘There is always something extra about evening games as well so we hope it’s a special night.’
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Comments
There are 43 comments to this article
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appy go lucky
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 09:54 PMWell that was a let down. we made the noise but the team played cr@p! Sort it out appy!!!
PompeyinOz
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 09:37 PMThe F.A. should get points deducted!!!! Why should the players and the fans get punished for the F.A.'s incompetance in 'due diligence' my arse!!!
Curtainman
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 07:07 PMI'm a Saints fan but am very sorry to see Pompey in their current predicament. Having worked in Southsea for many years I know what it means to you all. Ignore comments from saggy tits or whatever his name is, he's probably a united fan really. Supporters of smaller teams like ours appreciate how difficult it is to survive and saints went through some rubbish a few years back. Good luck and keep supporting your team, even if it's not mine!
MTH
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 05:12 PM39bestest: A lot of stains come here with logical and good points but when a pr1ck like saggy comes on here he deserves all the flack........PUP
bestest
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 04:41 PMre saggy chops We are completely screwed and they are on the up. Need to direct our pain somewhere else. Its an argument that for now we are only going to loose. Stadium, academy (chamberlain £15M ffs - ex pompey's son), wealthy owners and no debt. Harping on about passion and history is just that. History. Let's face it. Scum are 10 years, at least, ahead of us.
pompeypn1
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 03:25 PM1.48 pm I posted my challenging comment!! Either it shut saggy chops up or he's an Italian stalion when it comes to sister mums
ChimChiminee
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 03:22 PMFrom your post saggy chops I can see you ain't got a clue... But then it's a sign of the times with the governments policy on 'care in the community' I have spent my life supporting one club and have only found 2 clubs that I consistently rate for fans support over all those years, both on and off the pitch! That's Pompey and The Geordie crowd... I know no matter what happens to Pompey they will always have better and more passionate support than the team you think you support! I truly hope Pompey finds an owner worthy of its fans and finds a way to get stronger financially .... The league, or football as a whole and the enjoyment it brings us all would be a lesser place without this club and it's great support...
Forward Defensive
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 03:16 PMIf Pompey can survive on and off the pitch after all this then it will be some achievement. Massive game tonight PUP
spectre
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 03:13 PMit is not funny watching any football club being destroyed there are many clubs in the same position but the fans only lose their football and so called bragging rights but every one of those clubs are losing working guys who have homes and families to provide for and in this time of recession they will end up sruggling to survive . that whoever you areand whatever you call your thoughtless self is certainly NOT FUNNY
blue bob
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 02:13 PMSaggychops, I'll bet you look just like your name describes you, a fat, useless lump of blubber.
MTH
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 01:54 PMSaggy chops: be it Wembly or Fratton or Moneyfields or a local Park or indeed st Fairy's we will still show more passion and make more noise then your sorry lot of boo boys.......as you will find out in April........PUP
pompeypn1
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 01:48 PMSaggy chops, post again when you've finished nailing your sister mum!!
0k
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 01:41 PMSaggy chops you are one vile sad little imp... Glad your having so much fun, but what happens when we go out of existence what will you do then laugh for a couple of weeks with a smug look on that face knowing you played your part... But then your life will be meaningless just a sad excuse of a man relishing in the downfall of true football fans plight..... You should take heed and read what true football fans from your neck of the woods are saying on other post's...
russian chris
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 01:40 PM26 -With a name like yours,youve already fallen apart.
bluelagoon
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 01:05 PMJohn Beech at footballmanagement thought 17 because 10 points is mandatory minimum plus what the FL want to add, but this will take time because it's a unique situation, no other football club has ever got itself into quite this fix before.
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