Stars won't leave before semi
Andrew Andronikou has promised fans no Pompey players will be sacrificed ahead of the FA Cup semi-final.
The administrator yesterday slashed 85 Fratton Park jobs on a black day in the Blues' history.
Among them were several members of Avram Grant's backroom staff, although none are high profile.
The fear remains, however, players will be sold outside the transfer window as the club looks to bring in vital revenue.
The cancellation of loan agreements, like the one that brought FA Cup hero Frederic Piquionne to Fratton, to save on wages is also a consideration, with Pompey having six temporary transfers on their books.
At least it has been con-firmed players cannot be made redundant due to protection afforded to them by the PFA.
Still, the prospect of several stars departing Fratton Park ahead of the Sunday, April 11 clash with either Spurs or Fulham at Wembley is a worrying one.
Yet Andronikou has urged fans to remain calm.
And he has pledged no players will be leaving the club before that tantalising date in four weeks time.
He said: 'Selling players is an option but first I need to broach the subject with the Premier League. I need their concession.
'As an alternative from looking at the Premier League advancing TV money, I suggested to them to possibly open the window to allow me to sell two players on a loan-back.
'It's one of those subjects we need to discuss further with the Premier League.
'However, I will not be looking to sell players before the semi-final and I will not be looking to cancel loan agreements before the semi-
final.
'With players, I've got a difficult position because there is a balance to apply.
'On the subject of football, the club has now got itself in the semi-finals and I definitely want to give the club every opportunity to enjoy that day and get into the final to restore some pride here.
'The minute I start tinkering with the football part it will be a big mistake. I can promise I will leave that until after the semi-final.'
Andronikou did, though, reveal he had considered cuts in playing staff – yet has had to rule that out.
The Blues currently have 40 playing staff, around a third of the total staff the club employs.
Among those who departed yesterday were all part-time youth development coaches in addition to around 20 youth scouts.
But Andronikou admitted he is unable to axe members of Grant's squad.
He added: 'The players are very much protected by the PFA and unfortunately I am unable to make any cuts in the playing staff.
'They are very much the shop window of the club so instead I hope they can attract a buyer to this club.'
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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