The Hermannator is back again to his brilliant best
Fists clenched, snarl chiselled across his face and oozing raw aggression, Hermann Hreidarsson is every inch Pompey's prizefighter.
No wonder he can never be knocked down for long.
Underestimate the veteran defender at your peril – he just comes back stronger, angrier and even more dangerous.
Largely written off this season, firstly by Harry Redknapp and then Tony Adams, Hreidarsson has come roaring back in his own inimitable manner.
From tottering on the brink of quitting Pompey in January, he's become the fulcrum of the Blues' battle against relegation.
Goals – and trademark handsprings – in successive Fratton Park games have ensured the cult figure is back with a bang.
Now restored to his left-back slot, the 34-year-old is revelling being back in the first-team picture.
And Hreidarsson has no intentions of surrendering.
He said: 'I didn't really feel the manager (Adams) had the confidence in me because he wasn't playing me, so if my chance came I was desperate to take it.
'There was nothing I could do about that, but every time I play I want to play well and do well for the team, myself and my club.
'It is true, I was questioning my future.
'I had great times here last season but this season I wasn't playing.
'I've never been in a position like that in my career, ever.
'It's just something that I don't like. I just have to play football, it's one of those things, and I'm a nicer guy around my family as well.
'I did speak to Tony about it and he was very keen to keep me here, so I thought the best solution was to stay here and play football.
'For me, last season was the best of my career, what with winning the FA Cup and enjoying a good Premier League career with Portsmouth.
'I didn't want to leave really – but I wanted to play football.
'At my age you need to keep playing.
'When I finish football it's going to be the end of it but, while I can still play and while I'm fit enough, I want to be able to play.
'There were a few agents who spoke to me, they were talking about Rangers and Celtic.
'I don't know if they were lying or not – it never went as far as me talking to the clubs.
'I wasn't speaking to them because Tony said I wasn't going anywhere.'
Hreidarsson made just two league starts during the first half of the season.
Such has been the dramatic turn around, he has now started the last four, relegating Nadir Belhadj either to the left-hand side of midfield or to the bench.
With his contract up in the summer, the ex-Ipswich and Charlton defender also has the matter of sorting out his future to contend with.
And there is nowhere else he would rather be.
He added: 'This is a nice family club, the fans are unbelievable and create a great atmosphere here.
'We have got a good footballing team here and the Premier League is the place to be.
'I would like to stay here but at the moment you don't know who is going to take over or whether Paul Hart and Brian Kidd are staying here.
'I'll just carry on playing.
'I am not really worried about the contract and stuff.
'I'll just make sure I do my job on the pitch and we get enough points.
'I'm not too worried about the future.
'Fratton Park is always bouncing.
'It's a nice atmosphere and we are a good footballing side – look at the personnel we have here. I really enjoy it.'
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Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South
