'Unbelievable Grant should be manager of the year'
Roy Hodgson may have been the overwhelming choice for manager of the year but one former Pompey boss disagrees.
Graham Rix is full of praise for the experienced Fulham boss, whose nous in leading the Cottagers to the Europa League final was recognised with the League Managers' Association award this week.
But he believes Avram Grant's firefighting skills also deserve to be lauded ahead of Pompey's 'David versus Goliath' FA Cup final against Chelsea on Saturday.
While the Israeli was powerless to prevent relegation to the Championship following the club's nine-point deduction for entering administration, he has masterminded an improbable Cup run.
Victory at Wembley on Saturday would surely go down as one of the biggest final upsets ever in the famous old competition.
And Rix, who was at the Fratton Park helm in 2001-02, says Grant's management ability has shone through.
'Grant is a shrewdy as he showed (in the semi-final) against Spurs,' said Rix.
'I've been really impressed with him, what he's done has been unbelievable.
'He's a humble guy and the players obviously want to play for him.
'In my eyes he should be manager of the year and he deserves all the plaudits from the fans.
'He could have walked away but he stuck at it and now look – he gets to lead his team out at Wembley.
'I don't know what it feels like but it must be a great feeling and a great moment.'
Rix is no stranger to Wembley drama, though.
As an Arsenal player he played in three-successive Cup finals from 1978, claiming glory against Manchester United in 1979.
The former England international was also part of Chelsea's back-room staff when the club lifted the Cup in 1997 and was Gianluca Vialli's assistant when they repeated that feat in 2000.
He admits life at Stamford Bridge is a little different to when he was on the payroll, with owner Roman Abramovich's millions transforming expectations.
But despite the imbalance between the sides, Rix believes the Pompey faithful will be relishing their role as underdogs.
He said: 'Chelsea are always well organised and from the days of Jose Mourinho have always been hard to beat.
'They are probably a bit disappointed with their Champions League form but they can still do the double.
'You'd settle for that every year. When we got there in 1997 they hadn't been there for 27 years so it was a massive occasion but they are there most years now, so that takes a bit of edge off it.
'But it's a great final – a real David versus Goliath.
'It's great for the city of Portsmouth and great for the club.'
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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