Wilson in no mood for excuses
Marc Wilson refused to accept tiredness was behind lacklustre Pompey's disappointing Birmingham defeat.
Hopes were last night high of Avram Grant's men repeating the trick and tasting victory once more over the side they recorded a 2-0 win over on Saturday.
Yet Alex McLeish's men got their revenge over a clearly jaded Pompey with a 2-1 triumph.
The hosts looked lethargic and shattered as they failed to get anywhere near the exhilarating performance which saw them book a Wembley return three days earlier.
Wilson himself was taken off at the break for Angelos Basinas as part of a double substitution from Grant designed to reinvigorate his side.
It wasn't enough as Birmingham held on for victory, Kanu grabbing a last-gasp Pompey consolation.
It leaves Grant's side five points adrift of Premier League safety at present – even before the anticipated nine-point deduction.
But Wilson was in no mood for excuses.
And he is adamant last night's scoreline had nothing to do with player exhaustion.
He said: 'What the problem was is a difficult question. I couldn't put my finger on it.
'But I don't think the lads were tired – no, not at all.
'We've played a lot of football to be honest, but then again Birmingham also played the other day so we can't give that as an excuse.
'I think they scored two very lucky goals, two sloppy goals from our point of view. But we really haven't created a lot of chances, so that's the reason.
'You can't point the finger of blame at players supposedly being tired. I don't think that's right.
'I know they've made more changes than us and that boils down to our squad. They've got a few more players in their squad than us.
'With the situation here and embargo, we can't bring any other players in and I think that has benefited Birmingham in that respect.
'But I don't think you can put the result down to tiredness.
'The players gave everything, they really did. It just didn't happen for us.'
Pompey now have 10 matches left until the end of the season.
Realistically, that is not going to be enough to preserve a proud status they have held since 2003.
Of course, the expected nine-point deduction will see to that, although Grant's men didn't do themselves any favours by losing last night.
The result leaves them four points adrift of the side directly above them – Burnley.
And Wilson admitted the Birmingham loss was a massive blow to any lingering hopes of remaining in the top flight.
He added: 'I'm not too sure what's going on about the nine points, but the lads saw last night as a real opportunity.
'Unfortunately, we missed it. To think we could have gone within two points of safety.
'That's what you've got to do. Until the nine points come off we have to keep playing and keep going as though we can get out of it.
'You just never know.'
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Weather for Portsmouth
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 15 C to 23 C
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