Kitson warns Pompey over new boss

David Lampitt is still in talks with West Bromwich Albion over compensation for Michael Appleton.

The Baggies’ assistant head coach remains the Blues’ prime candidate to bring their 25-day hunt for a new boss to an end.

In the meantime, Guy Whittingham and Stuart Gray continue to oversee matters.

For Pompey’s players, the state of limbo represents the opportunity to cement their own Fratton futures.

Kitson insists he and his team-mates are only too aware any new manager is monitoring their progress.

Failure to impress could well see them dumped from the side when the appointment is finally made.

And the forward, who capped an impressive display against Nottingham Forest on Saturday with a goal, was adamant that fear has driven Pompey on during a period which has seen them reap 10 points from six games.

Kitson said: ‘Who should be the manager is not for us to say.

‘I wouldn’t dream of telling the owner of a football club what to do because it is a thankless task.

‘It’s bad enough being told what to do as a player – but clearly the wheels are in motion to put somebody in.

‘As a player there is nothing we can do about it.

‘But I think everyone is well aware that someone is watching and someone is going to get hold of all these videos and watch them back.

‘Nobody wants to be the one who the new manager says “okay, that is the change I am going to make”.

‘We have to perform while all this is going on.

‘And whoever it is put in charge, we are going to have to carry on this form.

‘It doesn’t matter if it’s Steve Coppell coming in or anybody else – the lads are going to try their hardest and we need more performances like the one on Saturday.

‘I would be surprised if the manager hunt went past the international period, though.

‘From all the rumours it looks as though something is going to happen.’

After around 50 applicants and 25 days, Appleton has emerged as the outstanding candidate for the Blues.

As revealed first by The News, Pompey made their move to make him their new manager last week and are now discussing compensation.

Baggies boss Roy Hodgson has already spoken of his admiration for the 35-year-old. The Premier League club would dearly love to keep hold of him in their coaching ranks.

Yet the opportunity of a first job in management is one which attracts Appleton.

It now remains for Pompey chief executive Lampitt to come to an agreement with his West Brom counterpart Mark Jenkins.

The Baggies have announced they will not stand in Appleton’s way.

Yet they are determined not to let him leave on the cheap.

That will mean reaching a settlement on the 12-month rolling contract the former Manchester United midfielder is currently tied to.

It is hoped that will be nothing more than a formality.

And Appleton is expected to be Pompey boss before the week is out.