New Portsmouth boss Avram Grant is confident that he can turn around the club’s fortunes…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: soccer team. For a different topic see las vegas crowd levels. The blog is also related to: footbal soccer.

There are some good games on tap this weekend. The biggest one is probably the Arsenal/Chelsea match Sunday afternoon. Both squads have been playing well and winning. Arsenal is eight points back from first place Chelsea, but is definitely capable of knocking off the leaders. On Saturday, fourth place Tottenham plays away to fifth place Aston Villa in a game that could have major top four implications. And of course, there’s the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton, which is always a hard fought match.

Saturday, November 28
Blackburn vs. Stoke – 8:30 p.m. ET/Setanta (Delayed)
Fulham vs. Bolton – 5 p.m. ET/Setanta (Delayed)
Manchester City vs. Hull – 9:55 a.m. ET/Setanta (Live)
Portsmouth vs. Manchester United – 9:45 a.m. ET/ESPN2 (Live)
West Ham vs. Burnley – 10 a.m. ET/Fox Soccer (Live)
Wigan vs. Sunderland – 7 p.m. ET/Fox Soccer (Delayed)
Aston Villa vs. Tottenham – 12:30 p.m. ET/Fox Soccer (Live)

Sunday, November 29
Wolves vs. Birmingham – 7 p.m. ET/Fox Soccer (Delayed)
Everton vs. Liverpool – 8:25 a.m. ET/Setanta (Live)
Arsenal vs. Chelsea – 11 a.m. ET/Fox Soccer (Live)

Scharner: Dodgy hair, dodgy goal

Continuing the Microsoft Paint Stories Of The Week series (soon to be re-named ‘Baron-Watch’), this week we once again catch up with Baron Silas Greenback (aka Avram Grant), and it certainly appears that he’s been keeping himself busy of late.

Not only has the amphibious super-villain been officially appointed as Portsmouth manager (as predicted here on Eddie’s Football Blog), but there have also been one or two unexplained events in the past week, both of which I am fairly certain he had something to do with.

Now, as we all know from ‘Danger Mouse’ (the reality TV series in which Greenback featured heavily during the 1980s) The Baron has a history of going to great lengths to create the perfect ‘Kansas City Shuffle’ – a moment in which he makes us all look one way (via a distraction), whilst he sneakily steps in to take over the world. I have highlighted examples of this before…

Stealing all of the world’s sign-posts. Sending tins of exploding custard to every household on the planet. Turning elephants into sugar cubes. Stuff like that. Ideas that could only conceivably be contrived by an evil toad.

Naturally therefore, when I stumbled across an article this afternoon citing ‘mysterious toilet blockages’ on an entire fleet of Cathay Pacific aeroplanes, my suspicions were raised. Perhaps the plan this time is to drain all of the world’s oceans? Think about it… the entire population of earth, all wildly flushing their porcelain thrones at once. The water usage would go off the chart.

Well, it’s either that, or he’s plotting a world-wide shortage of drain unblocking products. Just think of a world without drain unblocking products. All hell would break loose. Indian restaurants would fight and squabble over the remaining supplies and, worse of all, we’d all have to start using bidets due to the constant fear of clogging our own crappers. Yes, that’s right, we’d basically all become French.

I can see the fear on your face now. He must be stopped.

Talking of the French, and insanely long introductions out of the way, this leads me nicely on to the second of the unexplained phenomena that has occurred more than once in the past week. Namely, the act of scoring a goal in professional football, having blatantly committed a handball prior to putting the ball in the onion bag.

Both Thierry Henry (the goal that broke Irish hearts. Well, unless you’re Roy Keane), and Paul Scharner (the ‘1′ in Wigan’s 9-1 walloping at Tottenham) have scored goals of this ilk in the past week. Both have got away with it. My question is how?

Suspecting Greenback, I headed to his lair at Portsmouth’s Blue Reef aquarium earlier this week. Passing myself off as ‘Mr Grant’s Wart Removal Technician’ I gained entry, and this is what I discovered…

I think I know what’s been going on now.

Greenback has known all season that, at some point, he was going to be asked to replace Paul Hart as manager. It’s one of the worst kept secrets of all time. Right up there with Tom Cruise’s homosexuality. However, with this knowledge came responsibility. When he became manager, he was going to have to improve Pompey’s form.

Henry: Giving Greenback's invention the high-five

Knowing that his squad wasn’t anywhere near good enough to stay up on their own, and given that he is an super-villain with a lair, an evil crow assistant, and more than a few masterplans up his sleeve, Greenback got to work on a couple of ideas he’d had to improve his team’s performance. The first of these was injecting a ‘Striker’s Serum’ into Aruna Dindane, in the hope that the Ivorian would end up scoring a bucket load of goals. As you’ll remember, it started with a hat-trick, and ended with a threesome. It turned out that the ‘Scoring Serum’ wasn’t specific to football, and the Baron was forced to abandon Dindane’s regular injections after the goals dried up.

Now though, it looks as though Greenback has a new concept to use. A footballing aid called ‘The Invisible Handball’. Basically it is a specially designed synthetic forearm and hand combination that, when attached to a footballer, is completely invisible to the referee and his assistants. It means that a footballer can control, dribble, and even score a goal with their hand, and the officials will not see any offence.

The prototype was tested by Greenback’s father (Earl Greenback) during the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, on a certain young Argentinean by the name of Diego Maradona. It worked brilliantly during a match against England, but after Maradona refused to remove his new hand because he saw it as a good way to get cocaine past customs officials, Earl Greenback abandoned the experiment. Now, in the knowledge that he’ll be taking over such a poorly equipped Premier League team, Greenback Junior has resurrected it.

The product was tested last week on France Captain (and shaving enthusiast) Thierry Henry, and Wigan utility man (and Austrian style icon) Paul Scharner. On both occasions (as mentioned above) the protagonists used their new hand to score via an unfathomably dodgy handball. This obviously means that ‘The Invisible Handball’ passed its test with flying colours. There is, however, no word on either player having become a coke-mule for an underground gang of Colombians since their match. I’ll keep you posted though.

As ever, Baron Greenback looks on from his office as his evil crow henchman prepares to remove the hand from Scharner, in order to get it attached to Ivorian science experiment Dindane, and ready for this weekend’s visit of Manchester United. So, if you see a dodgy handball from young Aruna this Saturday, you’ll now know why the referee allowed play to continue.

It also seems that MI5 are also suspicious of Greenback’s activities (perhaps they read the blocked plane toilets atricle too), as they sent one of their agents into his lair on the day I was conducting my investigation. However, after failing to desguise himself, and following a cliché-filled chat in the Baron’s office, the vodka martini drinking agent ‘fell’ through a trap-door (that just happened to randomly open below his feet) and into a pool of sharks with freekin’ lazerrrs attached to them. He never stood a chance.

So, whether you’re worried about Portsmouth’s new ability to score goals, the possibility that you might have to cleanse your nether regions like a Frenchman in the near future, or just the concerned about the prospect of reading yet another article dedicated to a cartoon character lookalike, it is clear that this man must be stopped.

Where the hell is Danger Mouse when you need him, eh? Let’s hope that he has suffered the same fate as this little chap…

Gameweek 14 reaches us as we start the middle third of the season. Week 13 saw few surprises though we did get the highest ever individual score. I made the error of having Fabregas as captain which I didn’t especially feel comfortable with but didn’t have many other options with Lampard and Drogba out injured, and Rooney out of form.

I did have David Dunn but didn’t fancy him due to two away games. In the event he proved me wrong. I regret not bringing in Bullard or Dempsey as I was looking at both pre-deadline. Sometimes it’s better to take the four point hit for the rewards it can bring. Don’t even get me started on having Thomas Sorensen’s 14 points left on the bench…

Gameweek 13 Top Gun (aka Tom Cruise Approves):

When I was looking back over the top scores from last week, I had a moment of panic when I thought there was a three-way 18 point tie for 1^st and I’d have to find another Top Gun character to join Maverick and Goose.

Then I remembered that someone called Jermain Defoe scored five goals against Wigan. Yes, the pint-sized striker scored a full handful of goals and picked up three bonus points. It might just be me but it almost feels like 25 points isn’t enough reward for such a feat. I guess that’s what happens with just four points for a striker’s goal. I’m sure the people who had him as captain weren’t complaining – 50 points was only two off my whole total for the week. Anyway, it’s the highest score ever from one game, even Ronaldo never got that.

As mentioned previously, following Defoe you had Dempsey Hunt and Lennon all with 18 points. The former two took advantage of playing twice while Lennon was the provider of three Defoe goals as well as getting one for himself in that 9-1 victory. A mention too for Michael Essien who scored 16 via two goals and his third man of the match award of the season.

Maverick should really be using all five hand digits to approve of Defoe's performance.

Three Captain Choices:

1. Adebayor/Man City – Every run has to come to an end and I think Man City might finally stop their run of six consecutive draws and beat Hull at home. Hull have picked up since Bullard’s return with two wins and a draw but they’re still leaky at the back while Adebayor scored his first goal in two months against Liverpool. He tends to feast on weaker defences, get bonus points when City play well and thus is a good shout for captain this weekend.

2. Drogba/Chelsea – The best defence faces the best attack this weekend as Chelsea face Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday. Normally I wouldn’t suggest picking someone from this fixture but Drogba loves playing Arsenal and has terrorised them down the years. What scares me even more is that due to Gallas being doubtful, there’s a tiny, tiny chance we might see Big Phil Senderos make an appearance. I’m shuddering at the thought, Drogba owns him.

3. Rooney/Man Utd – Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Slightly trickier now that Pompey have Avram Grant newly installed but Rooney and Man Utd should still have more than enough to beat Portsmouth.

Gets a Captain's tick.

Three suggested transfers in:

1. Evra/Man Utd - The French left back has been putting together a good season and in his last few games has picked up and assist and three bonus points. Man Utd should be good for a clean sheet against Portsmouth and after that Man Utd face West Ham, Villa, Wolves and Fulham which should provide a few more opportunities.

2. Johnson or Dann/Birmingham - I’m sure many of you already Joe Hart in your team but why not add Roger Johnson or Scott Dann to your side too? The two centre backs were a newly formed partnership at the start of the season having both been signed from Championship clubs but have adapted to the Premier League well. Johnson is the pricier of the two and more likely to get bonus points but Dann is just £3.9m leaving you plenty of case for elsewhere.

3. Hunt/Hull - Some people’s form rating is skewed by one massive week whereas others are a bit more consistent. If Bullard is out of your price range then Stephen Hunt is a good option having scored five points or more in four of the last five gameweeks.

Might be worth a pick.

Three to avoid:

1. Everton players - They were woeful against Hull and have generally struggled this season. There have been bright spots like Baines and Saha but they have a tough three games (Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea) coming up and then no fixture in week 17. Avoid for now.

2. Gibbs/Arsenal – Just as soon as he was becoming a cheap option while Clichy was out, he breaks a metatarsal and is now out for three months.

3. Owen/Man Utd - Just 24 points so far. The goal against Man City is literally the single good thing he’s done this season. Diouf, N’Gog and Ghilas all have more points. Having said that, what better opponent than Portsmouth to prove me wrong.

Are you taking the mick?

T.

The sort of presumptious headline you dread seeing, but it proved to be correct.
A fantastic performance from City saw them beat eventual League Champions Portsmouth 3-1 with two goals from Don Revie and one from Ken Chisholm. Fifty nine years after their first game in the FA Cup City had finally reached the Final…

Avram Grant - Clinically dead.

Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storie today confirmed the totally non-shocking-news-that-nobody-saw-coming-a-mile-off that Portsmouth’s director of football Avram Grant will take over as manager from Paul Hart – effective immediately.

Cunning Storie told flabagasterd news hounds:-

“Yes it is true that Avram is the new gaffer – I know it’s hard to believe but we’ve been intending to make him manager ever since he joined us last month as “director of football” but y’know, we’d been waiting for his pesky work permit to clear and for the opportune moment to  put Paul out of his misery ….. Which was this Tuesday when he was doing his shoe laces up and looking forlorn. BAM! That’s all she wrote.”

Experience

The Pompey board are delighted to be able to bring in a manager with such a proven track record, having previously been director of football at Portsmouth in 2007 before joining Chelsea and eventually replacing Jose Mourinho as manager.

“He’s done it all,” explained Storie on the club’s official website as he dislodged the knife from between Paul Hart’s shoulder blades and muffled his last screams with a pillow, “he was one Terry howler away from winning the Champions League for God’s sake! Admittedly Frank Lampard has more skill in his big toe than Michael Brown and that the useless trollop Younnes Kabol isn’t fit to lick the mud from John Terry’s boots but I’m sure he’ll rescue us. If not we’ll arbitrarily sack him and promote some poor stodge to man the sinking ship – it’s our way.”

Grant will be in the dug out this Saturday for the visit of Manchester United.

Avram Grant will be introduced as the new man in charge of Portsmouth at a press conference today and a fair bet is that the first question will be: “Can you keep the club up?”

Grant was confirmed yesterday as the successor to Paul Hart, who was dismissed on Tuesday. As revealed in The Times, Grant will initially take charge under the title of director of football — which appears on the work permit that was finally granted yesterday — until a permit for him to work as manager is arranged. But the administrative difficulties are insignificant compared with the challenge on the field.

For a man who took Chelsea to within a penalty kick of winning the Champions League last year, Grant has many doubters. The suspicion will always exist that a nucleus of senior players, including John Terry, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard, were largely responsible for Chelsea reaching the final.

But there will be no better way of proving himself than saving Portsmouth from the drop, which would represent a feat of considerable managerial skill. The club are bottom of the Barclays Premier League with only seven points from a possible 39 after Sunday’s 1-0 defeat away to Stoke City, having sold almost all their best players since January and replaced them with journeymen on loans and free transfers.

To succeed, Grant, 54, will have to draw on all his tactical knowhow and motivational skill. And in the unlikely event that there are funds and that the Premier League’s transfer embargo — for failing to pay debts to other clubs — is lifted in January, he may need to equal the wheeling-and-dealing skills of Harry Redknapp, even with the advice of Pini Zahavi, the agent. But he is not short of contacts, or goodwill, within the game.

Fabio Capello was seen to embrace him at the Footballer of the Year dinner this year, while Sven-Göran Eriksson called him “a very good man” who “knows his football and has a lot of experience”. Redknapp marginalised Grant when the Israeli was technical director at Fratton Park in the 2006-07 season, but backed him this week to inherit Hart’s job. “He would be my choice to take it,” the Tottenham Hotspur manager said.

Reports of rousing half-time team-talks are few, but players who have worked with Grant usually praise his work on a one-to-one basis. “I love Avram, he’s a great guy,” David James, the England goalkeeper, said. “When I first joined the club he was very active in preparation for matches. He’s a very wise man and his football knowledge is immense.”

Terry defended Grant after Chelsea had won the Champions League semi-final against Liverpool in 2008. “To get to where we are and to still question the manager’s role at the club is unbelievable,” he said. “Things have been very good and results don’t lie.”

Not everyone was so sure. “I am shocked and surprised,” Paul Merson, the former Portsmouth and England midfield player, said of the appointment. “They had a great team spirit, even though they were bottom. This could go completely the other way and turn things upside down. I could see them getting out of trouble. Now I am not so sure.”

Portsmouth confirmed that Grant has also completed the Uefa Pro Licence — when he was promoted to Chelsea manager, there was embarrassment when it was discovered that he did not possess the credentials to coach in the Premier League. But their explanation for Grant’s appointment had a lukewarm ring that spoke more of expediency than inspiration.

“Avram is a very experienced and respected manager, who has managed at the highest level,” Peter Storrie, the chief executive, said. “The board believes he is the man to help steer the club out of the relegation zone.

“He knows the club, the players and the set-up at Fratton Park, so it was the logical move.”Grant won league titles with Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa in Israel as well as coaching the national side and became friendly with Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner, whose influence got him the job of Portsmouth technical director in 2006, then director of football at Chelsea.

He was put in charge of the first team after the departure of José Mourinho in September 2007.

While Hart confirmed yesterday that he has rejected the consolation post of technical director — Grant’s former title — Grant may wake up this morning wondering what he has let himself in for.

“I am not ‘the Special One,’ ” he told the media after succeeding Mourinho at Stamford Bridge. “I’m the normal one. But my wife says that I am special.”

If her husband succeeds at Fratton Park, Mrs Grant will be proved a very good judge indeed.

  MBT shoes  Mbt Sport    discount Mbt shoes  Mbt m walk   Mbt Lami

Avram Grant will be introduced as the new man in charge of Portsmouth at a press conference today and a fair bet is that the first question will be: “Can you keep the club up?”

Grant was confirmed yesterday as the successor to Paul Hart, who was dismissed on Tuesday. As revealed in The Times, Grant will initially take charge under the title of director of football — which appears on the work permit that was finally granted yesterday — until a permit for him to work as manager is arranged. But the administrative difficulties are insignificant compared with the challenge on the field.

For a man who took Chelsea to within a penalty kick of winning the Champions League last year, Grant has many doubters. The suspicion will always exist that a nucleus of senior players, including John Terry, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard, were largely responsible for Chelsea reaching the final.

But there will be no better way of proving himself than saving Portsmouth from the drop, which would represent a feat of considerable managerial skill. The club are bottom of the Barclays Premier League with only seven points from a possible 39 after Sunday’s 1-0 defeat away to Stoke City, having sold almost all their best players since January and replaced them with journeymen on loans and free transfers.

To succeed, Grant, 54, will have to draw on all his tactical knowhow and motivational skill. And in the unlikely event that there are funds and that the Premier League’s transfer embargo — for failing to pay debts to other clubs — is lifted in January, he may need to equal the wheeling-and-dealing skills of Harry Redknapp, even with the advice of Pini Zahavi, the agent. But he is not short of contacts, or goodwill, within the game.

Fabio Capello was seen to embrace him at the Footballer of the Year dinner this year, while Sven-Göran Eriksson called him “a very good man” who “knows his football and has a lot of experience”. Redknapp marginalised Grant when the Israeli was technical director at Fratton Park in the 2006-07 season, but backed him this week to inherit Hart’s job. “He would be my choice to take it,” the Tottenham Hotspur manager said.

Reports of rousing half-time team-talks are few, but players who have worked with Grant usually praise his work on a one-to-one basis. “I love Avram, he’s a great guy,” David James, the England goalkeeper, said. “When I first joined the club he was very active in preparation for matches. He’s a very wise man and his football knowledge is immense.”

Terry defended Grant after Chelsea had won the Champions League semi-final against Liverpool in 2008. “To get to where we are and to still question the manager’s role at the club is unbelievable,” he said. “Things have been very good and results don’t lie.”

Not everyone was so sure. “I am shocked and surprised,” Paul Merson, the former Portsmouth and England midfield player, said of the appointment. “They had a great team spirit, even though they were bottom. This could go completely the other way and turn things upside down. I could see them getting out of trouble. Now I am not so sure.”

Portsmouth confirmed that Grant has also completed the Uefa Pro Licence — when he was promoted to Chelsea manager, there was embarrassment when it was discovered that he did not possess the credentials to coach in the Premier League. But their explanation for Grant’s appointment had a lukewarm ring that spoke more of expediency than inspiration.

“Avram is a very experienced and respected manager, who has managed at the highest level,” Peter Storrie, the chief executive, said. “The board believes he is the man to help steer the club out of the relegation zone.

“He knows the club, the players and the set-up at Fratton Park, so it was the logical move.”Grant won league titles with Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa in Israel as well as coaching the national side and became friendly with Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner, whose influence got him the job of Portsmouth technical director in 2006, then director of football at Chelsea.

He was put in charge of the first team after the departure of José Mourinho in September 2007.

While Hart confirmed yesterday that he has rejected the consolation post of technical director — Grant’s former title — Grant may wake up this morning wondering what he has let himself in for.

“I am not ‘the Special One,’ ” he told the media after succeeding Mourinho at Stamford Bridge. “I’m the normal one. But my wife says that I am special.”

If her husband succeeds at Fratton Park, Mrs Grant will be proved a very good judge indeed.

MBT   Mbt Chapa  discount Mbt shoes   Mbt Lami    Mbt Sport

Portsmouth confirmou que Avram Grant, atual diretor de futebol do clube, é o novo técnico do time. O ex-treinador do Chelsea recebeu o visto de trabalho inglês e estará no comando da equipe já no jogo deste sábado, contra o Manchester United (que por coincidência, foi o último clube que enfrentou como técnico do Chelsea, na final da Liga dos Campeões de 2007/2008 em Moscou, onde ficou com vice-campeonato) no Fratton Park, casa do Pompey.

- Avram é muito experiente e respeitado e já trabalhou em clubes grandes. A diretoria acredita que ele é a pessoa capaz de evitar o rebaixamento da equipe. Ele conhece o clube, os jogadores e o ambiente de Fratton Park, por isso, o movimento correto era contratá-lo, uma vez que a demissão de Paul Hart foi definida. Ele já vai trabalhar nesta sexta-feira, durante o treinamento – explicou Peter Storrie, chefe-executivo do Portsmouth.

Grant ainda será, tecnicamente, diretor de futebol do Portsmouth neste sábado, quando o seu time entrar em campo para enfrentar o Manchester United, mas o departamento jurídico do clube já entrou com um pedido para que a Associação de Futebol da Inglaterra (FA) mude o seu registro na entidade. Ele assumiu o posto na diretoria em outubro deste ano. Mas em 2006 já havia desempenhado essa função.

Os técnicos podem até mudar, mais a crise no Portsmouth continua lá, firme e forte. Desde que foi campeão da Copa da Inglaterra na temporada 2007/08, tudo começou a dar errado no clube. Não apenas por azar, mas principalmente pela má administração e pelas decisões equivocadas. A demissão de Paul Hart na terça-feira me pareceu mais uma. O técnico é quem menos tem culpa pela colocação na tabela, ocupando a lanterna desde o início da temporada. Aliás, ele foi quem teve peito para assumir a grande bagunça que é o Portsmouth. Os resultados no início da temporada foram péssimos, e ainda são ruins, mas não tinha como cobrar nada muito melhor com o elenco que sobrou e os “remendos” que tentaram buscar em equipes da segunda divisão. O clube entrou na Premier League com um elenco vergonhoso, muito abaixo do nível do campeonato. E Paul Hart conseguiu fazer progresso, pelo menos jogando de igual para igual nas últimas rodadas. Luta não faltou em momento algum, e a torcida reconhece isso. Em primeiro lugar, porque Hart não fez questão de reclamar das inúmeras lambanças da direção, que, por exemplo, dispensou o seu principal auxiliar e deixou o técnico sem um “braço direito”.

Pior ainda é ver o bilionário Sulaiman Al-Fahim comprar o clube prometendo milhões em contratações e fazendo a torcida acreditar que a mudança de “time falido com péssimo elenco” para “rico com elenco competitivo” seria da noite para o dia e depois vender 90% das ações do clube para o saudita Ali Al-Faraj. Aliás fato curioso: o dono majoritário é saudita e o técnico israelense. A Arábia Saudita nem sequer reconhece Israel como um país. Além de não existir relação diplomática entre as nações, ainda há um boicote entre eles, como lembra Mike Norrish, do jornal inglês Telegraph. Em sua coluna diária, o jornalista brinca dizendo que o Portsmouth não vai ganhar absolutamente nada no futebol, mas, de repente, pode até conseguir um Prêmio Nobel da Paz por unir um representante de cada lado.

Len Shackleton included a chapter in his autobiography that was blank, save for the title “The Average Director’s Knowledge of Football“. Fifty-three years on from publication, this week has seen more evidence that little has changed.

During the summer months of 2009, Portsmouth Football Club was subjected to a protracted and comical takeover reminiscent of that which Spencer Trethewy inflicted upon Aldershot in 1990. The outcome has not yet been as devastating to the club but there were considerable fears reported in the media that the club would be unable to survive financially, evidenced by a failure to pay players wages recently.

Throughout the summer, Paul Hart sat and watched helplessly as the best players were sold for fees in excess of £35m without funds being made available for recruiting replacements. Sulaiman Al Fahim concluded his ill-fated purchase of the club late in August, photographed in his personalised replica away top, seemingly feted as a saviour for the club. The protracted nature of the negotiations, and the emergence of a rival consortia no doubt exacerbated the takeover, left Hart with little time to pull together a squad for the 2009-10 season.

The club’s start to the season was unsurprisingly poor given the circumstances. Seven straight defeats in the Premier League came to an abrupt and startling end with consecutive four goal victories. From seemingly being cut adrift at the bottom of the division, the gap to safety had been cut. That cut no ice with the owners of the club; Paul Hart was relieved of his managerial duties this week.

Having survived the crisis this summer, Portsmouth needed stability. If that had meant the club rebuilding with a season in The Championship, it should have been a price worth paying. Instead, an instant remedy is being sought although the club is rudderless in the interim between Hart’s departure and a new appointment. The players though remain the same; whether the January transfer window will be an effective saviour for the next manager remains to be seen.

Premier League survival is the only thing that matters when faced with relegation, particularly if players contracts take no account of any diminished status bestowed upon the club through failure. Yet would the club have been better served by retaining Hart, especially in light of improved form which even with recent defeats, was vastly better than the opening seven games.

That Portsmouth have reacted quickly may yet turn out to be a masterstroke if they pull clear of the relegation zone. Such is the closeness in points totals at this stage of the season that three wins can elevate their position one place in the table if everyone else continues to take points off each other. It appears that consecutive away defeats have brought about Hart’s dismissal. However, victories at Blackburn and Stoke seemed highly unlikely on paper, let alone on the pitch.

In such circumstances, new owners often seek to bring in a ‘name’ manager. Avram Grant may well be a likeable man but is he the man to save them? Perhaps and time will tell. Yet with the paucity of talent within the squad, January wheeling and dealing is going to be crucial to their season. The sacking leaves an uneasy taste in the mouth. Hart worked hard throughout the summer in circumstances that may have forced others to consider their options and leave the club. His loyalty was rewarded with unemployment.

Should sentiment have come into the equation? The business side of the game probably dictates that it should not. The ego of a new owner automatically means it will not. Yet this will be the same owner who at points in the future will berate want-away players for their lack of loyalty “to a club that has treated them well“. The days of owners wanting their cake and eating it have yet to change. Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.

Former Chelsea manager Avram Grant is confirmed as Portsmouth’s new manager…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: english football teams. The blog is also related to: english soccer.

Motorhead last night was absolutely epic. We were standing throughout the whole thing, and everyone else in the sitting area was sitting, so he said “Stand up you lazy cunts, it’s not fucking Shakespeare is it?, you two, yes, you two, you’ve been standing up for the whole thing, thank you!” So Lemmy spoke to us
The Damned opened for them, and ‘Captain Sensible’ (guitarist) was testing out the spotlight, and shone it on us, we waved and he stuck his two fingers up at us, haha.

When Motorhead played Overkill at the end, it was unbelievably good. They played it extended for about 8 minutes, strobe lights flashing, crazy lights. And the drum solo, WOW, Mikkey Dee is amazing. He soloed for about 5 minutes straight without stopping, he was AMAZING. His drum kit was huge too. I saw loads of guitars and basses behind the amps, but Lemmy only used his 1 bass, and Phil Campbell (guitarist) only used 3 guitars, a white Les Paul, a green Les Paul and a X shaped, I think it may have been a Kramer but I’m not entirely sure. Captain Sensible from the Damned seemed to be using an LTD (lower grade of ESP).

The Damned: “Having a good night?”
Audience: “YEAH”
The Damned: “Better than fucking Simon Cowell and xfactor isn’t it?”
Audience: “YEAH”
The Damned: “This song’s called ’smash it up’, and I hope Simon Cowel does take this advice”

Epic

Two of my favorite places on this planet are Portsmouth, NH (which I think you all know), and San Francisco, CA.  Both wonderful places to be for any reason – both of which share the ability to host beautiful sunsets.  I was lucky to snap both shots featured in today’s post, and as I was going through the archives…each reminded me of the other.  One taken along the shores of Prescott Park, the other taken from the Mark Hopkins hotel.

A very happy Thanksgiving to all!  I hope you get a chance to enjoy some good food and some quality time with those who are near and dear.

There is such a vast array of kitchen appliances that there seems to be something for every job in the kitchen. It can be a bewildering experience to try to sift through such a seemingly endless choice. However, with a little care and time spent on the task, you could have the perfect kitchen with just the right number and types of appliance.

height and colour. However, built in to a small under counter one. If you decide to have a look at the range they offer. Set a sensible budget and stick to it. Do some research and get reviews on each type of appliance so that if there are any major pluses or minuses, you are aware of them. Only buy appliances that there seems to be something for every job in the kitchen. It can be just as good as a cooker, fridge, freezer, toaster, kettle and dishwasher. You might then like to include such things as a microwave oven, food processor, toasted sandwich maker and a coffee maker.

Of course you will have your own ideas about what you need? Make a list of absolute essentials which will include such things as a microwave oven, food processor, toasted sandwich maker and a coffee maker. Of course you will have your own ideas about what you want in your kitchen cupboards. Cookers use either gas or electricity and your first choice will be which fuel yours will use. After that, cookers come in many sizes and it would be wise to consider whether they will be which fuel yours will use.

After that, cookers come in a vast range of sizes and it would be wise to consider your actual needs here before choosing.Smaller kitchen appliances which have a separate freezer, your choice is to have one of the larder types or a chest freezer and again there is a vital piece of kitchen appliances such as kettles and toasters come in a vast range of sizes and shapes and you have available and also to personal choice as to what you want in your kitchen and that is why making a list of absolute essentials which will include such things as a cooker, fridge, freezer, toaster, kettle and dishwasher.

You might then like to include such things as a cooker, fridge, freezer, toaster, kettle and dishwasher. You might then like to include such things as a microwave oven, food processor, toasted sandwich maker and a coffee maker. Of course you will have your own ideas about what you want in your kitchen and that is why making a list is a lot of choice regarding size. Dishwashers also come in many guises and in some cases, in several parts depending on the layout of your kitchen.

What you missed while the Boston Aquarium was teaching kids to operate on squid (it’s not quite jellyfish, but we’re gonna use that tag anyways)…

• Your Champions League results: Rubin Kazan 0 – 0 Dynamo Kiev, Debreceni 0 – 1 Liverpool, Fiorentina 1 – 0 Lyon, Barcelona 2 – 0 Inter Milan, Rangers 0 – 2 Stuttgart, AZ Alkmaar 0 – 0 Olympiakos, Arsenal 2 – 0 Standard Liege, Unirea Urziceni 1 – 0 Sevilla
• Paul Hart’s been sacked by Portsmouth for not being able to win very many games after the team sold all of his players to pay the electric bill; early candidates for replacement are Darren Ferguson and Avram Grant. Hart may still accept a job with Portsmouth as technical director.
• Kieran Gibbs suffered a “horror foul” against Standard Liege, fracturing his metatarsal and leaving him sidelined for up to three months.
• Everton manager David Moyes (along with, presumably, ever other Premier League manager) doesn’t think Phil Brown should be sacked.
• Congratulations to Gamba Osaka midfielder Endo on winning the Asian Player of the Year award.
• The Dutch national team would like Edwin van der Sar to consider playing for them in the 2010 World Cup.
• Ajax has signed on to help coach the Chinese Football Association’s youth program.
• After numerous ankle injuries, DC United midfielder Ben Olsen retired yesterday. His kid presumably did not wear a Beckham jersey to the press conference.
• Celtic winger Aiden McGeady says that he wouldn’t pay to watch Celtic play.
• Bayern Munich have suspended Luca Toni after making comments critical of Louis van Gaal. That’ll help ‘em win more games, right?
• The Chicago Fire have sacked manager Denis Hamlett for…getting them to the semifinals?

Fergusons Jr. and Sr. could soon be doing battle in the Premier League.

How do I know this? Because – and believe me when I tell you this – Man-flu is child’s play compared to what I have at the moment.

That which makes me suffer so badly and cares not one iota that I can barely focus on anything – you guessed it ladies and gentlemen, I’ve got the dreaded man-pneumonia.

It has now set up camp most probably for the entire winter, likely through to next summer, and in all reality, Buzz Lightyear may have hit the nail right on the proverbial head.

However, I am comforted by the fact that the world continues to revolve while I suffer so badly.

People are still working, television is thankfully still airing and football’s chairmen contine to change their managers more often that I change my underwear (I’ve got my opinions on changing managers, and am writing a piece on that very subject, but that is for another day).

Paul Hart has become the latest casualty – becoming the first top flight dismissal this season (and it’s almost December, strange – almost half a season without a single sacking!). After impressively helping turn Portsmouth around last season, he has taken them rock bottom this year and the board have decided it’s time for a change.

And the favourite for the job? Darren Ferguson – of THAT fame. Yes, you got it – THE Ferguson fame. The great one’s son. And, should he get the job, who could be his first opponent (assuming he takes the job in time)?

Yep. Pompey play host to Manchester United this weekend, in what could potentially be the first ever Father v Son managerial battle in Premier League history. Sure, Jamie Redknapp played against teams managed by dad Harry, but this would be the first time that both managers involved in a Premier League fixture would be so closely related.

How interesting would that be? Sir Alex, deep into the twilight years of his career, faces his son Darren in what is the latter’s managerial debut in the Premier League, and the younger generation can spring a surprise.

It would instantly give the Pompey fans belief in his abilities, and set the tone for what could potentially be a great career – I mean, he’s from the best managerial bloodline in the land isn’t he?

But don’t expect Ferguson Sr. to exactly offer any favours. He will know his son needs to learn the hard way, and United are struggling enough to keep up with Chelsea as it is without giving away needless points.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting Sir Alex would simply ALLOW his son to win anyway, but there would surely be a deep-set tinge of sentimentality about the match – one that both would need to overcome, and also embrace, if the true magic of this fixture is to be realised.

Personally though, my money is on Avram Grant taking the hotseat. He’s been back at Fratton Park for a couple of months now, and considering how well he did at Chelsea, the only reason I can see him NOT becoming the new manager is if he didn’t want the job – well, that or his “imminent” work permit (which he has been waiting for since last month apparentely) gets lost in the post.

Either way, the dizzying ride that is the managerial merry-go-round will continue to operate just like I’m sure my man-pneumonia will – to infinite and beyond.

Image courtesy of skysports.com

Since it’s nearly Thanksgiving and the fall is well underway, I thought I’d take a moment to remember a warmer time of year….the elusive New Hampshire summer.  Along with the warm weather comes beautiful gardens throughout the city – with the gardens at Prescott Park probably being the most visited of the City.

With a New England winter right around the corner, it’s good to remember how beautiful the summer is in this great place.

Portsmouth.

Silpnas “Portsmouth” žaidimas “Premier” lygoje priverte ekipos savininkus imtis drastiškų žingsnių – atleisti vyriausiąjį trenerį Paulą Hartą.

Portsmuto komanda pirmenybėse užima paskutinę vietą – per 13 rungtynių surinko vos 7 taškus.

Pagrindiniu kandidatu užima laisvą postą laikomas Avramas Grantas.

Tottenham’s staggering 9-1 win over Wigan at the weekend saw a number of records either broken or equalled. As well as being Spurs’ biggest top-flight win, Sunday’s one-sided clash at White Hart Lane also saw Harry Redknapp’s side become the second Barclays Premier League team to hit nine in one match. Jermain Defoe matched Andy Cole and Alan Shearer’s record of five individual goals in one Premier League fixture, while Wigan’s Paul Scharner got in on the act by claiming the ‘Thierry Henry slam-dunk of the week award’ as he claimed the Latics’ solitary goal.

Unsurprisingly, Defoe’s five-star performance helped him to earn the highest Actim Index score of the season, a sensational 87 points. The England striker’s mammoth score eclipsed that of Tottenham team-mate Robbie Keane, who held the previous highest total of 80 after scoring four against Burnley. Another Spurs star, Aaron Lennon, picked up 60 points this week to move back into the Team of the Season.

Despite the efforts of Wigan, Spurs do not have the highest number of players in the Team of the Week. That honour goes to London rivals Chelsea, who strolled to a 4-0 victory over struggling Wolves at Stamford Bridge. French winger Florent Malouda grabbed the Blues’ opening goal and picked up a healthy 39 points, while fellow goalscorers Michael Essien and Joe Cole also eclipsed the 30-point mark to book their place among the week’s top scorers.

Stoke’s televised victory over bottom club Portsmouth could politely be described as one for the purists. However, although entertainment was in short supply in a dire clash at the Britannia Stadium, the Potters can claim two of the week’s 20 highest scorers. Jamaica forward Ricardo Fuller grabbed the only goal of the game with 16 minutes remaining and earned 32 points, while Dean Whitehead claimed 26 points for his efforts in midfield. Stoke’s highest-scoring player remains highly-rated defender Ryan Shawcross. The giant 22-year-old, who captained the club for the first time at the weekend in the absence of the suspended Abdoulaye Faye, is in 44th position overall with 159 points.

Didier Drogba may not have featured for Chelsea this weekend due to injury, but the Ivory Coast striker has still moved to the top of the overall Actim standings after Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas endured a torrid time in his side’s clash with Sunderland. Fabregas led Drogba by two points ahead of the Gunners’ trip to the Stadium of Light and was expected to extend his lead at the Actim summit. However, the Spaniard went on to record a miserable score of -4 as Arsene Wenger’s side slumped to a 1-0 defeat, putting Drogba back on top. Arsenal forward Robin van Persie was another to miss the latest round of Premier League fixtures through injury and he has slipped from third to fifth in the overall standings as a result.

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has come in for significant praise in recent months, with many observers highlighting his importance to Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. And the 25-year-old Scot made another fine contribution as United eased to a 3-0 victory over Everton, opening the scoring with a sublime half-volley. Fletcher’s 29-point total sees him leap from 79th to 45th in the overall standings, making him United’s fourth highest-scoring player of the season.

Birmingham goalkeeper Joe Hart insists he still believes he can break into England’s squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. And the 22-year-old stopper, on loan at St Andrews from Manchester City, did his chances no harm with a fine performance in Birmingham’s 1-0 win over Fulham at the weekend. Hart picked up 21 points for his efforts – the highest score by a goalkeeper this week – and will hope to maintain his good form as the season progresses.

View the latest Actim Index >