Grant can be Av a go hero

FERGUSON ... backing Avram Grant to save Portsmouth from relegation


ALEX FERGUSON has backed Avram Grant to steer Premier League basement boys Portsmouth away from relegation.
The Manchester United boss and his side travel to Fratton Park tomorrow looking to collect another three points as they bid to overhaul leaders Chelsea.

But despite Grant's appointment as Pompey boss this week, many critics believe the club's financial problems and loss of key players makes them certainties for relegation.

However, Ferguson insists Grant — who has been out of management since parting company with the Blues last year — is the man to save the south coast side from the drop.

Ferguson said: "Avram is a football man and there is no doubt he will be glad to get back into the game.

"He has a task on his hands because his team are bottom of the league. But hopefully he can manage it.

"Portsmouth have some very good players. I have looked at their videos and they may be in a false position.

"But being bottom of the league does create a reaction from owners and management of a club."

That reaction resulted in Paul Hart's dismissal on Tuesday with chief executive Peter Storrie admitting he had no option in getting rid of Hart.

Ferguson added: "It doesn't matter which club it is, when you have a change of ownership there will be a certain amount of disruption.

"You get new policies coming in, or there might be a new financial outlook. You can see how it can have an effect on the pitch.

"Owners of a club don't like to see their team at the bottom of the league. That is the danger position.

"If you are third or fourth bottom you think everything will be OK but when you see your team going bottom it creates a dread about where they are going to be next season."


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