English Soccer: New manager Grant plans to save Pompey from the drop

English Soccer New mana

By JEREMY LAST
Avraham Grant believes he can save Portsmouth from relegation despite seeing his team lose in both the Premier League and Carling Cup since being appointed club manager last week. Pompey's latest defeat came at the hands of Aston Villa in the cup on Tuesday night, a result Grant blamed on a lack of real focus. "Our concentration was a problem. We conceded from a set-piece, from a throw, from a counter-attack and the fourth was a minute after we scored," he said of Villa's 4-2 win. "It's something that I need to think about more. "The spirit was good but the organisation was not so good." Portsmouth also let in four goals in the league on Saturday when it was steamrollered by a Wayne Rooney-inspired Manchester United. The club from the south of England is rooted at the bottom of the standings, a situation Grant intends to change starting with Saturday's home game against Burnley. Portsmouth has accumulated only seven points from its first 14 league games. "We are bottom of the table and we don't want to stay there. I will do everything in my power to help this team stay in the Premier League where they deserve to be," Grant said. "They deserve it because the supporters are great - the best in the country. They support the team even when they are not doing well. The challenge is big and people think our chances are low but I think it's possible. I really believe that we can do it even though it will be difficult."