Pompey gamble with Adams

After Pompey insisted they would take their time in appointing a new manager, the club took just three days.

Their choice: Tony Adams.

First things first, I hope he proves to be a roaring success.

He was a big-match player of the highest calibre and has paid his dues as a coach.
He's earned his chance at Premier League management - now he finds out if he's any good at it.

For me, it's a gamble.

Looking at the bare facts, an unhappy stint in charge of Wycombe Wanderers and a spell coaching in Holland hardly add up to an impressive CV.

What does work in his favour, of course, is his work with Pompey.

His defensive nous has undoubtedly played a major part in the recent success on the south coast.

The fans like him - and wasted no time in supporting the dugout in the recent draw at home to Fulham.

He is, though - unlike Sam Allardyce and Alan Curbishley for example - unproven in the top tier of management.

Everyone I've spoke to outside Portsmouth thinks it's a great choice.

But their image of Adams is one of the tub-thumping England player who represented the Three Lions with great distinction.

He's a different man now.

His battle to beat alcoholism and the journey that took him on means he is a much calmer and studious figure.

He has a very different approach to life than the blood-and-thunder existence which characterised his playing days on and off the pitch.

These days he is also disarmingly honest - something which has got him into trouble with players when publicly criticising their performance in public.

He will have to become a little more savvy in that department.

You get the sense the players, quite rightly, respect Adams for what he has achieved and overcome.

Oddly enough, for a man who was a walking temple of inspiration on the field, I remain unconvinced he can be a force as the boss in a modern-day changing room.

Whatever people's opinion, though, he has his chance.

Let the new era begin.