Fans' flak is Hart-less
There seems to be a debate raging at the moment.
You're either pro-Paul Hart, happy to support his pragmatic approach to Premier League survival.
Or you anti-Hart, reeling away in disgust at his perceived negative and dour style of play.
Can I take this opportunity to appeal to the haters.
Stop and think. Please.
Think of Pompey as a Premier League club, arguably the greatest league in the world.
If you are filled with a warm, fuzzy feeling of pride then revel in it - and then explain why you are criticising the man who looks set to keep Pompey there.
38% in The News' recent web poll slammed Hart's defensive-minded tactics after the defeat to Champions League semi-finalists Arsenal.
Now I know Pompey lost (albeit creating chances). I know they've played some incredibly unexciting football since Hart took over. And I know the Newcastle game almost made me turn over to Ashes to Ashes it was that bad.
But Hart's getting the job done.
If you want pretty football at the moment but matches against Peterborough next season then fair enough. Look where 'total' football got Southampton.
Personally, right know, I'd settle for mind-numbing, sterile matches in the knowledge we're going to welcome Manchester United to Fratton Park next season.
Vitally, it goes further than just matters on the pitch. Relegation would impact massively on the future of the club.
With big debts, a chunky wage bill, no new ground in sight and an owner who's keen to sell, it doesn't take a genius to work out that without the Premier League money Pompey would be crippled.
Look at clubs of similar size to Pompey who have just exited the Championship. The spiral of decline has been brutal for Charlton, Norwich and Saints.
Then have a look just above those three you'll see more examples of clubs struggling out of the big league. Step forward Derby, Nottingham Forest, Coventry and Barnsley.
If relegated, it's very likely things would get worse for Pompey long before they got better.
Now whether Paul Hart is the man to take Pompey forward is another debate.
But right now the future of the club is at stake.
That's why Hart is happy to stick one up front, put workhorses in midfield and eke out the points Pompey need to stay up.
I'm with him all the way.
Labels: Paul Hart, Pompey, Southampton
5 Comments:
Exactly - it strikes me as mad the negative response given the way he has turned around our season.
I think most fans would applaud the discipline and organisation that Hart and Kidd have brought to the team, which has been crucial to our survival.
But I think it is disingenuous to say the choice is between the approach Hart has adopted and ‘total football’ leading to relegation.
It was only a few years ago we faced relegation to league 1 (Then Div 2). I think most of these fans who moan have forgotten that, or were too young to know what that felt like. Paul Hart and Brian kidd will take this club forward at a Pompey Pace, and not an Arsenal pace, so get behind him, and stop moaning, he has done what was asked this year, and next year with a clean sheet to start with instead of a sinking ship i am sure he will be a great manager.
Surely Pompey can not simply rely from promoting within.
Paul Hart's mangement record is not consistent with success.
It is important for Pompey to progress, to go through a proper recruitment process to look at prospective candidates.
If for some bizarre reason Hart is the best candidate, then I would say it speaks volumes for the aspirations of the people who run this club.
i think the result vs newcastle was fantastic, spot on with the tactics. even though it was a dire game to watch but when we go 2-0 down to arsenal at home surely we should try and put an attacking midfield on?? Nothing against Hughes, Davis or Mullins but they are battlers who dont have flair in midfield. Very good if we want to hold onto a lead or get a draw but otherwise more defensive then attacking. seems like hart was addiment not to bring on Basinas and cant understand why not when we are down 2-0??
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