Time to tie down Mr Pompey

If anyone needed proof of how sport bonds a community, they need look no further than the seventh News Sports Awards.

Last night, at Portsmouth Guildhall, the real heroes of the area's rich sporting tapestry were recognised.

It was fitting, therefore, that two of Pompey's most conscientious players were there to revel in other people's achievement.

Perhaps more than anybody at the club, David James and Linvoy Primus appreciate what goes on away from the football field.

And like everybody else, they cheered Paralympic gold medallist Dan Bentley, stood and applauded Fareham's late boxing coach Derek Hoile and were amazed when they heard how amputee Spike Westbrook plays for Manchester United and competes with his able-bodied peers in the Portsmouth Sunday League.

Those are just three heroes plucked from the evening (for the full pull-out see Friday's News).

James met scores of children and was genuinely 'buzzing' when, to his surprise, he picked up Best Sportsman to go with his Pompey Player of the Year award.

His, Primus and coach Guy Whittingham's presence was also a timely reminder footballers' jobs should not stop the minute they take their boots off.

Primus is the epitomy of this.

Upon receiving his Lifetime Achievement Award he said: 'I am in a blessed place. If I can change people's lives for the better by just turning up, meeting people and signing autographs, then I want to be a part of that.'

It's a nod to his Christian faith, but also reveals an awareness of the city's people many at his club could learn from.

The ordinary folk of Paulsgrove, North End, Fareham etc have embraced Primus because Primus has embraced them.

At the awards he admitted he never thought he'd venture outside the M25 such was his London roots. Now he calls Portsmouth his home.

His reception last night, just as when he lifted the FA Cup, once again revealed the love and warmth afforded to a true hero of the city.

His playing style has helped. A journeyman pro, he has been inspired by rejection to raise his game to such a level he regularly outperformed centre-back partner Sol Campbell.

The fans recognise the guts and desire that took.

When Mr Pompey (as James affectionately called him) does decide to hang up his boots - and it can't be far off - Pompey must keep him involved.

Community work, coaching, whatever suits him best.

To ignore Linvoy would be to ignore one of the best.

And that would be unforgivable.

Pompey manager hunt: the lowdown

In the previous Burton's Banter I suggested Tony Adams' heartfelt interview to The News had bought him more time with fans.

The former Gunners captain admitted the abuse he received after the defeat to Fulham had hurt. He was a wounded animal.

But while fans condemned their own and got behind their leader, the episode brought little sympathy from Pompey owner Sacha Gaydamak.

On Sunday night, The News broke the story of Adams' sacking. The timing was a surprise, the decision was not.

Now, of course, attention turns to his replacement.

The club have refused to speak (apart from approved in-house interviews) and insist they haven't much to say until a new man is appointed.

Let's hope a plan was put in place before they made the decision to axe Adams, because apart from Harry Redknapp the success rate of recent appointments has been dire.

The next one is the most important for decades. Either Pompey cement their place as a Premier League club and enjoy the riches this brings or they slip into the relative obscurity that is the Championship dogfight.

With that in mind here's my take on the management names which have been linked so far by media and the fans.

Sven-Goran Eriksson
Clearly now the preferred choice. However, the former manager has a big - and well-paid - job as Mexico boss to deal with. Has pledged his future to them Mexico but, in the same breath, said 'anything is possible'.
Wouldn't have the same budget that he did at Man City and would have to wheel and deal. Is that his forte?
One thing is for sure, he would command instant respect from the senior players as someone who has been there and done it with England, Lazio, Benfica and Sampdoria.
Is Brian Kidd's arrival - he worked with him at England - a sign of Sven's influence.
A good, but expensive, choice.

Avram Grant
No-one really knows what he did at Pompey as technical director. One suspects not a lot. Harry Redknapp tolerated him before Grant got his chance at Chelsea.
Took a team Jose Mourinho built to the Champions League final and came within a whisker of winning it. Mourinho has more charisma in his little toe than Grant, but the Israeli's achievement now compares favourably to his successor Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Is organised and clearly knows his football, but could he inspire Pompey? Senior players at Fratton Park, like me, have reservations. Not the answer.

Alan Curbishley
Compensation battle with West Ham would stop him being instantly available, which makes him slightly irrelevant in an immediate relegation battle.
Longer term he could be someone worth hanging on for. Proven record of establishing Premier League teams, albeit not beyond midtable, at Charlton and the Hammers.
Knows the market, could work within a tight budget and is someone who would communicate well with the fans. A solid choice.

Slaven Bilic
Represents an exciting option. An up-and-coming boss with international experience and with the personality to deal with Premier League prima-donnas.
Plays in a rock band and has a law degree, he definitely bring some colour to Fratton Park. Insists he will not leave Croatia until the end of the World Cup qualifying campaign so it would have to be some offer to tempt him. On the flip side he is relatively poorly paid as national team boss and a job in England would represent a huge pay rise.
Would be a gamble, but one that could spectacularly pay off.

Glen Hoddle
One word: Southampton. Good pedigree with England and Spurs but would not be welcome at Fratton Park.

Graeme Souness
One word: Southampton. Less impressive pedigree with Newcastle and Liverpool, and would not be welcome at Fratton Park.

Paul Hart
Pure stop-gap. As doomed spells in charge of Barnsley and Rushden proved, his main strength is working with youngsters. Good personality, though, and an ideal man to hold the fort while Pompey sort themselves out.

Roy Keane
Brian Kidd's appointment to assist Paul Hart has raised the prospect of Roy Keane at Fratton Park. The duo know each from their Manchester United days and Kidd was rumoured to be heading to the Stadium of Light as his number two at one point.
Oh... and there have been rumours of Keane being spotted at Fratton Park. Mind you, Sven has also been spotted, despite being in a different continent!

Time to wait and see...

Hurt Adams opens his heart

If one thing's certain after the stories of the past two days, it's that Tony Adams cares deeply about Pompey.

After his initial insistence he wouldn't give phone interviews, a beleaguered Adams - no doubt stung by recent criticism - returned The News' calls this week.

And from the conversations that ensued, two things were clear.

Firstly, that he thought Pompey's financial predicament - ie they have little spare cash - had been explained long ago.

It hadn't and Adams revealed he had been informed his budget had been cut a week before Christmas. There was more than a pang of envy when he said: 'The fact is I have not been given the financial support like Harry Redknapp.'

Secondly, the former Arsenal man is hurting, having endured a torrent of abuse from fans following the Fulham defeat. Adams tried his best to reason with Pompey supporters only to be shouted down and told in uncertain terms he was not welcome at Fratton Park.

He said: 'For me, it's unusual and that's why it hurt. It was only a couple of guys angry at me, but it didn't stop me feeling bad.'

There is no doubt the Pompey boss' tactical decisions have been dicey and his bemused press conferences only add to the impression of a man lost in the job.

But this gushing display of honesty - broke exclusively in The News - could prove a turning point, if not on the field then at least in how people view him as a human being.

Our messageboards have generally been more supportive of Adams since the story broke, with fans criticising their own for the vitriol thrown the manager's way.

Perhaps fans will now see him as someone to trust their club with rather than an undecipherable shield of optimism which he has presented so far.

He needs to be himself and let people know when he's upset or angry.

Say it how it is. Fans can relate to that and will give him time, which he so blatantly need.

Let's hope it's not too late for a man who's finally come out of his shell.