A make-or-break summer for Pompey

Pompey wrapped up their home season with an overdue flourish on Monday night.

With the pressure off and fans calling for Paul Hart to ditch his 4-5-1 defensive stance, the Blues delivered by way of a 3-1 win.

The season is being dissected by everyone - not least the sports desk at The News.

And thoughts are inevitable turning to next season.

This is the most crucial summer in Pompey's recent history.

They limped to safety and, from the minute AC Milan's Filippo Inzaghi broke Fratton Park hearts with that last-minute equaliser, the season's been a major disappointment.

The club's financial situation is worrying and there are a number of players soon to be out of contract.

Big decisions must be made.

Of course, the biggest is at the very top. Will Sacha Gaydamak be able to rid himself of the club without losing too much money.

New owners will mean a new direction, a new approach. Executive chairman Peter Storrie says a deal will be in place by early July. Fine, but decisive leadership is required in the meantime.

Who, for example, will be manager. Paul Hart is favourite and, despite having to persuade wife Vicky before accepting any offer, one suspects the prospect of a proper crack at the Premier League would be too hard to resist.

Up until the Sunderland win, his methods had been a means to an end, but now the Blues are safe he deserves congratulations.

He will know next season more is required. Fans will expect a regular diet of more attacking, expansive football.

Hart is a decent fooball man who has the respect of the players, an authoritarian with a sharp eye for talent.

And he will represent the cheap option.

But if the club can't afford proven top-flight managerial stock like, say, Alan Curbishley or attract the best of the next generation like, say, Swansea's Roberto Martinez, then he will be the go-to man.

But that then prompts the question - which players will he be able to attract to the club?

Sol Campbell, Sean Davis, Armand Traore, Jermaine Pennant, Kanu could all have left the club. Glen Johnson and Sylvain Distin may have been sold.
He'll need to rebuild on meagre resources.

Is he the right man to do that?
One thing's sure: it would be a gamble - and not a very popular one.

Hart would have to win over disgruntled supporters.
After digging Pompey out of a hole, he may feel he's earned the chance.

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.