Grant's task is his defining test

Having been a critic of Avram Grant's arrival - in the previous blog and in The News Pompey Talk podcast - it's time to assess the Israeli's initial impact as full-time manager.

One thing's clear - he has his own ideas.

Placing Prince Boateng and Tommy Smith out wide in a 4-5-1-style formation against Burnley showed he understood the need for the team to have more width.

You can't argue with the sentiment, although the tactical switch failed.

The first-half display - as one of our chosen fans perfectly described - was a mess.

And it was only when Grant switched to 4-4-2 and, more crucially, brought the guile of Kanu on that Pompey began to get in behind the Clarets.

As many have pointed out, though, at least he was prepared to make the change.

It already seems his players will have to be more flexible with formations and tactics than they needed to be under Paul Hart.

That's fine - as long as Grant doesn't over complicate things. The first-half confusion on Saturday should serve as a warning that this is not the time or place to throw too many square pegs in round holes.

As for the man himself, Grant has exuded the calm befitting a man who took Chelsea to the Champions League final.

My major concern remains that at Stamford Bridge he steered a ship with an A-list crew, who were so well drilled under Jose Mourinho the team looked like it almost ran itself.

Grant fans will say that's grossly unfair - and they have a case.

But the Pompey ship has a crew of odd-job men and solid pros - stardust is in short supply.

It's up to Grant to make Pompey's whole greater than the sum of its parts and escape relegation.

It's a tough task but it's where he will earn his real managerial spurs.

Burton's Banter returns - and so does Grant

Managers always talk about waiting until 12 games before looking at the table.

Well, this blogger has waited until eight games in before locating his keyboard.

The events at Pompey have, as usual, been nothing short of sensational but we'll come to that later.

First I'd like to re-introduce you to this blog, which started up last season and will now pick up the reins again in the 2009/10 season.

My name is James Burton. I'm deputy sports editor at The News, Portsmouth, and this is a blog about Pompey.

Hopefully, it will add to our already-comprehensive interactive web coverage of the club, which as well as featuring all the latest stories, now boasts established webchats and podcasts.

As on our website, portsmouth.co.uk, feel free to leave your comments at the bottom and the best ones will be picked out and published in our daily newspaper.

Formalities over, let's crack on.

With Sulaiman Al Fahim elbowed out of control and Ali Al Faraj moving in as the main owner of the club, a 2pm press conference on Wednesday promised to be nothing more than confirmation of that takeover.

But there was an unexpected add-on - the return of Avram Grant, or as some harsher members of our sports desk call him, the Honey Monster.

Grant has been welcomed back with open arms by fans and David James - but I'm sceptical.

After all, what does Grant bring to the party? Is he a top coach like Brian Kidd? Can he attract the best players to Fratton Park? Does he bring tactical nous to the table?

I'm not convinced about any of these. He was underused during his last spell at Pompey.
And I'm not convinced Grant did anything to enhance his reputation at Chelsea, where he simply prolonged Jose Mourinho's footballing mantra for another year.

The worry is the Israeli will be moved into the hot seat if the axe falls on Paul Hart - a pretty uninspiring prospect in my book.

It's worth pointing out, too, that Hart can't be pleased with Grant's arrival. Just as he appears to be moulding a team in his image, winning the fans over in the process, he gets undermined by an appointment which does not appear to be his choice.

Of course, it may end up being a match made in heaven.

Let's hope everyone looks back on Grant's return as a positive moment in Pompey's history.

I fear it may be a rocky ride.

Positive news needed - and fast

So far this summer it's taken a lot to arouse this blog from its off-season slumber.

But the current furore over the Pompey takeover is too big an issue to ignore.

Glen Johnson's departure was in many ways inevitable and the majority of Pompey fans wished him well as he made his way to Merseyside.

The feeling was the Blues would soon be in new wealthy hands and the club would be putting into place their vision for the future.

July 24 is now the magical day when Sulaiman Al Fahim will apparently assume control.

He must be warned, though, the wait is crippling the club.

The lack of information over the finite financial aspects of the deal is perhaps understandable - until you get to the sale of the club's best players.

The exit of Glen Johnson, Peter Crouch, Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin would seriously wound any club.

So where's the money going? How will this affect the sale price? Do Pompey have enough time to get in adequate replacements? Is Al Fahim going to release enough funds to get in decent replacements?

All unanswered questions which have frustrated Pompey fans to the point of anger.

Add to this the fact Paul Hart looks increasingly likely to be handed the manager's job full time and you wonder how ambitious the club really are.

Hart's honest and respected but what sort of players can he attract to the club? Aaron Mokoena anyone? Not exactly box office.

The dreams of having some money in the kitty to attract top players and a big-name manager look in jeopardy.

Fans, and especially those with season tickets already paid for need some reassurance.

At the moment, the arrival of Aaron Mokoena to compliment a second-string outfit does not fill anyone with confidence and is certainly not value for money.

You have to move fast in the Premier League just to stand still and at the moment Pompey are moving backwards.

To this point it's been a troubling summer.

Someone from the club's hierarchy, new or old, needs to reassure the fans they are ready to step on the gas, bring in some quality footballers and cement their place in the top flight.

Maybe it's too early to mention the c word, but this kind of instability and inertia generally only means one thing - the Championship.

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.

Bring on the Toon

At least that's Man United out the way.

Let's be honest, it was a game in hand that meant little. The prospect of taking anything away from title-chasing United at this stage of the season were minimal.

Of course, you never know. But Paul Hart has quickly moulded a team rooted in realism and no-one expected miracles at Old Trafford. Not this year anyway.

That Pompey competed as strongly as they did is a credit to all concerned.

But everyone knows Monday's trip to Newcastle is the acid test.

The pressure will be on Pompey to get a result because it's a game which has so much riding on it.

A Blues win and the Toon will have one foot in the Championship while Pompey will be reaching for the cigars as they contemplate another season in the top flight.

Many view Monday's game as tough and there's no doubt Newcastle under the lights at home will be a totally different proposition to facing them at Fratton Park.

But there's two reasons why I think Pompey can triumph at St James'.

1. Alan Shearer's return as temporary manager has massively underwhelmed. By trying to keep his entrance low key in his first match, he totally missed the point of his comeback. If any club needed galvanising by a larger-than-life figure and whipping into a frenzy, it's Newcastle. Shearer ushered himself in relatively quietly with one eye on his spot on the Match of the Day sofa. Not an approach which will inspire.

2. Newcastle are terrible. I'd underestimated quite how bad they are - until I watched them lose to Spurs. If Pompey get half as much space as Tottenham's midfield did, then even Hayden Mullins will be spraying it around like a midfield maestro.
Newcastle are second from bottom for a very real reason: they aren't any good.

So let's approach this crucial game with bullish confidence.

They want be gung-ho by any means, that's not Hart's style.

But Pompey have the better team and a manager who's quietly proving himself.

If Shearer's the messiah, then Hart's God.

At this critical time of the season, I know which one I'd have.

Pompey's relegation scrap: the verdict

Let's not count our chickens, but it appears a no-thrills approach has done the trick at Pompey.

The secret to Paul Hart's success so far at Pompey seems to be that there is no secret.

The re-introduction of basic, no-nonsense defending has laid the platform for Pompey's upturn in form, culminating in the three points at home to Everton.

It's not over by a long shot, of course, and there will a few ups and downs along the way.

But the Blues look like a team up for the challenge of staying in the division and, importantly, believing they have the skill and organisation in place to do so.

Here I look at the bottom nine teams and assess their chances of avoiding the drop.

Bolton
A good run-in against many of the bottom sides coupled with a tough, uncompromising approach should see them survive. In Matt Taylor they have a player - as Pompey fans will know - capable of chipping in with goals. And in Kevin Davies they have a forward who, while not prolific, is well-versed at unsettling Premier League defences.
Verdict: Safe

Hull City
Goals have dried up and the charismatic but crocked Jimmy Bullard could prove to be a huge waste of money. They are finding it tougher the longer the season goes on as the demands of the top flight take its toll. A tricky run-in won't help and I can see panic setting in as they edge nearer the drop zone. Luckily for them, a sensational first half of the season should see them survive.
Verdict: Safe - but only just

Sunderland
Ricky Sbragia's honeymoon period is now over and it's clearly going to be a nerve-shredding finale for them. They are organised and gritty, and their clash against Hull on April 18 could be a defining moment. Kenwyne Jones and Djibril Cisse hold the key. This dynamic, but erratic, duo must chip with a few goals to keep the Championship at bay.
Verdict: Safe

Blackburn
Rovers have a hideous run-in with trips to Anfield, Eastlands and Stamford Bridge lying in wait. However, there are also winnable games in the final furlong for Sam Allardyce's men. Big Sam has already made them a tough unit to play against and with his nous, I can see the Wanderers scrambling enough points together to clamber to safety.
Verdict: Safe

West Brom
Many have admired Tony Mowbray for sticking to his principles, but this inflexibility has cost them. Pretty football aplenty, but the Albion have always lacked real quality in the final third. No goals has meant no wins, and that means one thing - relegation.
Verdict: Down - no question

Stoke City
Home form has been a revelation. Their style is not to everyone's taste - not that the Potters will give two hoots about that. The signing of James Beattie has proved as shrewd as Dave Kitson's was disastrous and the former Saint should rack up enough goals to see Stoke home. Keeping them up will be Tony Pulis' crowning moment as a manager - and that's what I expect to happen.
Verdict: Safe

Middlesbrough
The Premier Leaguye is not a good place to learn how to be a manager. Just ask Tony Adams and Paul Ince. Boro, though, have afforded Gareth Southgate the time he required. The trouble is, it hasn't worked. Big-money striker Afonso Alves has proved a huge flop and the reliance on youth has backfired. Capable of decent approach play but a lack of a goalscorer will mean goodbye to the Premier League.
Verdict: Down

Newcastle
If ever a club deserve to go down, it's the Magpies. Bad buys, bad appointments and general bad decisions mean the club is in disarray. The owner managed to get rid of the one shining light in Kevin Keegan and brought in one who, sadly, is sidelined by a heart op. Caretaker boss Chris Hughton is clearly not up to the task and the defence is leaking goals for fun. Amid all this chaos, knitting together an under-performing team looks a tough ask - especially when they've got Arsenal, Chelsea and Luverpool to come.
Verdict: Down - a 'big' club bites the dust

Pompey
The calibre, motivation and experince of the likes of David James, Sol Campbell and Peter Crouch is beginning to come to the fore. Given a framework by boss Hart, the team have responded well. Next up are Hull and it's vital the form is carried on. The mood is good, which is more than can be said for some of their rivals, and the Blues have the tools at their disaposal to move away from danger.
Verdict: Safe

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...