Pompey News

Pompey rivals want West Ham to put out a strong side

Pompey's relegation rivals are asking Alan Pardew not to give Portsmouth an unfair advantage in tomorrows game against West Ham.  Before the Hammers FA Cup victory on Wednesday this game looked on paper like a West Ham win or a lucky Pompey draw but with the replay on Monday night giving West Ham 3 games in 5 days leaves them with a choice play a full strength side against Pompey or save the best squad for their best chance of getting a European place.

Birmingham chairman Gold said: "Of course I will be aggrieved, I desperately need West Ham to carry on beating clubs that are in the relegation zone, after all they put out a very strong side against us and overran us 3-0.

"It is a bonus for Portsmouth because they could be the benefactors of the situation but it would be extremely naive of us to think there is much any of us can do about it.

"I would think that if we were in their position we would probably do the same. I think we have got to try to come to terms with reality rather than calling foul play. Of course I would be privately disappointed because if they were fighting relegation the Cup would be of no consequence to them and they would put out a strong side for the league and a weak one for the Cup."

West Brom's assistant boss Pearson added: "The West Ham situation is something we have got no control over. We have to look after our own performances.

"But I hope they put out as strong a side as they possibly can. Alan Pardew is a professional man and I am sure he will do the right thing."
Pompey manager Harry Redknapp shrugged off the controversy by claiming: "It has happened before - sometimes you get the breaks."

He added: "When West Brom stayed up last year, they drew at Manchester United late on when United were maybe not at full strength.

"And West Brom beat Portsmouth on the last day of the season, who I am sure were not too unhappy about losing there (helping send south coast rivals Southampton down). It is swings and roundabouts. There is nothing you can do."

Pardew said: "Having to play a Cup replay, a Premiership game and a sixth-round tie in the space of five days is, I feel, too demanding. We have a massive turnaround for the game against Portsmouth, let alone Monday when we will have one day to prepare.

"Both sides will have no preparation, both sides will be on automatic and both Stuart Pearce and I will be standing on the sidelines just hoping it goes for us."

All the signs are that Pompey will face a weakened side, but how weakened?  West Ham seem to have strikers to spare including former Pompey hero Teddy Sheringham, we will still have to be on our toes, while this is our best chance of away points for several games we cant afford to take this lightly, West Ham are still in a position to get a UFEA Cup place via the Premiership so arent want to give away point, and having visited the Boleyn Ground a few times when I had access to a corperate West Ham season ticket I know its a tough place to go, the fans are almost as passionate about their football as Pompey fans are.

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