“With Chelsea it was football, we wanted to (win) titles, we (reached the) Champions League Final which I will always remember, but here it’s more than football.

“It’s something I cannot describe in your language. It’s very touching… I don’t even (know) what to say because you see what’s around the club. (They) keep the atmosphere; (they) keep the spirit.

“It’s not easy, not just in football but in normal jobs also. I see the fans; I see the players and everybody that is trying to do their best for the team.

“I think it’s more than football…”

Avram Grant (13/02/2010)

Avram Grant first arrived at Portsmouth during the 2006/2007 season, acting as a ‘Technical Director’ overseeing Harry Redknapp’s side. Not much was thought of the former Israel manager. One player at the time joked, ‘He was only there to put out the cones’.

How times change…

Since returning to the club as first, a Director of football, and then manager, Grant has become Mr. Portsmouth. He understands the mentality that surrounds Portsmouth Football Club. He feels the same passion that the majority of fans do. And more importantly, he doesn’t see himself above the supporters.

If anything he bows to them, which is more than what can be said for previous managers.

He endured a difficult start as manager, his first game being at home to Manchester United, a match he would later lose 4-1. But as weeks went by fans would become more encouraged by the players’ performances. Results soon picked up with 2-0 wins against Burnley and Liverpool.

Grant was dealt with an immediate blow upon becoming manager, as the club were placed under a transfer embargo. The owners had continually failed to pay the players on time while Portsmouth still owed sufficient money to other Premier League teams.

Nevertheless, he carried on. He wouldn’t quit.

Things would get worse before they got better however.

On 23 December, a national newspaper reported that an unnamed Premier League manager had been confronted by its journalists outside an alleged brothel. The newspaper declined to name the manager, citing the risk of a privacy lawsuit. Rumours quickly spread however that the man in question was none other than Mr. Grant. The alleged brothel was only 3 miles away from Portsmouth’s temporary training ground.

It was yet another piece of unneeded drama associated with the club in what was already a hectic season. On 4 February 2010, after privacy laws were altered, the same newspaper reported that Grant was facing police questioning over the incident, with the police investigating the alleged Thai brothel in Horton Heath, Hampshire.

The national newspaper did their best to link the scandal to that of John Terry’s alleged affair, citing their link together at Chelsea. Despite this, the club continued to back Grant and rightly so in my opinion.

In a bizarre turn of events, the wife of the Israeli, Tzofit Grant, vowed to stand by her husband. She claimed that he only visited for a ‘massage’ to combat the stress he was suffering from.

Grant pictured with wife Tzofit

The TV personality said: “Considering the pressure that Avram is under at Portsmouth, I’m angry with him for not going every day to have a massage. Avram loves a massage.”

December 23 would produce more bad news for Grant. On the same day, HM Revenue and Customs filed a winding-up petition against Portsmouth at the High Court in London. The club were facing possible liquidation. The end was certainly looking near.

Grant could have easily left but he didn’t. He carried on fighting.

A full hearing was held on 10 February and the club was spared, given a stay-of-execution for a further seven days. Grant previously urged the High Court to look at the bigger picture when reconvening over the club’s unpaid tax bill.

He said: “It’s a business that belongs also to the fans so I think the court needs to think about all the picture, not part of the picture.”

This is why Grant is appreciated. He’s genuine.

His passion is undeniable. Grant was recently hit with an improper conduct charge by the Football Association. This charge came as a result of his outburst at referee Kevin Friend during Portsmouth’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland. Friend had denied two Pompey penalty appeals and nearly red-carded the wrong Pompey player.

Grant confronts Friend over penalty appeals

The 54-year-old stormed onto the pitch as the referee blew for half-time to confront the official. This man cares about the football. This man cares about the fans.

He said afterwards: “I can fight against everything but sometimes it is too much.”

The former Chelsea manager was poorly treated during the January transfer window. The club had made a number of promises and nearly all remained broken. The club’s hierarchy had conducted negotiations to sell key personnel, such as Younes Kaboul and Asmir Begovic, without his knowledge.

Once again, despite having more than enough reason to walk out, he stayed for the fans.

Grant said: “The football side is better than I thought but other things are not what I expected. The main issue is Portsmouth Football Club and the fans. I’m trying to think what is best for them.”

Despite players being sold above his head, he was given the chance to sign players on loan or on free transfers. On 26 January, the Premier League partially lifted the transfer embargo. With less than a week remaining of the transfer window, Grant was given little time to operate.

He was able to recapture Jamie O’Hara on loan however, while striker Quincy Owusu-Abeyie signed a six-month loan deal from Spartak Moscow. Defenders Ricardo Rocha and Dusko Tosic both signed six-month contracts outside of the transfer window.

At a recent press conference Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp revealed his thoughts of Portsmouth Football Club and not for the first time either.

He said: “I speak to Avram Grant about four times a day… If that was me, I wouldn’t be there now.”

That quote signifies why I hold Mr. Grant in higher regard than Mr. Redknapp. Grant is not a coward. He doesn’t shy away from duty. When times get hard, he fights on.

You don’t abandon ship Mr. Redknapp, which is exactly what you did not so long ago, despite Portsmouth supposedly being ‘your spiritual home’.

Grant feels he has a duty to help save this club. He has every reason to leave after a season of broken promises and utter turmoil.

He has not made this season about him – he has not got an egotistical streak about him. As he has said, the club is about the fans and not the manager. The important issue is the survival of the club.

Mr. Redknapp may have been the most successful Portsmouth manager of recent times, but by no means is he the most respected.

After Saturday’s 4-1 defeat of Southampton, Grant ventured out towards the Portsmouth fans and bowed before them.

Mr. Grant, I bow towards you. I only hope you stay on as manager for what little future we have left.

Grant applauds Portsmouth's travelling support at Southampton

I cannot put into words how good a feeling it was on Saturday to hear the referee’s final whistle. As a Portsmouth fan I have an endured a lot this season. Only on Wednesday did the club look as though they were going out of existence, and that threat still remains. Yet winning 4-1 at Southampton was as good a feeling I’ve ever felt being a Portsmouth supporter.

I was slightly nervous about the game. I had been fortunate enough to get a ticket without queueing up in the freezing cold weather. Southampton were the in-form side. It was an FA Cup tie, a competition made for upsets. Pompey had never won at St. Mary’s and the whole scenario was just not looking good.

Nevertheless I travelled to Southampton early Saturday morning full of hope that something special would happen that day. I wasn’t too be disappointed.

While walking through Southampton I experienced one of the most bizarre feelings I’ve ever felt, an involuntary hatred towards a large number of innocent people and in this scenario, they were the Southampton fans.

A football rivalry can do strange things to your normal style of thinking. All common-sense goes out of the window. You feel the need to establish yourself and show your superiority, and for some fans that’s off the pitch as well as on it.

When I arrived at the stadium the atmosphere was intense. You could cut the tension with a knife. Southampton fans were already in fine voice, gladly mocking Pompey and their financial state of affairs. Although I hate to admit it, Portsmouth fans were overshadowed.

However, despite their good atmosphere, seeing certain Saints fans swearing and spitting towards the away section was almost laughable. But nevermind, Portsmouth’s on-field display soon showed the difference in quality between the two teams.

Southampton started the better of the two sides, hustling and bustling the Portsmouth players, giving them little time on the ball.

Striker Papa Waigo had the first real opportunity of the game, connecting with a Ricky Lambert cross which David James did well to scramble away. It was poor defending by Portsmouth and Southampton really should have took the lead.

The away side were restrained from an attacking viewpoint – with little being created to trouble ‘keeper Kelvin Davis.

Then out of nowhere, like a bolt of lightning, midfielder Jamie O’Hara produced a dipping shot from outside the area, producing a stunning save from Davis which saw the ball tipped over the bar.

With half-an-hour of the game gone, James produced yet another ‘calamity-moment’ when he dropped Lambert’s corner onto Radhi Jaidi’s head. Fortunately for Portsmouth, defender Jaidi was taken by surprise and headed over.

Southampton were proving to be dangerous from set-pieces and came close once again before half-time through defender Wayne Thomas.

Through another Lambert corner Thomas was able to connect yet James was able to produce a well-timed save, which he knew little about, that blocked Thomas’ header.

Portsmouth should have needed little motivation. This past season has been one of the worst in the club’s 112-year history. As midfielder O’Hara would later say, the club needed to ‘give something back to the fans.’

As the match reached half-time however, Portsmouth looked unlikely to score and a Southampton goal looked inevitable.

Within the opening minutes of the second-half, Southampton midfielder Adam Lallana saw his header somehow pushed away by the reaching hands of David James.

This would prove to be a turning point for Portsmouth.

New life had been ignited into the Portsmouth side, with strikers Aruna Dindane and John Utaka going close to taking the lead for Pompey soon after.

Despite an improved second-half performance, Grant introduced striker Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, replacing defensive midfielder Angelos Basinas.

Abeyie would provide the width Portsmouth were desperately missing. Southampton fans mocked him as he came on, shouting, ‘Who?!’ unanimously. They would soon find out who he was.

The former Arsenal youth broke the deadlock after 66 minutes, after being given enough space inside the area to produce, what could be described as a ‘Henry-esque’ finish, curling the ball low and precise into Davis’ bottom-right-hand corner.

Portsmouth fans were in dreamland and the celebrations that followed were memorable to say the least. Substitute Frederic Piquionne, who was just about to come on, ran onto the pitch jumping with joy to celebrate with his fellow teammates.

However, celebrations were short-lived. Within minutes Pompey conceded a free-kick just outside their penalty area. Striker Lambert was able to head Dan Harding’s in-swinging free-kick without little challenge for his 24th goal of the season.

It was reminiscent of ‘typical Pompey’. Getting your hopes up only to be disappointed. From my own view, I withheld the pessimistic view of ‘Let’s hold on for a replay’.

Many would have considered the momentum to have now lied with Southampton, yet that wasn’t to be.

Portsmouth struck on the break after Abeyie played in Dindane, who gladly chipped the ball over the quickly-approaching Kelvin Davis.

The dream was back on.

As Southampton went all-out-attack in the hope of a second equaliser, Belhadj was sent through on goal after an exquisite volleyed ball from O’Hara. His pace and composure were too much for the home defence, as the Algerian celebrated his first ever FA Cup goal.

With eight minutes of the game remaining, Portsmouth looked to be likely winners. O’Hara all but confirmed this a few minutes after Belhadj’s third adding his own name to the scoresheet.

It was another counter-attack by Belhadj who delightfully chipped the ball to Abeyie who tapped the ball back to O’Hara to volley home a well-deserved goal.

4-1. The same scoreline as it had been the last time Portsmouth played Southampton, this time at home in the league, in the 2004/2005 season.

It was beautiful. That’s all I can say, really.

A number of Southampton fans walked out towards the end, but to leave some credit, the majority stayed and remained in good humour, singing, ‘Bring on the taxman’.

Fans won’t care about the financial troubles concerning the club for the next few days. They will rejoice and talk of the game for years to come.

The delight of the players and manager at the end of the game summed up what it had meant to them and if anything, it was reassuring. It provided hope that the players cared for Portsmouth and more importantly, they cared for the fans.

Manager Avram Grant came out on his own and bowed down towards the Pompey fans. This result mattered so much. I don’t think you can really put it in words. The footage of the event can only show its real meaning.

Grant is a man to be admired in football. He is not a coward, he is an intellectual. He’s a deep emotional thinker who understands how important the club is to the city, and the city is to the club.

After the game finished there were certain incidents that took place outside of the ground. Speaking from my own experience, a small number of Southampton fans threw rocks and hubcaps at Portsmouth fans as they made their way outside the stadium. One man suffered a deep head wound, with blood spilling from his crown.

Portsmouth restored a sense of pride by becoming victorious on Saturday. Yes, they were playing League One opposition but in the circumstances, winning 4-1 is just extraordinary.

I have a lot of respect for Grant and the players and it’s because of that I shall never forget the hard work they’ve put in this season. Despite what’s happened this season I don’t think anyone can blame the shift they’ve put in, their work ethic is an example to how all footballers should behave.

In what has been described as the ‘most defining week’ in the club’s history, Portsmouth could potentially go out of existence tomorrow afternoon.

Tonight’s home league fixture against Sunderland could be their last ever game, yet bizarrely, a host of tickets still remain.

Lawyers representing the club have been in talks with HM’s Revenue & Customs over the past couple of days, working over a deal which would see the court charge dropped.

Portsmouth’s latest owner Balram Chainrai is likely to pay a substantial part of the money owed, believed to be at least £1.8m, with the rest of the debt being restructured and paid across a longer period of time.

Chainrai, who took ownership of the club last Wednesday, originally wanted as little involvement with the club as possible, looking to sell at the earliest opportunity.

In an initial statement, Portsmouth announced last week that they were planning to apply to HMRC to adjourn tomorrow’s winding-up hearing to allow time for the club to find a fifth owner.

However, it now seems the Hong-Kong businessman wants to protect his interests after still being owed £17m from the club. Rather than see the club wind-up completely, Chainrai wants his money returned as soon as possible, leaving no time for an adjournment.

Fans will be reassured to know an agreement has been reached with all other creditors who have been named in the case, including a £7.5m VAT bill. If Portsmouth are able to reach a compromise, they will avoid becoming the first Premier League side to go into administration.

‘Two or three’ groups have approached the club, stating an interest in taking over, according to executive director Mark Jacob, who still remains at the club despite Ali Al Faraj’s departure. However, Jacob was quick to dampen the excitement by saying talks were only in ‘preliminary stages’.

A small number of elite businessmen have been linked in taking over the club, as well as Saudi Arabia ambassadors! HRH Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf, ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the UK and Ireland was said to have held talks with CEO Peter Storrie towards the end of last week. Although there is no estimated figure of wealth surrounding him, it is believed he has the finances capable of clearing Pompey’s debt overnight.

His Royal Highness does face stiff opposition from a group of Irish and American investors however, with former Manchester United shareholder John Magnier said to be included.

Fans can only hope the club is able to live on for another day.

Pompey hope to add to their defensive options today with the signing of Ricardo Rocha.

The centre-half, mostly recognised for his time at Tottenham, has been released by Belgian side Standard Liege, allowing him to sign for Portsmouth on a free transfer.

During his career, Rocha received a positive review from arguably one of the greatest footballers of our generation, Ronaldinho. While playing for Benfica in a 2006 Champions League Quarter-Final against Barcelona, Rocha was faced with the difficult task of marking the Brazilian. Nevertheless, by the end of the game Ronaldinho was forced to say, “My marker had an outstanding game and as a result I couldn’t do what I normally do.”

The former Portuguese international was signed by Tottenham for an undisclosed fee on a three-and-a-half-year deal, on January 23 2007. He would only go on to make 14 appearances for Spurs as injuries restricted much of his playing-time.

With the departure of defender Younes Kaboul, CEO Peter Storrie revealed the club were searching for a low-cost replacement. Sunderland defender Nyron Nosworthy was the club’s initial target yet a loan deal couldn’t be agreed.

Rocha is certainly not of the same quality of Kaboul, yet his experience could prove to be vital for Portsmouth’s current relegation battle.

The defender, now 31-years-old will be hoping to rely on the old idiom, ‘Form is temporary; class is permanent’.

POMPEY DELEGATION TO MEET PREMIER LEAGUE BOARD THIS WEEK

Following our press release dated Monday 1st February, detailing SOS Pompey plans to protest outside the Headquarters of the Premier League in response to their poor handling of the current issues surrounding our football club, we have been invited to send a delegation to meet with the Premier League Board later this week.

This is the first time a delegation of fans have been invited to Gloucester Place, and we believe a step forward in trying to bring attention to the football world, about what is happening to our great club.

With this in mind we are asking the fantastic supporters of our club to postpone action on Wednesday 3rd of February at Premier League Headquarters, pending the outcome of this meeting.

We have insisted that the Premier League Board uphold their invitation, and do not look to postpone or cancel this invitation as all delegates are working people, and will be giving up a days work to go to the meeting for the cause of the club.

We believe that this could be an important step towards finding out the truth about what is happening to our great club, however this is another part of the campaign, and we fully intend to continue with planed protests before the Sunderland game, our next home fixture. 

SOS Pompey thanks the supporters who were going to protest peacefully on Wednesday, and ask that you trust us to attend the meeting with the Premier League Board in the name of all Portsmouth Football Club supporters

Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has joined league rivals Stoke City in a cut-price £3.5m move.

Begovic, whom recently made his international debut for Bosnia, is regarded as one of the brightest goalkeeping talents in the Premier League.

The club were forced to sell the 22-year-old due to the club’s dreadful financial situation. Either Begovic or fellow ‘keeper David James had to be sold to keep the club alive.

However, with Sunderland being the only club to make an enquiry for James, Begovic had to make the sacrifice and leave.

Begovic had been linked with a number of clubs during the January transfer window, interesting the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham. Nevertheless, Begovic would only move if he could be guaranteed first-team football.

He joined Portsmouth on a youth contract in 2003, making his debut six-years later at the end of the 08/09 season, his bow coming in a 3-1 win over Sunderland.

Begovic has featured 14 times for Pompey this season proving that, despite his age, he has more than enough about him to cope in the Premier League.

Portsmouth fans are bitterly disappointed over the departure of the Bosnian. Nevertheless, they realise he has become a necessary sale, a sale promised by Storrie that would never take place…

James, who’s struggled much with injury this season, is rumoured to have suffered yet another injury this week, a calf strain which will see him out of action for the next two weeks.

His wage demands have also proved to be a problem for manager Tony Pulis, with £65,000 being too costly for those at the Britannia Stadium.

Manager Avram Grant would like to keep the 39-year-old at Fratton Park, citing his experience as vital for Portsmouth’s continuing relegation battle.

Geographically, staying at Pompey would suit James down to the ground, who currently commutes from Devon each day to train with Pompey. His son has also been accepted as a member of the Bournemouth FC Academy recently.

However, with James wanting to play games, Portsmouth just may not be able to afford to play him. A clause in his current contract stipulates that after a certain number of games, a contract extension is granted.

Portsmouth are looking to save as much money where possible – with players currently being sold in cut-price deals.

This is a crucial year for David James, who will be looking to show England manager Fabio Capello he has what it takes to remain England’s No. 1.

If he wishes to play that badly, he could refuse the automatic contract extension providing a win-win situation for all parties involved.

It’s almost sickening to watch the Premier League and the FA standby while the current owners appear to be liquidating the club and selling its remaining assets, one by one.

Suggesting the current owners are liquidating the club is a bold theory I admit. Evidence to this claim however is the knowledge that the club are denying the release of the club’s account books to potential investors. Thus, they are not looking to sell, despite what senior members of staff appear to be saying.

Yesterday saw a flurry of events that were enough to make me as frustrated as I’ve been since becoming a Portsmouth fan. I felt cheated, ashamed and more to the fact sickened at how my club has arrived in this situation.

The first episode of the day saw the club’s official website go ‘offline’, after reports emerged that the club had failed to pay the website maker, Juicy, on the last three occasions. I do know some inside knowledge of this event, however, it is not fit to publish, yet the knowledge is deeply worrying.

The club site did reappear later on that day, due to a miraculous transaction, to reveal the news of the latest ticket details for the FA Cup 5th round fixture against Southampton.

However, will Portsmouth have a team to play Southampton by Saturday 13 February?

Portsmouth face a winding-up order on February 10th. In these situations, cases are normally adjourned. However, the scale of which Portsmouth are in debt and owe money to, would suggest more serious and costly action will take place.

Recent rumours suggest that Portsmouth owe at least £250,000 to an electrical company, noted as Powergen, after failing to pay their bills once again. The workers who operate the advertising boards and the big-screen have also not received their wage, while the Marquee tent has supposedly been ‘re-possessed’.

The youth academy, if it can be called that anymore, has been deeply affected by the financial crisis. The team coaches have been re-possessed, with players asked to make their own way to training, via taxi or car-lift. It’s also been suggested they are not receiving adequate food in terms of lunches provided. I myself have recently heard that due to the unavailability of pitches for the youth team, a recent training session involved a run along Southsea beach.

This doesn’t sound like a Premier League club. It sounds like a non-league club.

The second episode of the day involved the outgoing transfers of Younes Kaboul and Asmir Begovic. The sale of Kaboul, while half-expected, was a cause for concern when media outlets quoted figures of £2m.

The club both players were set to go to? Tottenham Hotspur, or Portsmouth FC 08/09.

One certain media outlet started to report that both players were set to join Tottenham in a joint £5m deal. Daniel Azougy, the convicted fraudster, was placed in charge by Portsmouth owners to sell any and every player he could. CEO Peter Storrie and manager Avram Grant revealed that they knew nothing of the sales, later stating they felt cheated and were close to leaving.

However, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, in his usual ‘I’m a nice guy’ routine, suggested he had checked with Avram before making the move. He also stated he would be paying the full ‘market price’ for Younes Kaboul. This figure was later revealed as £8m, due to the issue that Pompey ironically still owed payments to Spurs from when they bought Kaboul first-time round.

The sale of Begovic has hit Portsmouth fans hard. He was the one bright spark in a dismal season. At such a young age, the Bosnian proved what a talented individual he was with a fine selection of displays this season, in the absence of ‘keeper David James.

In my view, he is going to be worth tens of millions in the future. Yet, Pompey being who they are, are set to get rid for little under £10m, or possibly £5m.

A current FIFA rule prevents Begovic from playing for Tottenham, if he were to join, due to the fact Begovic has played for Portsmouth and Ipswich this season, the ‘two clubs’ rule. Nevetheless, Tottenham plan to appeal and plead their case to FIFA, probably getting their way in the end.

Storrie then decided to play the ‘innocent character’, stating he was being left out of negotiations, when he had done ’so many great deals for the club’. Yes Peter, Mullins, Williamson and Utaka spring to mind instantly.

The question I ask however is if he’s not controlling the finances of the club anymore, if he’s not involved in transfers, what is he doing?!

He’s earning near £2m per year as CEO who is now doing effectively nothing?!

Asked last night if he would quit, he suggested he wouldn’t. Cheers Peter.

If he loves the club so much, he would take a pay-cut and do his best to remove the current regime from the club.

To add extra insult to injury, Portsmouth players were failed to be paid on time, again, yet a PFA representative stated that players wouldn’t walk out and would carry on playing for the club.

Well, at least there is some decency left at the club, further boosted by the return of Jamie O’Hara, who fulfils his promise to help Pompey stay up this season after re-signing on loan this afternoon.

Moving on, I am sickened by the Premier League and the FA. Their attitude is appalling. Their regulation is a joke. Their fit-and-proper-owner test system is an utter piece of tosh. They should be ashamed.

And I only wish the Premier League collapses in the near future – that’s how infuriated I am with the fact that they’ve allowed two jokes of an owner to ruin this club – they are a mockery.

However…let’s not get into a rant.

Let’s savour the memories we have of Portsmouth Football Club, because as things stand, it might not be around for much longer.

Abeyie, a forward at Spartak Moscow, signed a six-month loan deal with the South Coast side yesterday. However, Pompey have stated that the deal is not yet concluded.

The 23-year-old Dutchman is well known in England for his youth days at Premier League side Arsenal. Since signing for Spartak in 2006, Abeyie has enjoyed loan spells at Celta Vigo, Birmingham and Cardiff.

However, if manager Avram Grant is hoping for Abeyie to fire Portsmouth to safety, he may have to look elsewhere.

Statistics suggest he has scored less than 10 goals in more than 70 career appearances.

Abeyie becomes Grant’s first signing since taking over as manager.

Portsmouth had to rely on substitute striker Danny Webber to rescue a 1-1 draw with relegation rivals West Ham.

The home side may have earned a hard-fought point, yet at the same time, it will feel like two points lost. Last night was a perfect opportunity for the Blues to close the gap between them and Hull City, yet Avram Grant’s side have failed to take advantage.

The Hammers took the lead through a fortuitous Matthew Upson goal early in the second half, with Younes Kaboul’s headed clearance reaching as far as Upson’s chest.

By Portsmouth’s viewpoint, it was an unfortunate goal to concede, yet the truth is West Ham had a number of opportunities to take the lead in the first half, if it were not for the heroic goalkeeping of Asmir Begovic.

It was a bitterly cold evening, with fans doing their best in the early exchanges to keep warm.

Inexperienced striker Frank Nouble had the first opportunity of the game, being set-up in a one-on-one situation with Begovic, only for the Bosnian to produce a stunning point-blank save.

Begovic then regained enough composure to tip Alessandro Diamanti’s follow-up strike around the post, initiating chants from Portsmouth fans saying, ‘Portsmouth’s No.1′, as fellow goalkeeper David James looks set to leave the club this January.

Portsmouth hit back immediately through the most unlikely player. Midfielder Aaron Mokoena was given enough space in front of goal to produce a low drive destined for the corner of Robert Green’s net, until Green showed his agility to palm the ball away.

Nouble then got the better of defender Marc Wilson as he was allowed to produce powerful shot heading for Begovic’s corner, only for the ‘keeper to defy the odds once again and produce yet another stunning save.

He looked unbeatable and only capable of conceding in bizarre circumstances, which is exactly what happened near the start of the second-half.

On 52 minutes, Diamanti’s cross was challenged for by Kaboul, who could only watch on helplessly as his header ricocheted off the unsuspecting Matthew Upson, seeing the ball loop over the unknowing Asmir Begovic.

Wilson had the perfect opportunity to put Portsmouth level when he headed over from six-yards when really, it looked easier to score.

Pompey upped the pressure and then went close once again through Kevin Prince Boateng. John Utaka’s low cross wandered aimlessly along the six-yard area before falling to the former Tottenham midfielder. Whilst he had enough time to take a first touch, he struck immediately and thus felt the consequences, as his shot powered into Green’s side-netting.

Grant suffered a further blow when striker Frederic Piquionne went off injured, forcing the substitute appearance of Danny Webber, which would turn out to be masterstroke.

Within a couple of minutes, the former Manchester United trainee was able to spring West Ham’s offside trap and poke the ball through the legs of ‘keeper Robert Green. It was his first Premier League goal for the club, and it came at a crucial time.

Portsmouth struggled to create any more chances with what was left of the game, though Utaka strived through the West Ham defence to produce a stinging shot which Green did well to save.

I’ve never felt so dejected leaving a game before and now wonder how and when we’ll be able to pick up points in this league. While Grant remains ‘resolute’, fans remain concerned and unsure of the future that lies ahead.