Grant believes Pompey unfairly hampered
Monday, 1 February 2010 09:00Avram Grant has accused the Premier League of not giving Portsmouth a fair chance to avoid the drop.
Although the transfer embargo that was placed on Pompey last month has now been lifted, it only extends to loan players.
It has handicapped the cash-strapped south-coast outfit - although, given their much-publicised financial woes, it is difficult to see how they would have found the money to make any purchases.
Nevertheless, while most Pompey fans are worried about who might be leaving Fratton Park before 5pm tomorrow - goalkeeping duo David James and Asmir Begovic remain most likely - Grant is desperately searching for reinforcements.
The need is more acute given skipper Hermann Hreidarsson is likely to be out for a fortnight with an Achilles injury.
But, while Grant has vowed to do his best, he does not feel the situation Portsmouth are in is the correct one.
'The Premier League made a big mistake,' he told BBC TV's Match of the Day. 'They needed to give us an equal chance.
'We are trying to bring people in but the embargo was only lifted a few days ago and it was only for loan players.
'But, no matter what the reasons are, whether they are right or wrong, we will try to do our best.'
Grant admits he cannot guarantee there will be no more departures after discovering Younes Kaboul had been sold to Tottenham behind his back.
'I cannot clarify anything because it is changing every hour,' he said after the 2-0 defeat at Manchester City.
'I don't think we will lose any more players but I didn't think players would leave before and we lost one of our best, so I cannot guarantee it.'
Wages are due to be paid today - a day late - out of the £6 million they are said to be receiving from Kaboul.
But the threat of administration hangs over the club and Grant knows anything is possible in the battle to survive.
For now at least, though, he is determined to deflect attention away from himself.
'It is not good we lost players,' he said. 'I am not happy with it. I don't like it. But what can I do? This is the situation.
'I am not the issue. The issue is the club and this city. As long as I am here I will do everything that I can.
'I came here to build something. I am still trying to do it. We can either give up or fight. And I am not giving up.'
