Portsmouth Football Club News

Alexandre Gaydamak has promised to give Tony Adams the tools to deliver success. Pompey’s owner set his sights on a top-10 finish in the Premier League this season – with strong runs in Europe and the FA Cup. Gaydamak believes that, under Adams, Pompey are poised to build on the legacy left by Harry Redknapp. He thanked Redknapp for the outstanding job he did as Blues manager - and understood his reasons for wanting to join such a big club as Tottenham. Gaydamak said: “I’ll back Tony 100 percent – otherwise why would I make him the manager? He’s fully backed by myself and the board and he’s aware of that. “I never interfered with football matters when Harry Redknapp was manager and I will not interfere with football matters now that Tony Adams is manager. “My job is to give him the tools to deliver. Whatever he decides, it’s his call. “We’re in the Premier League, which is the best league in the world but now we also get the chance to play AC Milan in Europe – it’s fantastic. “We’ve got a great team. Look at our strikers, while there’s the likes of Diarra in midfield, Campbell and Johnson at the back and James in goal. “But it’s about growth. We want to finish in the top 10 again and go as far as we can in the Europe. The FA Cup is a lottery but hopefully we can win the lottery again. “I’m extremely grateful for what Harry has done. I think it’s normal that when an opportunity to manage a huge club like Tottenham comes along, a manager of his calibre should take it. “I’m happy for him and wish him all the best. “He leaves us a strong legacy, and we have to take up the challenge. “Tony Adams has been here for more than two years, so the team that is playing today is part of his team as well. He selected it with Harry Redknapp. So we have continuity and stability, which is what we’re about. “We have to continue what we are doing. Then we will be okay. Look how much the team has improved in the last 36 months. I think we are on the right track. “I’ve been here nearly three years and the results speak for themselves. It’s fantastic – every day there is something to learn.” Meanwhile, Gaydamak revealed the club’s plans for a new stadium and training ground remained on course. He said: “We have all the designs for the training ground and everything is ready. The stadium is also on track. There are problems because of the credit crunch – that’s a reality. But we’ll go through it. “We’re basing our growth on what the stadium will allow us to do. My appeal to everyone in the city, to the fans and to the council is: ‘Let’s do it all together because we will all benefit from it’. We need to submit the application and it needs to be approved by everyone. Hopefully they will stand with us. Ever since Gaydamak arrived at Fratton Park there have been constant rumours about his future. “That’s been going on since I came here,” he sighed, “but I don’t get involved in it. Actions speak louder than words. “When I came here the club was about to get relegated. But we stayed in the Premier League, have finished in the top 10 for two years in a row and won the FA Cup. Let people say what they want – I don’t care.” - Alexandre Gaydamak was speaking to Chris Wise and Mark Mudie from Portsmouth's 107.4 The Quay.

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