Portsmouth Football Club News

Out-played, out-passed, out-fought. That was Tony Adams’ damning verdict after watching Pompey get dumped out of the FA Cup at the fourth round stage by Championship side Swansea City. The Blues created a host of great chances in the second half, but were constantly thwarted by Swans keeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos. By that stage, however, the damage had been done. Roberto Martinez’s slick passing side were two goals ahead at the interval. Nathan Dyer was allowed to race through on goal to net the first, while Jason Scotland converted the second from the spot after Nadir Belhadj was controversially penalised for a trip on Jordi Gomez. Adams will not be using the decision for the penalty as an excuse though - he believes that the best team won. “I think we were out-played, out-passed and out-fought,” said the Blues boss. “We didn’t get any luck, but we probably didn’t deserve it. “We kept on turning the ball over and it was a poor performance, although maybe we didn’t deserve to be two goals down because I’ve been told the penalty was just outside the box. “I’m not going to make excuses because we’ve rode our luck in the past in the cup. “Swansea played very well in the first half and deserved their lead. It was a very tall order to get back in the game from that. “I thought we had a go after the break and created some good chances. I think we had about seven clear cut chances and hit the post. “You have to be at the races and step up to the plate but we gave the ball away too much. That’s what this competition’s like – you don’t get second chances. “Swansea played some good football and will rightly take a lot of credit for their performance. I wish them luck for the next round. “I told the players before the game that we were up against a very good team who like to pass the ball and you’ve got to be up for it or you’ll be out of the cup. Maybe they caught us by surprise despite all that we told them. “Armand Traore and David Nugent have done really well recently but they both gave the ball away too much. “A loss is a loss and if you’re out, you’re out. It doesn’t matter if your holders. Third round, fourth round or semi-final – it’s always disappointing when you go out of the cup. “It would have been nice to stay in the competition but it happens and we have to move on.” Despite the defeat, Adams was able to take one positive from the match. He said: “I was delighted with Jermaine Pennant. His performance will probably be forgotten after the result but he supplied so many crosses. “He created a lot of chances for us, especially in the second half. He’ll be a great asset for us. “I was tempted to put him on the right in a 4-4-2 but David Nugent played so well for us last week.” With no cup competitions left to compete in, Pompey’s attention is now firmly on the Premier League. And Adams is hoping that victory against Aston Villa on Tuesday night can get the Blues’ season back on track. He said: “We have to put the defeat behind us and our focus now is getting as many points as possible. “Hermann (Hreidarsson) came on against Swansea because he’s got a fantastic attitude. I think he’ll get a game on Tuesday. “We have to show more fight but if we beat Villa then the world’s looking all rosy again. “But Richard Hughes has gone off with a hamstring injury and could be out for a few weeks, so we’re a bit short in midfield.”

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