Hreidarsson - Survival possible

Hermann Hreidarsson says it is still possible that Portsmouth can defy seemingly insurmountable odds and survive this season.

Pompey were already bottom of the Premier League but their nine-point deduction on Wednesday now leaves them 17 points adrift at the foot of the table.

With only a maximum of 27 points left to play for, it would seem that the financially-troubled club are doomed, but Hreidarsson has not resigned himself to the drop yet.

The Iceland international, who said that the nine-point penalty came as no surprise, insists his side will be fully motivated for their remaining fixtures.

"It was sort of expected, there was a glimmer of hope of trying to avoid it but it's not been the case," he told Sky Sports News.

Focus

"It's going to make the job very difficult now but we'll just have to stay focused and try and do our job in every game and see what happens."

Hreidarsson says that squad's morale has not been affected by the penalty, and says they are all focused on beating fellow strugglers Hull on Saturday.

He said: "It's (the points deduction) been on the cards so it wasn't a surprise at all, it's been coming so there wasn't a great deal made out of it.

"It doesn't really matter for us now - we're going to have a right go, whoever we play, we need to win all the remaining games so we'll have a good go on Saturday that's for sure."

On Pompey's survival chances, he added: "We're realistic people and it's a massive task but it's possible, yes."