Grant - I'd had enough

Grant: Soldiering on

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Portsmouth manager Avram Grant admitted his dismissal against Sunderland was a product of him 'having enough' of the club's difficulties.

Grant was sent to the stands at half-time on Tuesday evening with his side trailing the Black Cats 1-0 after Darren Bent had scored from the penalty spot following Ricardo Rocha's dismissal.

Pompey, though, salvaged a point via Aruna Dindane deep in stoppage time after Sunderland had both Lee Cattermole and David Meyler sent off to swing the game back in the home side's favour.

The South Coast club have endured a tough season to date, on and off the field, and on Wednesday they await the outcome from the High Court regarding a winding-up order from HMRC.

Adjournment

Indeed, it is suggested Portsmouth are set to ask the High Court for an adjournment - said to be a period of 28 days similar to Notts County's recent scenario - in hearing their appeal against a winding-up petition after talks with HMRC broke down

Speaking after the 1-1 draw with Sunderland, Grant intimated he felt the club are struggling to cope with fighting on so many fronts including the officiating, after he confronted referee Kevin Friend at half-time.

He said: "We are fighting not just against the opponent, but many situations - even the referees.

"Today there were two clear penalties for us. I must say, I'd had enough. I can only fight against so many things. Sometimes it is too much.

"Referees are honest but they go with the atmosphere and they also read the papers, so it is easy to do it.

Survival

"I must say I like this referee and the referees in England. But not in the last 10 days."

He continued: "The players and the fans were great today.

"It is not easy. Imagine you have problems in your work. Could you go to your work with a clear head?

"I want to say something even for the courts tomorrow - football is not one plus one is two, it is a passionate game.

"It is not a clear business where there is no feelings - there is feelings of fans, players and my own. There are problems but football is more than this."

Grant added: "This club needs to stay alive. That is more important than football. It is 112 years old. It is a traditional English club and in these circumstances I am doing everything to keep this club alive, but I cannot do it alone.

"I don't know about the financial situation but we are trying to fight and keep it.

"This club needs to stay alive. This is a traditional English club."