Webber - Hart axe a shock

Striker admits it had been business as usual at training

By Peter O'Rourke   Last updated: 25th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Webber - Hart axe a shock

Webber: Shocked by Hart exit

The first I heard of it was when I saw it on Sky Sports News. Paul was at training today and everything was as normal as usual. I don't think any of the players saw this coming at all.

Danny Webber
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Portsmouth striker Danny Webber has revealed it was a 'massive shock' to learn that Paul Hart had been sacked as manager.

Hart was relieved of his duties on Tuesday evening after a disappointing start to the season which has left Pompey bottom of the Premier League after picking up just seven points from 13 games.

He had taken training in the morning and Webber, who was brought to Fratton Park by Hart on a free transfer in September, admits none of the players had been expecting his departure.

Webber praised the work of Hart during his time on the South Coast after he had also kept the club in the top flight last season.

Sad

"The news came as a massive shock," Webber told skysports.com.

"The first I heard of it was when I saw it on Sky Sports News.

"Paul was at training today and everything was as normal as usual. I don't think any of the players saw this coming at all.

"I am sad to hear Paul has gone as I myself and all the lads have been impressed with the work he was doing and how he conducted himself.

"I don't think anyone would have any bad words to say about him."

Former Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson has been installed as the early favourite for the vacancy, with ex-Charlton and West Ham boss Alan Curbishley also a contender.

Webber believes whoever takes over will inherit a good squad and have the full backing of the players as they look to climb clear of danger at the wrong end of the table.

He added: "I have no idea who the new manager will be, but they will inherit a good, hard-working squad that Paul has left them.

"Whoever the new manager will be it is guaranteed they will have 100 per cent backing from the squad as everyone is determined to climb up the table."

Comments (10)

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Jock Tattersall (Portsmouth fan) says...

Had to come - Hope Curbishley gets the post.

Posted 10:32 25th November 2009

Peter Yates says...

This is a shocking decision from the so called Board at Fratton Park. They have decimated the squad to pay off debts, and then mess around trying to find a buyer make the Club the laughing stock of football and then bring in players nobody else wants. We here about the new Stadium being built but all we ever see is the plans. Hart has done well with the means he has been given and has been unlucky in some games. The Board should have resigned instead of Hart as they are the ones who created this mess, that Pompey find themselves in not Paul Hart. If the Club think a new Manager will give them that new Edge then they are sadly lacking in knowledge, as you still have the same players and next Man United at home. Pompey like Leeds lived a dream and now comes the nightmare, of relegation and playing in the Championship, as they will see it. They are playing in a Ground fit for the third tier of football, but still get 17,000. The Club needs money, but has found the only two Arab business men without any. Mind you as a Saints fan the past few months have been extremely funny, as we have had to endure all the jokes from Portsmouth fans now we can sit back knowing that we have support are playing well winning games and building for the future. To paraphrase "The Future is Bleak, the Future is Blue, the Future is Championship football". Come on Pompey give us another belter of a laugh employ Avram Grant as Manager.

Posted 09:44 25th November 2009

Keith Tomlinson (Manchester United fan) says...

I think is a bad choice to sack him he is a quality manager. I think who ever takes over is still going to get the same results as the club needs quality. The players should be the ones getting the bashing as they haven't performed or even stepped up their game. Its a shame to see him loose his position as manager and avram grant haaa!! don't make me laugh might as well have roland rat in charge.

Posted 09:39 25th November 2009

Martin Davis (Portsmouth fan) says...

Another poor piece of decision making by the Pompey boardroom. Paul Hart had no money and no team. Just as the money has arrived that would have allowed him to strengthen the team (or at least we THINK the money has arrived) they go and sack him. Unbelievable. Gutted for Hart. He didn't deserve it. I understand results have been poor but I don't remember Paul Hart missing a penalty for us last week so I don't see why he should go and not the players. Good luck Hart.

Posted 09:28 25th November 2009

Ian Anstey (Queens Park Rangers fan) says...

Typical. The board at Portsmouth have absolutely no idea. Hart was doing the very best of a bad job. He took over when all the rats were leaving the sinking ship and was starting to build a team from scraps and bit part players. I predict whoever takes over will take them down, whilst re-building (again) because these aren't 'their' players. In fact as a neutral I hope they do go down!

Posted 09:24 25th November 2009

Daniel Reed (Manchester United fan) says...

I cant believe Portsmouth have sacked Paul Hart. Why dont teams take a leaf out of Man United and Arsenal by sticking through their manager through good times and bad times. How is any team suppose to get stability in the team if they keep sacking managers. Forget all the hard work the players have done that goes right out the window when the board or whoever keeps chopping and changing. Teams like this deserve to go down just on the basis of the chairman etc sacking good managers.

Posted 08:26 25th November 2009

Skillfull Jdizzle (West Ham United fan) says...

Portsmouth looked quite good in the matches they played and created a lot of chances and at times played some very good stuff but football is a results business and they were not getting them but i do believe if they had kept him they would of come good in the end.

Posted 07:21 25th November 2009

Andy Fleming (Portsmouth fan) says...

Thanks to Hart for last season, but you cannot win games without making aggressive moves. Why didn't he put on an extra attacker against Stoke and try for the win? Big Sam did it to us at 1-0 down and beat us 3-1. Hart is clearly a man manager, but no tactition...

Posted 23:58 24th November 2009

Tony Malloy says...

Only to be expected, there was only one ex Barnsley manager worst than Paul Hart & that was Nigel Spackman. He has made a good living out of being mediocre.

Posted 20:28 24th November 2009

Billy Weir says...

It's sad that Paul Hart has lost his job, but a manager is judged on his results. I wonder what the outcome of the game on Sunday would have been if the penalty had been scored. I feel that the referee on Sunday was more interested on being the centre of attention, rather in getting on with the penalty being taken, Mr Friend was cetainly not Portsmouths friend, he was the same at Southampton last weekend. Having been invlved in senior football in Scotland for 10 years, I know how quickly a referee can get play restarted. Portsmouth have had more than their fair share of bad decisions this season.

Posted 20:06 24th November 2009
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