Alan McLoughlin told Sky Sports News that Avram Grant must remain as manager for the fans.
FA Cup run offers Pompey small grounds for optimism
In the wake of Portsmouth's administration Alan McLoughlin says manager Avram Grant has "a duty" to the fans to see out the rest of the season.
Pompey are near certainties to drop out of the Premier League following their nine-point deduction, which leaves them a massive 17-points from safety.
After a tempestuous season which has seen a number of star players sold, McLoughlin told
Sky Sports News that he understands if Grant chooses to leave at the end of the season, but until then he must "stay and dig in for the fans".
"I'm pretty sure he'll stick it out; he would gain nothing by walking away now," said McLoughlin, who made 309 appearances for the club. "He and Paul Hart have been in a situation that has been pretty unique. He should see out the rest of the season. If he moved on in the summer I don't think anyone would blame him, but like the players he has a duty to this football club."
Difficult
Having suffered administration during his time at the club McLoughlin sympathises with the players but states that they cannot shirk their responsibilities and start feeling sorry for themselves.
"It's difficult for them at this particular point in time," he admits. "Prior to this particular scenario they would have hoped to have been better placed in the league but that hasn't happened. Performances have been okay but results have been poor so they found themselves cut adrift anyway.
"If I'm honest I didn't think they had enough about them to beat the drop this year, which has obviously been cemented now, but they've got to get on with it. They're professionals and are paid accordingly so they can't sit back on their laurels; they've got a paying public that come in to watch them and they've also got their personal pride as well.
"I was there many years ago when we into administration for the first time and we just got on with the job at hand, and they've got to do the same. You've got thousands of people coming to watch you, television cameras broadcasting your games; you can't sulk and put in a bad performance just because the situation isn't right. You must do your best for the football club no matter what the circumstances are."
Embarrassing
Although Pompey's move into administration was expected McLoughlin admits that it is still embarrassing for the club. However, now the decision has been made he hopes the club can get back on track next season.
"We were all expecting it and now we have to deal with it," he said. "Unfortunately there are people who are going to be left in a poor position, those who work at the club and the fans and you've got to feel for them. It's disappointing but it was probably something that had to happen rather than go into liquidation.
"To be honest it's a bit embarrassing for the club. To be in the Premier League and then end up in this financial state is a real shame. It's difficult but we'll carry on. There are fixtures to fulfil, we've got to get them out of the way and then start to think about next season and trying to put the club on a better footing. There are lots of questions that need to be answered by people with authority in the club and elsewhere so they can try and take this club forward."
Siege mentality
While Portsmouth are resigned to their fate in the Premier League McLoughlin believes that the club needs to create a siege mentality and highlights their FA Cup as a reason for optimism. They host Birmingham in the quarter-final on March 6.
"It's been a really tough season but they have to go out and show the fans that they are willing to roll their sleeves up," he said. "There has been no lack of effect from the players this season, that's never been in question, but there has been a lack of quality.
"Big mistakes have been made in the running of the club but the players can only do what they can need to do on the pitch. Hopefully they can inject a bit of faith back into the club. They're still in the FA Cup, if they beat Birmingham they're in the semi-finals and that's what they've got to aim for."
Portsmouth to reach FA Cup final 6/1
