Portsmouth fans want fresh start

Portsmouth fans have called for a clear-out at the top after the crisis-torn club was handed a stay of execution.

The High Court today granted an adjournment as Pompey battled a winding-up order over unpaid tax, although Bob Beech, of SOS Pompey, was far from optimistic in the wake of the decision.

Asked if he had confidence latest owner Balram Chainrai could turn a desperate situation around, he told Sky Sports News: "I have got no confidence in anybody now that's involved in Portsmouth Football Club.

"To be honest with you, my personal point of view would be for everybody to go and let's start again with somebody who has actually got the interests of Portsmouth Football Club at heart."

Pompey were granted extra time to settle their tax debt as the club's lawyers argued they have two serious offers to buy the club on the table.

However, having earlier seen Cardiff and Southend granted 28 days to resolve their own difficulties, they were given just a week, although logistics may mean they will not return to the High Court until after that deadline.

Beech said: "Are we just going to be stood here again in seven days' time, or does that mean there is somebody waiting in the wings to be the saviour - again?"

In the meantime, the club, who drew 1-1 with Sunderland in the Barclays Premier League last night, will concentrate their on-field activities on Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round clash with derby rivals Southampton at St Mary's.

Asked if he could take some comfort from today's developments, Beech said: "You have got to always hope - where there's life, there's hope, so let's hope in these next seven days, we can get sorted out, we can all start smiling again and look forward to who we have got in the quarter-final of the FA Cup."