Boss Redknapp happy to avoid Pompey FA Cup hangover
Wednesday, 09 Apr 2008 13:14
Harry Redknapp was relieved to return to league action with a win
Harry Redknapp has praised his
Portsmouth players for successfully avoiding an FA Cup hangover with a hard-earned 1-0 win over
West Ham United.
The south-coast club kept up their solid form in the Premier League after Nico Kranjcar's goal gave them the three points at Upton Park, just three days after they booked their place in the FA Cup final with a similarly narrow win over West Bromwich Albion at Wembley on Saturday.
And Redknapp, who was returning to his former club in east London, said his starting lineup, showing three changes from the cup game, was "fantastic" and "played some great stuff".
"We passed the ball well and showed a lot of character," he said afterwards.
"We made a couple of changes and the lads who came in did a great job. To come back after a cup semi-final and play like that shows a lot of character."
Striker David Nugent, who came on in place of Milan Baros at the weekend, was given a rare start by Redknapp with regular starter Jermain Defoe ruled out and the manager was impressed with the former Preston North End man throughout.
"David worked hard tonight and I thought he led the line well," the Pompey boss explained.
"He played up front on his own, covered every blade of grass and put their centre halves under pressure all night.
"So we're delighted with David's performance - he needed a run out and he did himself a lot of good."