Steve Finnan has admitted the Portsmouth players are worried by the club's financial plight. Pompey had hoped that outstanding player salaries would be paid by Thursday, but the money will now be cleared after the weekend. Avram Grant's side head into 2010 rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, following the 4-1 home defeat by Arsenal on Wednesday night, and beset by off-the-pitch worries.
Pompey issued a statement this week to deny the club had been formally served with a winding-up petition by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs. A High Court date has been set for early next year, but Portsmouth - who continue to operate under a transfer embargo imposed by the Premier League over unpaid transfer debts - expect to have the matter resolved before then and the threat of possible administration lifted.
"The players talk about what is going on, about getting paid, but as players we have to get on with our job for the club and hopefully things can resolve themselves, but I think no one really seems to know what is going on," said Finnan. "It worries us, it is not nice for the fans, they have been supporting the club for a long time, it is not fair on them." Meanwhile, reports in England suggest that the future ownership of West Ham United could be decided by next week.
The Intermarket Group are likely to make a bid on for the club on Monday, although owners CB Holdings say they are in no rush to sell. Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is willing to sell unsettled striker Roman Pavlyuchenko if the club receive a suitable offer for the Russian. "If he wants to leave and somebody wants to come in and pay the money for him that he's worth we would have to look at it," he said.
akunawicz@thenational.ae
