"At the start of the season I would have said it was completely unrealistic. I really couldn't see anybody else but the usual teams being in the top four. It becomes a bit monotonous the same old names at the top. So it would be a good thing if it changed. It is going to be very tight (for fourth place) but we are in the mix and we've got a chance." – Harry Redknapp.

Redknapp’s comments came before Saturday's barely deserved win over Bolton at the Reebok stadium. While Pompey remain six points behind Everton who currently reside in fourth place, some excellent signings during the January transfer window, the return of an African star and a small amount of belief and ambition could see Fratton Park host the likes of Barcelona or Inter Milan next season.

Redknapp is often described as a “wheeler dealer,” a bit of a Del Boy or an Arthur Daley. During this past January window it was easy to see why. Lassana Diarra was an excellent signing. The French midfielder has already scored two goals in five games since joining Pompey and was highly influential in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea last weekend.

'Jermain Defoe and Milan Baros give Redknapp more options and both will need no time to get to grips with the English game'


Portsmouth also strengthened up front despite selling top-scorer Benjani. Jermain Defoe and Milan Baros give Redknapp more options and both will need no time to get to grips with the English game. Defoe in particular was well rested at Spurs and is eager to play every game. If he starts on a scoring run, regular goals from the diminutive striker could push Pompey into Europe.

With the Africa Cup of Nations all but finished, Portsmouth were able to field Kanu and Utaka and should welcome back Sulley Muntari in the coming days. If anything, the dynamic Ghanaian midfielder showed at the tournament what a great player he is. With a great work ethic and a lethal left-foot, Muntari should prove to be a crucial component in Pompey’s push up the table.

David James made what Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas claimed to be the “save of the season” in injury-time from Bolton’s Tamir Cohen. The former Arsenal and Celtic striker then described James “as valuable to Portsmouth as Cristiano Ronaldo is to Manchester United and Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor are to Arsenal. He was immense.”

James, who regained the England goalkeeper shirt in Fabio Capello’s first game in charge, is determined to be the England number one. This ambition is mirrored in some of Pompey’s other players, such as Diarra who is fighting for a place in the France Euro 2008 squad. This can only benefit Pompey’s push for the Champions League.

With twelve games left, Portsmouth have now played home and away against the so-called “big four,” Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool. And, whilst Pompey’s excellent away form is often praised (they have now won eight away games in the league) none of the “big four” left Fratton Park with maximum points.

Pompey are also still in the FA Cup facing a trip to Preston next weekend. If they can progress to the quarter-finals of the oldest cup competition in the world, belief will be at an all-time high and they could mount a challenge for the lucrative fourth position.

At the end of January there was paper talk suggesting Portsmouth owner Alexandre Gaydamak was looking to sell up. The Franco-Russian is thought to be willing to listen to offers of £60m. As a result, a late-surge into fourth position this season could have a dramatic impact on the short-term valuation of the south coast side and as a result the long-term future of Portsmouth Football Club.

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