Michael Eisner makes Portsmouth relegation declaration - 'Really are no excuses'

Portsmouth owner Michael Eisner has assured supporters the club will definitely remain in the Championship this season.

Alongside his son Eric, Eisner [11 November, 04:30] addressed the Blues fans in a 10-minute video message displayed at the Pompey Supporters' Trust Q&A at Fratton Park and stated the club will not be relegated.

The Pompey chief, 82, also acknowledged there are no excuses for the club's poor start to the season which leaves them 23rd in the Championship table in mid-November.

Eisner Sr. said: "We are not going to be relegated. Period. Andrew [Cullen], John [Mousinho] and Rich [Hughes] can take the slings and arrows from you all of a season which has not been what we've hoped for.

"There really are no excuses. There could have been when we played the first six or seven games against the top clubs, but then we met more of the opponents around where we are. We still couldn't pull it together, but our strategy is our strategy, and we will prevail.

"We'll be tweaking our strategy somewhat going into the transfer window, and Andrew, John and Rich can put that cherry on the cake."

Eisner affirms Portsmouth are not going anywhere

It is exciting for Portsmouth fans to hear a statement so affirmative from the owner, especially when he admits things have not always panned out this season so far.

If the American puts his money where his mouth is, January could be a huge turning point for Pompey to advance their squad and do enough to at least finish above three teams come the end of the campaign.

The club continue to work hard behind the scenes but have realised in the past three months how ruthless the Championship is, and what a step up it acts as from League One.

Regarding recruitment in particular, the Blues know they are now fishing in an entirely different pond, and they are no longer one of the dominant forces in the market.

January is a notoriously difficult month to vastly improve a squad and fellow competitors will be angling for the best improvements they can also make - the build-up to the winter window is intriguing.

In other Portsmouth news, Kusini Yengi talks about his start to the season having so far failed to score.

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