Pompey's Crouch wants answers over future

June 14, 2009


Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch has called for the uncertainty surrounding the club to be cleared up before he commits his future to Fratton Park.

Property billionaire Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim is close to taking over at the south coast club with due diligence set to be completed next month.

But Portsmouth had to issue a statement denying former Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra is involved in the deal.

The position of Paul Hart, the caretaker manager of the second half of last season, is uncertain, while right-back Glen Johnson could be the latest big-name player to leave the club.

''There are 15 players out of contract at the end of the season - no one knows who the manager is, we don't even know who the owner is to be honest. So anyone who is at the club wants reassurances about what is going to happen in the summer,'' the England striker said in the News of the World.

''And I'll certainly be asking. I need to find out.''

Crouch added: ''I'm really disappointed to be honest. We had Harry Redknapp, Jermain Defoe and Lassana Diarra were there, we were in Europe and there were ambitions for the club really going forward. Instead it has taken a backward step.

''I've got to look at it in the summer. We need some players, without a doubt.

''That's plain for everyone to see. Everybody who is a Portsmouth player wants to find out what is going on. Hopefully, things can turn around with prospective new owners. We need to strengthen the side. But I've no idea about the new owners.''

Crouch admitted his hopes of playing for England at next year's World Cup depended on him having a successful domestic season.

He said: ''If I'm going to have a chance of playing for England, I need to be playing well. What I don't need is to be fighting relegation.''

老樸散班 BTW 英超點解唔俾他信玩？