Tony Adams former teammate at Arsenal, Ray Parlour, says that Portsmouth had to act although he feels for his old mate.

In his blog on setanta.com, Parlour said, "I think the club had to act, it was a situation where they've got 14 games left.

"If they had to sack him they had to sack him now. It's no good sacking him in six games' time.

"Someone can come in now and have 14 games left. There's a big list of managers who would like the job. It's not a great job but if you can keep them up it's easier.

"There's no money at the club, they've lost their best players in Jermain Defoe and Lassana Diarra, and Tony Adams hasn't really replaced them.

"He's brought in players like Hayden Mullins, who's a good player but is he good enough for The Premier League?"