Portsmouth must beat history to beat drop

Portsmouth are fighting history in their battle to beat the drop.

Having been bottom at Christmas, Pompey are also up against history. Only West Bromwich Albion have survived from such a position in Premier League times.

"To fight a statistic can bring satisfaction," said Grant. "Some people say things are not so good but I look at things differently. It’s not going to be easy to stay in the league but it’s possible. We have made a lot of progress.

"We beat Liverpool when everyone expected us to lose. We’re in a better position than we were three weeks ago. We’re only five points off 15th place and four points from safety."