Groves demands Pompey focus

The south coast struggler take on Birmingham at Fratton Park on Tuesday evening (Wednesday morning AEDT) and will be looking to claim its second win over the Blues in a week.

Rock-bottom Pompey took a break from Premier League action last weekend to beat Alex McLeish's side 2-0 and book its place in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley against Fulham or Tottenham.

Another victory over the Blues would on paper leave Avram Grant's men just two points from safety, but with the club almost certain to be hit with the points deduction for going into administration, hopes of survival could be swiftly dashed.

Groves is determined to keep fighting for the club's Premier League future - whether or not it loses the points.

He said: "We want to do well and until those nine points are taken away from us, we'll continue chasing the teams above and hopefully put some pressure on them.

"I think the players and staff believe we could get out of it if given the opportunity, but we'll have to wait and see.

"Until the points are taken away, we'll keep going as if we're on 19 points and striving to get a few more.

"We want to put pressure on the teams above and if we can do that, who knows? The nine-point deduction is something we don't have any control over."

Administrator Andrew Andronikou has made no secret of the fact he is determined to save Pompey from a points penalty.

But there is also a chance the club's decision to go into voluntary administration will be ruled invalid by the courts, after the move was challenged by HM Revenue and Customs.

Groves admits he is unsure whether Pompey will retain its points, so he is determined to pick up another three against the Blues.

He said: "Obviously the powers that be will take the decision. We will not have any control over it, no matter what decision is taken.

"All we can do is concentrate on the football. That's what the players have done and what we've tried to do all the time.

"Hopefully, things may turn in our favour, but if they don't, it's something we'll have to deal with.

"We'll just do what we can on the pitch. That's why the game is so important to us on Tuesday night.

"It's a game we can get three points from and one where we can get ourselves very close to the pack. It takes on added importance."

One decision Pompey benefited from this week was FIFA's continued reluctance to introduce goal line technology.

Birmingham was left seething after television cameras showed a Liam Ridgewell header from close range clearly crossed the line late on, before being hooked clear by goalkeeper David James.

Referee Steve Bennett and his assistant failed to award a goal, and the incident prompted McLeish to call for goal line technology.

Groves was sympathetic to the Scot's calls, but was nevertheless grateful Pompey finally enjoyed some good fortune.

He said: "They say these things even themselves out over the course of a season.

"Alex came out after the game and said he didn't think it would have necessarily changed the result.

"But it may have changed the last 10 minutes of the game and it might have been a bit different. I suppose we'll never know."