MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 00:35:03| >> :120:12461:12461:

Michael Appleton not giving up hope

Appleton not giving up hope
© PA Photos
Portsmouth boss Michael Appleton still believes that his side have a chance of Championship survival, albeit a very small one.

Portsmouth manager Michael Appleton has refused to give up hope of Championship survival, but has admitted that his side's chances aren't great.

Portsmouth were seconds away from being relegated today, but a late goal gave them a dramatic 4-3 win over Doncaster Rovers, sending their opponents down instead.

Although Appleton understands that his side face an uphill struggle to survive, he is refusing to give up just yet.

"Our chances of staying up are not great," he said. "Even if we win the three games, all Bristol City have to do is look after their own ship. I think if it was a Grand National we'd be a 500-1 shot.

"What today does do though is it gives me confidence we can win three games. There's an opportunity there and we will continue to fight as hard as we possibly can.

"I'm glad we've got two home games now. The fans will hopefully push and squeeze the ball into the back of the net for us. Who knows? We live to fight another day. Let's see where we are on Tuesday."

Pompey's three remaining matches come against Crystal Palace, Derby and Nottingham Forest.

ID:23745: cacheID:23745:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2002:
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Fratton Park
Read Next:
Portsmouth debt reaches £58m
>
Read more about Michael Appleton Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd21145230111945
2Leeds UnitedLeeds21126337152242
3Sunderland21117332171540
4Burnley2010822471738
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2011452517837
6Middlesbrough21104735251034
7West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2071122314932
8Watford199462725231
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds218582630-429
10Swansea CitySwansea217682322127
11Bristol City216962626027
12Norwich CityNorwich206863530526
13Millwall206772018225
14Derby CountyDerby216692626024
15Coventry CityCoventry216692730-324
16Preston North EndPreston2141162127-623
17Stoke CityStoke215792328-522
18Queens Park RangersQPR2141072127-622
19Luton TownLuton2164112337-1422
20Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2046102133-1218
21Cardiff CityCardiff2046101932-1318
22Portsmouth193882134-1317
23Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2045111942-2317
24Hull City2137111930-1116


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!