Portsmouth look to diffuse Redknapp feud

Portsmouth have avoided the temptation to sling mud at former manager Harry Redknapp in a bid to prevent ugly scenes in their FA Cup fourth round match away to South Coast rivals Southampton today.

The derby, an all-Premier League tie, will be Redknapp's first reunion with his old club since quitting Portsmouth in November and taking the Southampton hot-seat just two weeks later, infuriating Pompey fans.

However, assistant coach Joe Jordan believes the fans recognise Redknapp's achievements in winning Portsmouth promotion and making them a solid Premier League outfit before his defection.

"The fans realise what Harry did in the history of Portsmouth," Jordan told reporters at the club's training ground, which is owned by the University of Southampton.

"It makes not one bit of a difference that Redknapp is now Southampton boss."

Redknapp resigned after feeling undermined by Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric's appointment of director of football Velimir Zajec, who has since taken charge as manager.

Redknapp has kept a low profile in the run-up to the game to try to dampen any hostility.

But Mandaric has kept on the offensive, telling the media this week that he would not sell any more players to Southampton after Scotland midfielder Nigel Quashie rejoined Redknapp for £2.1 million.

Mandaric was referring to Jamaican striker Ricardo Fuller, said to be wanted by the Saints manager.

Despite playing down the relevance of Redknapp to the tie, Jordan said he was ready for a huge game having experienced high pressure derbies as a player with Leeds United, Milan and Manchester United.

"This is a massive derby. There is no bigger game for this catchment area, but I just want it to be a healthy rivalry," he said.

"We are above them in the league but as Southampton have a home tie, we are a little bit the underdogs but we can handle that."

Jordan may be disappointed at playing away but the Football Association will have been delighted the tie was drawn at Southampton's St Mary's Stadium.

A game at Fratton Park would have pitted 21,000 angry Portsmouth fans against their former manager although the threat of violence between the two sets of supporters at Southampton still hangs over the game.

On the field, Southampton have shown signs of a revival under Redknapp despite still being stuck in 18th place and in the relegation zone.

A 2-0 home win over Liverpool last weekend was one of their most impressive performances of the season, with Redknapp's son Jamie pulling the strings in midfield after his recent move from Tottenham Hotspur.

Portsmouth completed the signing of Greek duo goalkeeper Kostas Chalkias and midfielder Giannis Skopelitis in time for today's kick off.

The 31-year-old Chalkias, part of Greece's victorious Euro 2004 squad, has moved to Fratton Park from Panathinaikos. Skopelitis played for Egaleo.