Boss' sympathy for fans over Pompey postponement

Mark
Hughes was disappointed that Saturday’s game against Portsmouth was
called off, but having seen the Fratton Park pitch for himself he felt
there was no other option for referee Mike Dean.

The game against
Pompey has become a victim of the severe cold snap gripping the south
of England after parts of the pitch failed to make it back to playable
status. Temperatures had been expected to stay above freezing in
Portsmouth on Friday night, but with the thermometer dropping to minus
seven a morning inspection was required and a quick decision was taken.

The
boss told us, “We are disappointed that the game has not been able to
take place today, and we feel particularly for all our loyal fans, the
vast majority of whom would have already set off or even arrived in
Portsmouth.

“However representatives of both clubs, including
myself, went out with the referee onto the pitch at 10.00am and it was
clear that it was in no fit condition for play, and that it would have
been dangerous for both sides to play on.”

The Club will now be looking to reschedule the game, and mcfc.co.uk will bring you news on that as soon as we have it.

In
the mean time, the postponement means that Stephen Ireland’s one-match
suspension for reaching five yellow cards in the Barclays Premier
League this season will now take effect for next Saturday’s home game
against Wigan Athletic.