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| Portsmouth manager Paul Cook advising his team during the 0-0 draw at Fratton Park |
A NEW supermarket behind a football stadium usually means little more than increased traffic and a chance to shop before the game, but the superstore behind Portsmouth's ground reflects more than that.
The new Tesco Extra at Fratton Park, opened last week to a fanfare involving players both past and present, will give the fallen League Two giants vital revenue to finally work on their antiquated venue, their home since 1898.
What the club is entitled to from its completion is unclear, although a seven-figure sum has been suggested locally, but the fact they have received anything tangible from their recent tribulations is a minor miracle.
The land, formerly a car park behind the Fratton End, was part of the club's portfolio until 2009, when it was separated under then-owner Sacha Gaydamak. Although money has finally arrived through an arrangement from current owners Point Estates, it is illustrative of the club's problems of recent years.
Portsmouth's problems since their 2008 FA Cup win over Cardiff City have become as painful as they are legendary. Two administrations in three years, ownership wrangles and winding-up petitions have made their three demotions from Premier League in 2010
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| Jonathan Meades of Wimbledon battling for possession with Pompey's Gareth Evans |
Relegation to the bottom tier of the Football League at the end of the 2012/13 season, the first time since 1980, has at least allowed them to stabilise matters. A takeover by the Portsmouth Supporters Trust in April 2013 led to the club finally becoming debt free 18 months later.
Stability on the field has also finally arrived, with Portsmouth one place outside the automatic promotion places after this goalless draw against AFC Wimbledon.
It may have been a sign of normality with some discontent at the final whistle, when a section of the crowd booed in frustration at Portsmouth failing to win at home again.
Two victories on their own patch all season has told its own story, but manager Paul Cook believes the young squad he has assembled must learn quickly if they are to push up the divisions again.
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| Marc McNulty went close for Portsmouth as they failed to win at home again |
"We've got a good group, we've got a lot of young players in there, and this is going to be a crucial time until January, it's going to be a really big time for us," he said.
"We've played eight games away from home, drawn two and lost one. Our supporters come and pay a lot of money to see us, they haven't seen us win enough at home.
"We come into a club like this, nobody is under any illusions how hard it is, and I hope any criticism is aimed towards me."
Neither side were able to put on much of a contest in the first half for the television cameras, although the home side had the better of the play.
Ade Azeez of Wimbledon squandered the best chance of the half when he attempted to slot past keeper Brian Murphy from an acute angle, rather than square to Lyle Taylor in a better position.
Portsmouth almost took the lead five minutes after the restart, when Marc McNulty was able to turn and shoot in the box, but his close-range effort was excellently tipped over the bar by Wimbledon keeper Ben Wilson.
Christian Burgess put his 67th-minute header wide of the post, but the South Londoners held firm, leaving manager Neal Ardley pleased with the display.
"The whole back four and the keeper were excellent. It's a team game," he said.
"The work rate from the front was good. The midfield did an unbelievable amount of work, and the back players stood firm, they didn't make any silly decisions."
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