Harry Redknapp has challenged John Utaka to make a new start at Portsmouth by fulfilling his obvious potential at Fratton Park, even as team mate Nwankwo Kanu insists an upset is possible in tomorrow’s FA Cup showdown with Manchester United.
The £7 million attacker had a flying start to his Premier League career, scoring on his debut and then again in the third match of the season against Bolton.
However, that form has not continued since then, with only two further goals coming from the flying wideman.
He was left on the bench for Pompey’s recent 3-1 defeat at Everton, and Redknapp has challenged Utaka to find his best form ahead of the weekend FA Cup quarter final at Manchester United.
“We are going to need some performances from him between now and the end of the season,” Redknapp told The News. “He has all the ability in the world and can be what he wants to be.
“He can finish terrifically. You'd take John to score when he goes through. He has done that on a couple of occasions for us this season. “John has fantastic ability so it's up to him to put it to use. He has to use it.”
Meanwhile, Kanu believes that Pompey can cause an upset tomorrow stressing that in cup games anything is possible.
Speaking to THISDAYSports on phone from his London home yesterday, Kanu, who is scheduled to undergo a late fitness test today ahead of tomorrow’s clash, said: “United are a very good side. They are very difficult to beat at home but this is a cup game and anything is possible.
“We’ve already seen a number of underdogs causing upsets. We’re the underdogs tomorrow and we’re also ready to cause our own upset. We have the players and the resolve to do well against the favourites.”
For Kanu who won the FA Cup with Arsenal, believes even a draw for Pompey at Old Trafford would be a stunning achievement.
“Even if we’re able to get a draw we’ll be able to finish the job at Fratton Park,” said the former African Footballer of the Year who was on the wrong side of a 2-0 Premiership defeat when Pompey visited the Theatre of Dreams.
Speaking in a similar view, Jermain Defoe has every confidence Pompey can upset United this weekend, admitting he has been shocked by the level of quality at Fratton Park.
“When I got the phone call before I came here I looked at the players and saw how much quality there was,” Defoe told the club’s website.
“But even then you don’t realise how good they are until you actually play with them.”
United, who have only faced Premier League opposition in this season’s competition, and Portsmouth met in the fourth round last year when two outstanding goals from Wayne Rooney gave the home side a narrow 2-1 victory at Old Trafford.
Both the Manchester United versus Portsmouth FA Cup clash and the evening tie between Barnsley and Chelsea are live on SuperSport.
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