Adams: Campbell can be calming influence

4th December 2008

Portsmouth manager Tony Adams hopes a fit-again Sol Campbell can provide the base for Pompey to rebuild their UEFA Cup campaign in Germany.

Portsmouth head into the game with Wolfsburg with just a single point from their two matches so far in Group E, and realistically must win at the Volkswagen Arena to have any hope of progressing to the last 32.

Last week, Adams' side let slip a two-goal lead with six minutes remaining to draw 2-2 with AC Milan at Fratton Park, and with it lost a gilt-edged chance to atone for their 3-0 hammering at Braga in their first pool match in October.

Two victories against Wolfsburg and Heerenveen, on December 17, would see them through, but picking up three vital points at the home of the Wolves will be a massive task given they are unbeaten there this season. Campbell is set to be handed a first start in a month, along with creative linchpin Niko Kranjcar, as Adams makes a last-ditch bid for European salvation.

"I want Sol to play every game, I think he's a phenomenal football player. I played alongside him so I know his strengths," Adams said. "I think we've missed him for the last few games, even though the players who've come in have done very well. You miss someone of that experience.

"We've gone five games undefeated so things aren't going so badly, but I just think we missed a little bit of team maturity." He added: "After a couple of games when we've been done late, his experience could have helped. Someone like that who's been there, seen it, done it has a calming influence on the team. We've just missed players of that experience."

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3:00, Sun 7th Dec
West Brom	v	Portsmouth
1:30, Sun 14th Dec
Portsmouth	v	Newcastle
3:00, Sat 20th Dec
Bolton	v	Portsmouth
1:00, Fri 26th Dec
Portsmouth	v	West Ham
2:00, Sun 28th Dec
Arsenal	v	Portsmouth

3:00, Sun 30th Nov
Portsmouth	3	v	2	Blackburn
3:00, Sat 22nd Nov
Portsmouth	2	v	2	Hull
3:00, Sat 15th Nov
West Ham	0	v	0	Portsmouth
3:00, Sat 8th Nov
Sunderland	1	v	2	Portsmouth
3:00, Sat 1st Nov
Portsmouth	1	v	2	Wigan