Hart to turn to Clough influence

Hart is taking charge of Pompey on a match-to-match basis

Portsmouth caretaker boss Paul Hart is planning to use the knowledge he picked up from Brian Clough to mastermind Pompey's battle against relegation.

Hart played under Clough at Nottingham Forest for two years in the mid-1980s.

And he wants to introduce the blueprint that Clough used to win two European Cups at Forest at Fratton Park.

Hart told BBC Radio Solent: "Brian Clough won European Cups with clean sheets. Everyone was organised and did their jobs."

He added: "Everything was about clean sheets. I was 30 when I went there. 'Head it, kick it', those words ring in my ears."

Former centre-half Hart, who also had a spell in charge at the City Ground, took charge of Pompey for the first time in Saturday's 2-0 home win over Manchester City.

The clean sheet was Portsmouth's first in the Premier League since 15 November 2008 and the victory eased some of the growing pressure on the side, lifting them to 15th in the table but still only four points above the relegation zone.

But after buying some breathing space in the battle against the drop, Hart is planning to instil some of the high standards he learned at Forest into his squad.

"There was a hierarchy there," he said. "We had a core of senior players with the kids.

"I roomed with Chris Fairclough. He'd carry my bags to the room and ask 'Which bed would you like? Would you like a cup of tea?' I didn't tell him, it's just what they did. Right through the club there was a respect."

Hart takes charge of his second Pompey game alongside Brian Kidd at Stoke City on Saturday.