Andy Awford early frontrunner for Portsmouth vacancy

Portsmouth caretaker manager Andy Awford has been installed as the bookmakers favourite to land the job on a full-time basis. The club’s Academy boss was placed in charge of the first team on Monday, for the second time, following the sacking of Richie Barker, who lasted just over 100 days at Fratton Park.

Awford is a former Pompey captain who made over 300 appearances for the club. On Thursday the popular 41-year-old was catapulted to the forefront of the dugout, and will now be tasked with preserving the club’s Football League status, which is currently hanging tentatively in the balance, with the south coast side just two points above the relegation zone, following a torrid run.

Awford can currently be found at 13/8 with Bet Victor in the Next Portsmouth Manager Market, and if he prevents a third successive promotion then the job could well be his. Meanwhile other contenders include Neil Warnock, club legend Steve Claridge, and former England boss Glenn Hoddle.

Awford will be trust straight into the action with Pompey tackling Newport at Rodney Parade on Saturday. He will be desperate to inspire an instant transformation as it is hoped that his presence will motivate a team currently on a downwards spiral, having failed to win in six matches, while they have worryingly found the back of the net just once in that time. A valuable victory would therefore be a huge boost and it could subsequently propel them five points clear of the drop zone, while a fourth defeat on the trot may see them slip into the bottom two.