American property magnate Vince Wolanin began takeover talks immediately after
this match.
Wolanin is said to have £90million to invest in Pompey - most of it to build a
new stadium to replace century-old Fratton Park.
But as he went into his talks with owner Martin Gregory, even the
non-footballing Mr Wolanin must know an immediate cash injection will be needed
for new players.
For Pompey, with just one point from their last six matches, are plunging
towards the Second Division.
And they could have no complaints at this latest setback.
After a dreadful first-half in which neither goalkeeper knew a difficult
moment, they allowed Forest to steal the lead in the 52nd minute from an
expected source.
Centre-half Steve Chettle got on the end of a flick-on of a corner by Pierre
Van Hooijdonk to beat Alan Knight from close-range.
It was Chettle's first goal for two years but once it had broken the deadlock,
there was never any real doubt where the points were going.
Forest took a firm control in midfield and Pompey's attempts to break down the
visitors defence were puny.
They managed just two goal-worthy shots - Jimmy Carter stretching Dave Beasant
into his one awkward save and substitute John Aloisi steering an angled shot
just wide of the far post.
But at the other end, Van Hooijdonk was twice close to his 24th goal of the
season and Pompey needed a goal-line clearance from Australian Craig Foster to
deny Thomas from another corner.
Alan Ball returned to Fratton Park last week with orders to save the club from
relegation - the little man now knows the magnitude of the task he has taken
on.
Teams
Portsmouth: Knight, Pethick, Vlachoh, McLoughlin, Whitbread,
Awford, Hillier (Igoe 62), Foster, Durnin (Aloisi 62), Claridge,
Carter.
Subs Not Used: Flahavan.
Nottm Forest: Beasant, Lyttle, Rogers, Cooper, Chettle,
A. Johnson, D. Johnson, Thomas, Van Hooijdonk, Campbell,
Bonalair.
Subs Not Used: Moore, Armstrong, McGregor.
Booked: Bonalair.
Goals: Chettle 52.
Att: 15,033
Ref: C R Wilkes (Gloucester).
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