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DAN BRETT: Minus ten or not minus ten. Despite the question Pompey show they can be winners

So there we have it – Pompey finally win, after 133 gruelling days and 24 attempts. Goals from strike duo Patrick Agyemang and David Connolly saw the Blues win 2-1 at Crewe Alexandra; the club's first win since 20 October 2012.

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But in spite of relegation to League Two looming, it's a victory that caps off an excellent week for Pompey fans, both on and off the field.

Property developer and Trust partner Stuart Robinson finally completed his purchase of the land surrounding Fratton Park from the administator of the compnay owned by former club owner Alexandre Gaydamak.

Meanwhile, Portsmouth City Council rubber-stamped a £1.4million loan to the Trust, to aid with the purchase of the iconic stadium – despite an unwarranted attack by rival bidder Keith Harris.

Both instances have moved the fans just weeks away from owning Portsmouth Football Club; allowing the club to finally begin a long rebuilding process, after years of neglect by a series of owners.

With the side sitting ten points from safety (twenty, including the club's pending ten-point deduction), eyes are firmly on rebuilding the club's good name in League Two next season.

According to League rules, any club entering administration after the fourth Thursday in March would have their ten-point deduction suspended until the following season.

However, Pompey are a different case. This points deduction is a discretionary penalty which the league said would be imposed at the point of exiting administration. This ten point penalty has been hanging over the club since August, but it now seems likely the club will not be out of administration until April. So, if the league are as good as their word, the points will come off then. Nevertheless, no one really knows. 'Discretionary' is the key word.

Regardless, this will be a Pompey side who are well-drilled in lower league life, and who will be run effectively and efficiently, by the very supporters who will be cheering on their side from the stands each week.

And if there's any pair that are up to the task of marching Pompey into the new era, it's Guy Whittingham and Andy Awford.

The pair, who have been synonymous with the club since their playing days, today earned their first win since taking charge of the side, following Michael Appleton's move to Blackpool in November.

However, despite 2,070 minutes of win-less football, the duo have offered opportunity to Pompey's young stars to earn their spurs.

Ashley Harris, Adam Webster, Dan Butler and Jed Wallace have all been given chance to shine in the first-team squad – a decision that has seen Premier League clubs interested in the quartet.

And although only Harris and Webster remain the club's only permanent players, there's no doubt that Guy and Andy will be hoping to tie all four down to long-term deals.

Awford, who himself was just 17 when joining Portsmouth in 1989, has been clear on his desire to keep Pompey's youngsters, allowing them to learn their trade at the club - and hopefully go on to emulate his 313 appearances (with hopefully more than three goals...).

However, with the club playing home to 17 players on either loan or month-to-month contracts, the remainder of the season will offer an excellent opportunity for players wishing to return to Fratton Park next season.

James Keene, who re-joined the club on loan from Swedish side IF Elfsborg, has left the door open to a return to the club – a player who knows exactly what the fans want from their side.

And there's no doubt that Whittingham will be keen to keep hold of Pompey's big characters – such as Johnny Ertl and Ricardo Rocha, who offer not only passion for the shirt, but an affinity with the club's loyal supporters.

Players, too, that show real heart, grit and determination – something shared with the club's supporters, who remain ever-loyal despite five years of administrations, embargoes and embarrassing headlines.

The views of Dan Brett are his own and don't necessarily reflect the editorial view of pompey-fans.com.

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