Portsmouth boss Paul Hart has admitted he knew little about goal-hero Hassan Yebda before signing him.
Pompey boss admits loan signing was a "bit of an accident"
Portsmouth boss Paul Hart has admitted he knew little about Saturday's goal-hero Hassan Yebda before signing him.
The on-loan Benfica midfielder grabbed the only goal of the game as Pompey ended a seven-match losing streak in the Premier League with a 1-0 win at Wolves at the weekend.
The 25-year-old arrived at Fratton Park on deadline day of the transfer window and has struggled with his fitness after spending much of his Benfica time on the bench.
Hart insists the Frenchman now only needs games under his belt after making his mark with a vital goal at Molineux and revealed the signing was originally a gamble.
Hart said: "It (the signing) was a bit of an accident. His brother, who acts as his representative, came to see me and it went on from there.
"He said Hassan wasn't too happy at Benfica so I followed it up from that and managed to get him.
"He has been very patient. You saw signs there of what he is going to do for us. He just needs games now."
Boost
The win gives Portsmouth a much-needed boost as problems both on and off the field have dominated their season to date.
New owner Sulaiman Al Fahim's takeover has been far from straightforward, with cash-flow problems resulting in players failing to receive their pay this month and now there is talk of a new consortium taking charge.
On the field, Portsmouth lie rock bottom of the Premier League, despite the win at Wolves, but Hart insists his players are working hard amid the financial crisis surrounding the club.
"We've been through the mill in many ways - the club, the players, the fans, everyone working with us, but we have stuck together," said Hart.
"They are a great bunch of lads, they have shown great spirit and they have never wavered.
"We'd won two games in the Carling Cup and that had given us a lift. We've drawn on that but we knew we needed a win in the Premier League.
"The win was absolutely brilliant and I am pleased for everyone connected with the club. We've had a tough time but I don't think it should finish with these three points.
"Interestingly Tottenham, after eight games of last season, had two points and they nearly finished in Europe but I am not saying we are going to finish in Europe."
