Storrie: Go easy on Redknapp

Redknapp, who sensationally quit Portsmouth in October, will be returning to the south-coast club with his high-flying Spurs side for the first time since taking charge at White Hart Lane.

Pompey fans have endured a turbulent time since his departure.

A book-balancing player exodus this summer was but a prelude to the long-running ownership saga which threatened to derail Portsmouth’s season.

Despite the fresh chaos engulfing the club, few have forgiven or forgotten Redknapp, who had already walked out on club in 2004 to join bitter-rivals Southampton, for absconding to Spurs in such hasty fashion last year.

And Redknapp did little to heal the rift by raiding his old club no less than three times to sign Peter Crouch, Niko Kranjcar and Jermain Defoe.

But Pompey’s chief executive knows only too well that it is Redknapp’s presence that is likely to light the blue touch paper, and Storrie has urged the Blues' faithful to temper their frustration toward the club’s former manager.

“Obviously we all know what reaction he will probably get,” he said.

“I just hope there’s a balance in the fans’ reaction at the game. I know people will say ‘oh you’re biased because he’s your friend’ but he has brought great success to this football club.”

Redknapp, 62, turned Portsmouth into an established Premier League outfit and guided them to FA Cup success in 2008, an achievement Storrie hopes will be reflected in Redknapp’s Fratton Park reception.

“Harry’s a top-quality manager and I think there will be a lot of people here who will appreciate that," he said.

“I just hope the fans will be fair and realise the successes that Harry brought to the club, which was absolutely tremendous.

“Yes, obviously he will get some sort of stick and he knows that, but I think you have to remember the job he’s done for the club.”