Pompey get language lessons in Harry´s game

Foreign players at Portsmouth are taking English lessons at a language school so they have a clearer understanding of manager Harry Redknapp's instructions.

The aim is also to make sure that players at the Premier League club are better able to communicate amongst themselves during the heated atmosphere and noise of a matchday.

Such common English football expressions as “man on” are among those being taught with teacher Dr Jay Kettle-Williams also using a table football game to help illustrate the terminology.

A spokesman for language school Polyglot Solutions in the Southsea area of Portsmouth said improved English would also help off the field as well.

“The lessons were inspired by the fact that the English level by the players and their wives was not adequate for living and working in Portsmouth.

“That was the springboard for the lessons and as well as that it is crucial for the players to understand instructions on the pitch.”

However, FA Cup holders Portsmouth haven't had too much cause to feel “gutted” or “sick as a parrot” so far this season with the south coast club currently seventh in the Premier League.

That suggests the words of London-born Redknapp are not being lost in translation that often.