The former Arsenal and England ace stepped up from his assistant manager's role at Fratton Park just over two weeks ago to take the top job after Redknapp quit to join Tottenham, but there are plenty of critics who doubt whether the 42-year-old has enough experience to continue the success story his predecessor established.

He has been warned he is stepping into potential turmoil at Pompey with strong rumours that owner Alexandre Gaydamak is ready to sell the club and, at the very least, will be prepared to sell the star players Redknapp signed to ease crippling debts.

Adams, who was in his third season as number two to Redknapp when his boss moved back to London last month, went abroad to Holland to refine his coaching qualifications after his first managerial job at Wycombe ended after less than a year with a record of just 12 wins from 53 matches.

But he insists: "I've got a very good squad of players here and I'm looking forward to adding to it and keeping us in the Premier League as well as defending the FA Cup we won last season.

"That is the remit for my job and I love doing it. As far as I know the owner here always backed the manager and I can't worry about whether or not the club will be sold. That's not my department.

"What I believe is that he will give me a free hand and enough for me to work with and I'll be judged on results and recruitment (of players). I'm confident I've got enough contacts and knowledge on the game to do the job.

"If people think I haven't had experience of recruitment they should ask anybody at Wycombe. I had to massively cut the budget and produce a decent team to stop the rot there and of the 21 players I let go I think only two are still playing league football.

"I'm quite proud of what I achieved there and I'm confident that I'll build something good here. For now finishing in the top 10 for a third consecutive season would be fantastic for us."