JIM SMITH admits Harry Redknapp has been deeply hurt by the reaction of some Pompey fans following his controversial south-coast switch.

The Saints managerial team, left, are disappointed that the outstanding achievement of making Pompey a Premiership force is being overshadowed by their subsequent arrival at St Mary's.

Saints face Pompey at St Mary's tomorrow in the FA Cup fourth round - the first fixture between the clubs since Redknapp walked out of Fratton Park at the end of November and, two weeks later, became Saints manager.

Assistant boss Smith says Redknapp is determined to see the job through, but suspects the new Saints boss has endured moments of doubt during what has been the most stressful period of his managerial career.

"It's like everything in life. You might jump in and then you wish you hadn't - but then you get on with it and now probably tomorrow's result will settle him back in," said Smith.

"But you have to understand Harry. He is so committed and passionate about football.

"From my observations he got a real shock by the response from Portsmouth people when he did what he did because he's a football person. It was very bad for him and it hurt him a lot although it wasn't all like that - he had nice letters as well."

Smith admits even he has been taken aback by the intensity of the Saints/Pompey derby.

He said: "Harry probably didn't realise and me as well that this rivalry was so intense. Harry did an unbelievable job at Pompey, you would think the fans would respect that."

Jim Smith interview: See 12-page FA Cup pull-out in tonight's Daily Echo

Take a look at our special 'Saints v Portsmouth' derby site on www.thisisthesaints.co.uk.