DEFENDER Dejan Stefanovic has predicted boom times ahead for Pompey after revealing how new Fratton Park executive director Velimir Zajec was his childhood hero and footballing inspiration.

Zajec was in his pomp as captain of Yugoslavia when Stefanovic was growing up in Belgrade, yet there was little recognition of his playing achievements when he arrived in England last month.

Stefanovic recalls how Zajec made the role of a defender attractive to him from an early age, and now he believes the 47-year-old can play a key role in Pompey's long-term planning.

With Harry Redknapp gone, Zajec and chairman Milan Mandaric are scouring Britain and further afield for a new manager with an appointment expected before the end of December.

Stefanovic is confident that Zajec, who joined from Panathinaikos, will open up a world of opportunities for Portsmouth.

"He was my hero when I was a boy," said the former Sheffield Wednesday defender.

"He was admired by everyone of my generation in Yugoslavia, but it was extra for me as he was a centre-back, and I modelled my play on him.

"I think he was certainly the best to play for Yugoslavia, and he is still very famous in my country and in Greece. It shows Pompey's ambition that he is here now.

"He will raise the profile of the club everywhere, and that will make it easier to bring in new players.

"He has contacts all over Europe, and will use his knowledge to do something with a youth system as well.

"Harry and Jim (Smith) did a great job but life goes on and everyone is looking to the future. There is going to be a brand new stadium and a team to match."

Pompey have notched back-to-back Premiership wins since Redknapp departed with Saturday's dramatic 3-2 home win over West Brom following on the back of last weekend's 1-0 triumph at Bolton.

Their Carling Cup exit at Watford notwithstanding, the signs are that Redknapp's departure might not have quite the cataclysmic effect which some supporters had feared.

To the relief of Stefanovic, whose early own goal gave West Brom the lead at Fratton Park, Pompey rallied and stole victory thanks to late strikes from Arjan de Zeeuw and Lomana LuaLua.

The three points were very welcome ahead of a tricky schedule that sees Pompey face Newcastle, Liverpool, Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Chelsea.

Pompey are up to ninth, halfway towards their survival target with 21 points, and if Zajec steps down from the driving seat next week, he has already steered the club through a difficult spell with considerable reward.

The futures of Joe Jordan and Kevin Bond remain unclear. Having worked under Redknapp, both are now assisting Zajec until a new appointment can be made, whereupon their positions should become clear.

Jordan said: "It depends on the person coming in, but people know we are here and what we can do.

"Velimir has come in; kept the ship as steady as possible; and we are back in a good position with two massive wins.

"They were so important to give us some time. Of course you need the stability of a manager, but now we don't have to rush or act in haste, even though we want to do these things in good time.

"I don't usually look too far ahead in the fixture list, but I've taken a little glance at December. It is reassuring we've got 21 points from 15 games, because it is a hard month coming up.

"The chairman is changing the club and it was Harry who brought all these players here and fostered a great team spirit. That still comes through with our good recent results in the league."

There remains considerable work for Zajec, the coaching staff and the incoming manager to carry out, given Pompey were out of sorts for much of Saturday's game.

When Robert Earnshaw tapped in West Brom's second goal just before half-time, Portsmouth's position at 2-1 down and playing sloppy football looked bleak.

It was Wales' striker Earnshaw's fifth goal in five games and looked set to deliver the Baggies their second Premiership win of the season, until Pompey's late show delivered three points for the home side.

Substitute Eyal Berkovic fashioned the 85th-minute equaliser, a header from De Zeeuw, and then crossed for LuaLua to smash home the Pompey winner.

West Brom boss Bryan Robson was left devastated, having looked set for his first win in charge. "I've had a go at the boys after that," he said.

"We will never get a better chance of an away win, and I'm tired of hearing them make excuses for each other. It was just not good enough."