FORMER Town coach Joe Jordan was today preparing Portsmouth for tomorrow's tough clash with Premiership leaders Chelsea as skipper Dejan Stefanovic fired a broadside to departing manager Alain Perrin.

The skipper claimed the Frenchman's sacking has given everyone at Fratton Park a lift.

Perrin was axed yesterday after just seven months by chairman Milan Mandaric following a run of bad form and reports he had lost the respect of senior players.

The former Marseille coach's record of four wins in 21 games is the worst in the club's history for a manager.

And Stefanovic, speaking at the club's training ground, revealed Perrin's defensive methods had split the dressing room at fourth- bottom Pompey.

Stefanovic said: "Different managers have different opinions on tactics and that's not for me to argue.

"Some players had good opinions of him and some had bad.

"But now that he's gone we've got to focus on the game against Chelsea and this could give everyone a big lift at the club."

Head coach Joe Jordan, who was assistant to Lou Macari at Town, takes over as caretaker manager before Mandaric appoints a long-term successor.

Stefanovic added: "Joe Jordan is a great coach and having been at the club for two years he knows the players and our style.

"He should correct some things that have been going wrong recently."

It is Jordan's second stint as caretaker manager.

Midway through last season, when Harry Redknapp walked out on Pompey, he was paired together with now-departed Velimir Zajec for four months.

Jordan said: "The chairman has asked me to do a job temporarily and that's what I'm going to do.

"It's exciting playing Chelsea but every game has the same reward and that's three points.

"But it's a challenge I'm relishing."

Stefanovic is unlikely to play against the champions as he has an ankle injury.

Collins Mbesuma has a thigh strain and is doubtful.

Hernan Crespo will be looking to continue in the Chelsea starting line-up after scoring his third goal in as many games against Anderlecht.

Two goals inside the first 15 minutes gave Chelsea an easy Champions League victory over the Belgians with Crespo, the subject of much speculation surrounding his Stamford Bridge future in recent weeks, volleying them ahead in the seventh minute.

And England midfielder Joe Cole was full of praise for the player who has been linked with a move away during the January window.

Cole believes the Argentinian is more settled now he is back at the club following a season long loan at AC Milan last term.

"Crespo showed he is a world-class player against Anderlecht," said Cole.

"He is so calm in front of goal. That is why you pay fortunes for strikers because it is rare.

"He is an excellent player and we are happy to have him. He is always in with the banter and I think he has settled really well this time."

Crespo was given the nod in preference to Didier Drogba against Anderlecht.