'Plenty of work' - Portsmouth told home truths ahead of January transfer window and what priority should be

The 3-6 positions Pompey need to address during the January transfer window have been identified.

That’s the parameters within which Blues boss John Mousinho is hoping the club’s recruitment teams will operate over the coming month, with Pompey in need of reinforcements to bolster their chances of remaining in the Championship.

The Fratton Park side did themselves a huge favour on the survival front on Monday night against Charlton when they cancelled out Harvey Knibb’s 90+6 minute equaliser with Minyeok Yang’s last kick off the game.

That moved the Blues up to 21st in the table and three points clear of the relegation zone as they reached the halfway point of the campiaign.

And while focus on the pitch turns to Thursday’s New Year’s Day trip to Bristol City, off the pitch the priority will be bolstering the first-team ranks, with the transfer window opening for business on the same day.

Pompey’s transfer priorities during January window

Mousinho has made no secret of the number of recruits he’d like to see arrive into Fratton Park in the coming weeks.

Despite tell-tale signs, where exactly he believes needs strengtheng the most remains to be seen.

Yet on the eve of the transfer window opening, The News’ Neil Allen has identified the positions he thinks will be the Blues’ priority.

Pompey’s struggles in front of goal this season, have been evident, with Colby Bishop now into a 19-game goalless run and with just one goal to his name this term.

According to Allen, finding competition for that role must be the primary objective, with current deputy Makenzie Kirk struggling for physicality in his first season in the Championship.

But with Pompey also failing to find a suitable successor to Matt Ritchie on the right wing, and a natural replacement for former West Ham loanee Freddie Potts in the centre of midfield, The News’ chief sports writer believes there are several gaps in the squad that need plugging - especially with injuries also a major factor.

Neil Allen - what Pompey need

Allen was speaking about Pompey’s January transfer needs in the latest episode of Pompey Talk.

Here’s what he said as the discussion turned to recruitment.

‘I know Colby Bishop's in horrendous form, especially goalscoring form, but I thought they missed him (against Charlton),’ said Allen.

‘(Makenzie) Kirk struggled with the physicality up front with the Charlton centre-halves. He's only six foot as well, Kirk, and he's not a big lad, he's not well built, is he, either.

‘So that physicality that Bishop brings, they can't replicate that (at the moment). So Pompey need another centre forward, not a kid, an experienced centre-forward.

‘For me, they also need a right-winger. They've used eight right-wingers this season. Eight. Eight right wingers and we’re only halfway through!

John Mousinho’s said many times they need to get left-back cover for Ogilvie.

‘And, again, I think they need two central midfielders. At the moment, (Luke) Le Roux’s well out of it. Kosznovszky's done all right, but doesn't change a game or anything, does he, and he came off injured.

‘So I would like two centre midfielders as well.

‘Then, finally, Mousinho’s said, quite rightly the other day, does he get a centre half?

‘He's going to look at the injury situation of the centre halves in a few days' time, and if all five are fit and available, perhaps he doesn't need another centre half.

So, we'll see with that one. There's plenty of work to be done to that team, that squad. ‘

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