5 must-do transfer fixes Portsmouth must sanction in January to avoid Championship relegation
The News has identified 5 areas that definitely need addressing by Pompey in the January transfer window
The January transfer window might still be eight weeks away.
But for some, it can’t come quick enough as Pompey sit just four points and two places above the relegation zone with one win in 11 games.
The Blues’ chances of staying clear of serious trouble will be boosted by the return of the majority of their injured players ahead of the busy festive period, with the likes of Adrian Segecic, Nicolas Schmid and Callum Lang potentially even being in contention for the Millwall game immediately after the international break.
Yet their returns will only paper over some the cracks in the Pompey squad that have come to light in recent weeks.
Instead, yet more investment in the first team will be needed if the Blues are to keep a possible return to League One at arm’s length.
Here’s 5 issues we believe must be sorted in the January transfer window if John Mousinho’s side are to retain their Championship status for another year.
Fratton Park departures
As is well-documented, Pompey operate with one of the lowest budgets in the Championship, so freeing up some extra cash is advisable.
The Blues have many prized assets in their ranks, but selling off the family jewellery is not the answer. Rather, thoughts must once again turn to those players who are unable to make Mousinho’s side the Championship force we all want them to be.
The Fratton Park recruitment have done well in this respect in recent transfer windows. Elias Sorensen, Ben Stevenson, Anthony Scully, Abdoulaye Kamara, Will Norris and Tom McIntyre are just some of the names that spring to mind.
In fairness, it’s not an envious task, with some tough decisions needed. Yet, once again, Pompey find themselves in a position where those under-performing on a consistent basis need to be moved on in order to make the first-team squad more competitive and give it greater depth.
Loanee Florian Bianchini is an obvious candidate, with the Frenchman yet to show why he was brought to Fratton Park in the sumer from Swansea.
Jordan Archer, too, isn’t contributing on a match-day, while loans for the likes of Hayden Matthews, Jacob Farrell and Thomas Waddingham might prove beneficial for their long-term development in the English game and free up space at PO4.
There’s even an argument for Luke Le Roux and Mark Kosznovszky to find alternative employers. Both signed for £1m-plus in the summer, but neither has really proven they are Championship quality.
There’s definitely on-the-pitch comparisons to be made with Sorensen’s spell at Fratton Park over the first half of last season. He ended up being shifted out six months after his move from Esbjerg.
Left-back to cover for injured Connor Ogilvie
The knee injury that is set to keep Connor Ogilvie out of action for 10-12 weeks is a massive blow for the Blues.
With Pompey having no real cover for that position because of Farrell’s ongoing battle with injury, finding someone to fill the former Spurs man’s shoes and provide proper competition on his return is a top priority.
Mousinho has already admitted he might have to turn to a free agent to come to his side’s rescue. Finding someone of sufficient calibre and fitness at this stage of the season will be tough. Therefore, Pompey must be ready to act as soon as the shutters go up on the January transfer window.
Those options currently available within his first-team ranks are not up to the job.
Central-midfield weaker than last season
At this moment in time, it’s hard to see a stronger central midfield partnership that doesn’t include Andre Dozzell and Marlon Pack.
John Swift, Le Roux, Kosznovszky and Zak Swanson have all played there at some point this season, but Dozzell and Pack appear to be the more trustworthy partnership.
That’s okay, to a degree. But it’s worth remembering that last season skipper Pack was long considered not good enough to break into the team when Dozzell was joined by Freddie Potts and Isaac Hayden as Pompey’s main midfield options.
What’s changed? Either Pack has improved with age or the Blues’ midfield isn’t as strong as last term’s - particularly over the second half of the season. I would personally go for the latter option.
Right-wing a constant conundrum
The right-wing position has been a sore point for Pompey all season. In fact, it’s been a problem position ever since Matt Ritchie was told he was no longer guaranteed to be a starter during the summer and left.
When that development came out, fans would have been forgiven for thinking that a top-class replacement was on its way. Instead, it would be hard to find a position within the Blues ranks that has had more auditions.
Callum Lang, Segecic, Conor Chaplin, Bianchini, Terry Devlin, Kosznovszky and Harvey Blair - when he’s been fit - have all featured there this term. Yet none of them have looked wholly comfortable operating out wide. Franco Umeh, meanwhile, is yet to feature because of injury since his move from Crystal Palace.
You never know, he or Blair might save the Blues a small fortune when they are fit and ready to compete for starting XI. Yet, can Pompey really afford to wait any more?
Lang and Segecic - both also currently out injured - remain Pompey’s best bets. But both prefer to operate more centrally, putting us back to square one again!
Pompey striker solution needed
At present, Pompey are the joint-second lowest goalscorers in the division with 12.
And with first-choice striker Colby Bishop contributing just one of those goals, sitting below Devlin in the Blues’ scoring charts, it’s understandable why he’s been the subject of much flak this term.
In the 29-year-old’s defence, injuries to fellow forwards will have impacted the supply lines he’s grown accustomed to since move to the south coast from Accrington in the summer of 2022.
However, poor form in general has also brought him to the attention of supporters and heightened calls for greater competition or a viable alternative to be found in January.
Both Makenzie Kirk and Thomas Waddingham (currently injured) look promising prospects. But Pompey need something for the here and now - and quick!
For you next Pompey read: What Portsmouth’s strongest starting XI and bench could look like when every injured player returns