Portsmouth Wembley winner praises Blues' £11m summer spending spree as Championship battle awaits
Pompey spent £11m recruiting 12 new players during the summer transfer window.
Wembley winner Nathan Thompson has praised Pompey’s summer spending spree.
And the right-back is confident John Mousinho’s men do have enough to improve on last term’s 18th-placed finish.
It was a hectic window at Fratton Park, with the Blues significantly upping the transfer kitty to bolster the head coach’s ranks.
Around £11m was spent to land 12 new players, including the multi-million pound captures of Marko Milovanovic, Rocco Shein, Tyrese Shade and Abu Kamara.
Pompey's increase in expenditure has naturally increased optimism among the Fratton faithful, who are hopeful of seeing Mousinho’s troops finish much higher in the standings this term.
Ex-Pompey defender’s Championship warning to Blues
Thompson, who spent two seasons at Fratton Park, is wary that although the Blues upped their spending, Championship rivals also flexed their financial muscles significantly in the summer.
He told The News: ‘The scary thing now is that it is only scratching the surface in the Championship.
‘Unfortunately, you look at the likes of what Middlesbrough spent on Will Lankshear at the top end of the pitch, that’s the going rate for teams just to be competitive.
‘But, at the same time what it does do is raise expectations, whether that’s the fans, whether that’s the board, there is naturally an assumption that by throwing money at the team that we should be in a better position than we were last season.
‘It’s a difficult one because other teams are doing exactly the same. I think it’s naturally important to keep pace but whether that translates to going and competing at the top end of the table is a different story.
‘Also what’s coming down from the Premier League, the teams with parachute payments, the investments now into these clubs whether that’s a Wrexham or a Birmingham. £6m is just a drop in the ocean for them compared to what Pompey have spent on a centre forward.
‘I know it sounds crazy in this day and age but unfortunately that’s what you’re dealing with in the Championship. It’s a different world.
‘From an investment standpoint, clubs look at it and go if we can get to the Premier League then we can make a return on the investment so they are prepared to throw money at it. Whereas Pompey’s owners approach it in a different way.
‘I take my hat off when you look at the history of the club and where they’ve been, it’s a lot more methodical and I know I am quoting the chairman by saying ‘brick by brick’ but ultimately it’s an approach that won’t put them in a financial position they’ve been in previously.
‘But, I understand as fans you want to see your team win, be successful and not have to look over your shoulders.’
Wembley winner’s Pompey Championship prediction
Pompey currently sit 18th in the early-season standings ahead of Saturday’s game against Blackburn Rovers before a three-week international break.
Despite an inconsistent start to the new campaign, Thompson is still confident the Blues have strengthened enough to pull away from a relegation battle this term.
‘You’d like to think so. It’s just being consistent, they’ve now got the players to make things happen.
‘Josh Murphy will be very important and his return (from injury) will be eagerly anticipated just because of what he can bring to the table.
‘If you were able to get your best players on the pitch consistently and perform like they can then there’s no reason whatsoever why the team can’t go and achieve what they set out to at the start of the season.
‘But, it’s just being consistent and unfortunately so far this season that hasn’t always been the case.
‘You’re desperate for them to be able to push on and see progress year on year but it’s not as easy as just throwing money at it.’