Portsmouth's League One title hopes received a major boost on Monday night when they claimed a deserved 2-0 home win against promotion rivals Bolton Wanderers. A goal in each half from Conor Shaughnessy and Kusini Yengi ensured John Mousinho's side moved six points clear at the top of the table and extended their exceptional run of form to just one defeat in their first 20 games of the season.
A challenging Christmas period lies ahead with away days at Shrewsbury Town, Bristol Rovers and Exeter City all on the agenda alongside home clashes with Fleetwood Town and Stevenage. The new year will also bring a new opportunity for Mousinho to further strengthen his squad after the Pompey boss enjoyed a fruitful summer transfer window. But how could the January trading play out for Pompey?
We fired up Football Manager 2024 to see which players could be on the move to and from Fratton Park in the first month of the new year.
We fired up Football Manager 2024 to see which players could be on the move to and from Fratton Park in the first month of the new year.
![The defender joined Pompey in a £25k deal from their League One rivals.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/01/19/12/GettyImages-1455574698.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
5. IN: James Gibbons (from Bristol Rovers)
The defender joined Pompey in a £25k deal from their League One rivals. | Getty Images
![Swanson moved to the Tykes in a £150k deal.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjRlZDc2NDljLTQwZWUtNGNiMS04NmE4LTM2NzIwMGI3YjFhODoyOWZjMmViMS0zZGU5LTQ5YzQtOWI1Zi1mNTFiMmViYWM2ZTQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
6. OUT: Zak Swanson (to Barnsley)
Swanson moved to the Tykes in a £150k deal.Photo: Jason Brown
![The highly-rated left-back joined Pompey on loan until the end of the season.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjkyYWJlMTg3LTExY2UtNGE2Yy1hYmJmLTMzYzgxMjkyZTg1ZDozMDE1YTdkYy0yZTdmLTRiZjItYmRjZi1jM2JiYjQxMzQ2MTk=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=763)
7. IN: Bryant Bilongo (from Middlesbrough)
The highly-rated left-back joined Pompey on loan until the end of the season.Photo: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC
![A shock Championship move as West Brom pay £3.5m for the Pompey star.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjNjOTliY2ExLTYwZmYtNGNlYi1hMjhjLTAyNWZmOTVkNzljNjplZmQyYjIxOS1kOGJmLTRmMGUtODBkYS05MWRmZWI1YmFlZDI=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
8. OUT: Paddy Lane (to West Bromwich Albion)
A shock Championship move as West Brom pay £3.5m for the Pompey star.Photo: Jason Brown