Fans react: Pompey's problems down to transfer window

Talking to The News. the Blues manager admitted he needed to solve the frailties displayed by his troops at the back in recent weeks.

Pompey conceded three goals in their defeat at Southend on Saturday, making it 12 consecutive games without a clean sheet.

The Blues have also won just once since the turn of the year, leaving fans frustrated as their League One play-off hopes fade.

Pompey's form and problems at the back have been the subject of much debate on our Facebook page Portsmouth FC - The News and at portsmouth.co.uk.

But rather than singling out players, or criticising the team, most of those commenting have questioned the Blues' transfer policy during the January Transfer Window.

They believe not enough was done to sustain their play-off challenge, particularly with injuries to midfielders Danny Rose and Stuart O'Keefe.

Here's what those who have been in touch have had to say...

Keith Reed

30 days to replace a decimated midfield.

No action by management. Instead they made Ben Close - a fringe player in Div 2 - the midfield leader.

Last year’s team, now broken up, would beat the current team.

Ian Nisbeck

Lack of ambition from the owners in the transfer window.

I believe they were satisfied with our position we were in and didn’t replace Danny Rose.

I just hope this downward spiral can be reversed.

I fear that even if we avoid relegation we could carry this form into next season.

Antony Davies

Terrible transfer policy and awful window in January.

Releasing players for free and not replacing them while getting loan players in positions we didn't need.

Barrie Jenkins

It’s not solely the defence, you (Jackett) failed to fix or at least address the problem in January, it’s about time you and your staff took a long hard look in the mirror.

Jo Trueman

We have no midfield - that's where the problem is.

Jake Meyers

A severe lack of investment and ambition during the January transfer window?

Michael Swain

Losing danny rose and not replacing him.

David Corps

If we had a stronger midfield we'd have fewer defensive mistakes.

Lorraine Wells

We weren't right in midfield all season until he put Danny Rose in, then when we lost him it became a lot worse.

Kenny's failure to sign someone in transfer window has cost us, probably a play-off place

Simon Brown ·

We are looking brittle at the back and conceding so many goals because our midfeild is lightweight and inexperienced, until this is resolved hopefully in the summer it will continue.. PUP

Carl Carter ·

at least it isn't just me thinking about how much January was a joke... tbh when that window shut so did our season.

No midfield you can't win a football match.. average teams have dominated us because of the midfield.

Shame really as we could of had a good season. I do think we will win a few more to stay up.

Kevin Manning

I said, at the end of the transfer window, that the Board had let KJ down by not bringing in reinforcements for central midfield.

It had to be the number one priority on the first day of the window but we were left chasing an unavailable player on a fruitless last day.

If we had sufficient cover I’m sure Close would be given a rest for a game or two as this is his first season as a first team regular.

This isn’t possible given the current plight.

Yes, we have been unlucky with injuries but a business needs to have the ability to respond to an emergency… PFC didn’t.

I’m concerned we are losing the momentum that was generated throughout 2017. I hope the Board learn a lesson from this.