Portsmouth boss eyes crucial transfer window finale

The Blues boss reckons completing his squad shaping over the next eight days will prove crucial in gaining the edge to his options he feels he needs.

Jackett is looking to land a player or two over the coming days '“ with Ben Thompson his latest arrival as he looks for his team to solidify their flying early-season form.

He said: '˜If we can (still recruit) it's a big deadline. The main recruitment time is the summer. Clubs can't afford to have a bad summer.

'˜It's tough to do something about it until the next summer. There's no more loans and then your squad is your squad. So it is a big deadline.

'˜It is for everybody but it definitely is for us '“ both in and out. Definitely.

'˜If between now and then we can improve we will. Similarly, though, we won't weaken it.

'˜I feel we have a better balance and better options to our squad. It has to feel that it's improving for Portsmouth, that's the main thing.

'˜There is no doubt about it, though '“ a final tweak or two for us could be key.

'˜We know that and we are aware of that but similarly we won't do it for the sake it.

'˜It is a big deadline for everybody and for us as well, there's no doubt about that.

'˜If you can find an extra edge in that time or improve and bring in cover in an area you haven't got it, or just out-and-out better players and ability, it's important.

'˜It's a big deadline for all of the clubs and everyone will be looking to maximise it because you go through to January 1.'

Jackett underlined the importance of getting the right players to improve his squad, with Pompey's bench in the past two games evidence of how his options are developing.

He added: '˜You can always sign players. It's not hard to sign players. But signing good players or signing the right players (is the key).

'˜You need the right players, the right balance, the right team spirit and the right focus.

'˜That's really important. You are always looking at that, the dynamics of the group and the dynamics of a team sport.

'˜For us, anyway, if we can strengthen we will. But we don't think we're in a position to have to do anything.

'˜If you look at our bench it's getting stronger. We feel we're getting stronger. Stronger, more balanced and more competition is where you have to get to.'