DETAILED: How the transfer picture pans out from here for Portsmouth

Then came the tantalising glimpse of the deals dangled in front of deal-hungry fans, before seemingly being wrenched from their grasp.

That inevitably has brought the ambient temperature down just a little, amid some chilly outbursts from those who had their hopes lifted by names to quicken their pulse as we enjoy some late-season warmth.

We’ll see how that pans out, but there’s been enough happening on and off the pitch over the past week or so to offer the crumbs of encouragement we all need at the dawn of a new league season.

Intriguingly, there’s also been plenty to indicate how things are likely to play out between now and October 16, when time is called to this most lop-sided of summer windows.

The sight of Sammie Szmodics being paraded as a permanent addition to the ranks of promotion rivals Peterborough was a sore one to swallow on Tuesday, so soon after fans were put on to the scent of a potential Pompey deal which was, in all likelihood, dead in the water by the time word of it emerged.

Hot on the heels of that news was the Blues’ pursuit of Harry Souttar; a move emerging at the same time it was becoming clear he may be nearer to Stoke’s starting XI than he needs to be to oil the wheels of a loan switch.

So, seemingly, a double body blow so soon as there appeared to be real impetus to how the squad was shaping up.

It’s perhaps easy to forget, however, in these unprecedented times there’s still over five weeks in which Pompey can do their business.

Likewise, it’s a simple oversight to not realise the financial benefits of holding on to do those deals when operating under the restraints of a wage cap, albeit one which has to be weighed up against having players in situ.

We’ll return to that issue, but for now Kenny Jackett is looking at two slots to fill for players over the age of 21, with young keeper Duncan Turnbill expected to depart on loan and Haji Mnoga still a teenager.

The additions of a pair of promising new faces over the past nine days has tightened things up for a squad which already had 20 players contracted for the new term, negating the need for the overhauls we’ve seen at places like Blackpool, Bristol Rovers and GIllingham.

The loan of a player operating in League Two last season in Cameron Pring, may not have immediately satiated the appetites of supporters hungry for familiar names.

But then emerged the agreeable noises from the midlands where he plied his trade with Walsall, along with a degree of surprise he wasn’t seen as ready to play a level higher.

If that wasn’t enough, the numbers game provided reassuring support for those initial words of encouragement.

The analysts point to a hunger to attack which averages 5.4 dribbles per game; numbers which leave his rival Lee Brown and even the much-mourned Steve Seddon in the shade.

While it took some due diligence to uncover that detail, there was less homework needed to know the permanent signing of Callum Johnson should be appreciated as a sound piece of business.

Johnson is viewed as one of the fastest-emerging right-backs in League One, and has been coveted by the likes of Championship Preston in the recent past.

The 23-year-old has been a fixture in The News’ own research features, highlighting the most promising players around in his position for over a year now.

His ability to come out on top in defensive duels was unsurpassed in the third tier, according to stats website Wyscout in the 2018-19 season, with his numbers ranking him second in that category last term.

The sight of the pair lining up in a back four who took a substantial step forward from the first-half defensive debacle as Stevenage was also encouraging, both from a defensive point of view and the standpoint of the forward-thinking intent they offered.

There’s no urgency now from Jackett and Pompey to fill the final berths available to him. That's been questioned in some quarters, but seems a logical enough policy given he now possesses cover in all positions.

The idea remains to bring in a left-footed defender, which could conceivably enable Sean Raggett to move to the right side of central pairing.

Then there’s the attacking midfelder still craved with Pompey ostensibly light of a specialist in that area, and then, potentially, a young, quick forward under the age threshold of 21 and consequently not counting towards the squad ceiling.

Jackett still possesses the flexibility to cover the wages of a player from the Championship within the £2.5m limit he must operate under. However, it’s worth noting the longer it’s left to do that deal the more they can offer per week under the annualised cap.

So it points towards a wait to finish business, with Blues boss mindful to keep a slot open to give flexibility should any significant early-season injuries surface.

That could change quickly, however, and here’s why.

The shrewd observers will be keeping a very close eye on Championship squads this weekend, to see who’s in and out as the campaign gets underway.

The picture is certain to crystallise over the coming weeks on that front, with those finding minutes hard to come by falling into the transfer sweet spot for Pompey.

It remains to be seen if Souttar - a man who stood head and shoulders above the rest defensively in League One in every sense last season - will fall into that category.

But supporters can be hopeful when their club do make those final swoops, they are for additions of the level to really make a difference - just like Szmodics would’ve and the Stoke man could yet.

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