The Pompey debacle at Bristol City reinforced Pompey’s need to have an impactful January transfer window.
With their Championship status once again falling under serious scrutiny following their 5-0 hammering at Ashton Gate, it’s become clearer than ever reinforcements are needed ASAP.
The Blues don’t have the strengthen and depth to cope or compete when injuries take their toll. And with eight players missing for the New Year’s Day trip west, pre-match fears among the Fratton faithful before that Bristol City encounter were played out in front of them as reality hit home.
Head coach John Mousinho probably, secretly, shared those concerns. After all, you don’t target up to six new players in January if you are happy with your lot.
But in order to do so, the Blues will have to trim their ranks before welcoming such a number through their doors.
That means some tough, or easy conversations - depending on your way of thinking - need to be had over the coming days and weeks.
But there’s no denying there’s quite a few players whose Fratton Park futures will be under threat as Pompey look to find the personnel that will help them improve their current predicament.
Here’s eight current first-team members who could well find themselves playing elsewhere come the end of the transafer window.
For your next Pompey read: 'That comes after Sunday' - Ipswich to consider recall for Portsmouth loanee Conor Chaplin
1. Jordan Archer
The 32-year-old keeper has featured just three times for Pompey following his free transfer move in the summer of 2024. Last summer's arrival of Josef Bursik, along with the fresh contract handed to Ben Killip, meant the former Millwall stopper was pushed down to fourth choice and not even included in the Blues' 25-man squad for the first half of the season. The News has already revealed this month that Archer heads the list of potential exits away from the club in January. | National World Photo: Jason Brown
2. Makenzie Kirk
At this moment in the January transfer window, Pompey need to reinforce their striking options, not deplete them. When, as expected they do, though, there's an argument that the inexperienced Kirk would benefit from a loan away in order to bridge the gap from the Scottish Championship where he was previously operating to the English equivalent. That viewpoint has been reinforced in recent weeks as he struggles to adapt to the physicality of the division when stading in for the injured Colby Bishop. Thomas Waddingham's return from injury will also likely push Kirk down the pecking order. Photo: Graham Hunt
3. Florian Bianchini
It's fair to say the on-loan Swansea forward hasn't set the world alight at Fratton Park. His 11 appearances to date have produced just one assist as he's proven to be a major letdown. The Frenchman has missed Pompey's past seven games because of a knee injury. But even when fit, he remained an unused substitute against Bristol City on November 29 when the Blues were in desperate need of an equaliser. Just like Middlesbrough loanee Sammy Silvera last season, it would come as no surprise to see Bianchini return to Swansea as Pompey attempt a reshuffle of their current ranks in order to secure their Championship survival for another season. | Iconic Media Photo: Alun Roberts
4. Luke Le Roux
The South African's Fratton Park stint could prove to be a shortllived affair. The midfielder has been used only eight times in the league so far and appears to be a last-resort option when he is called upon. He started the game against Bristol City with Pompey without Marlon Pack and Mark Kosznovszky. But just like his last start against Hull on November 11, Le Roux was hauled off at half-time. He played no part in the nine Pompey games played in between and is surely at risk of the axe as Pompey desperately need to improve their midfield options. | Graham Hunt/ProSportsImages