'Championship-ready': Portsmouth boss on why changing Blues' transfer policy is vital - with new signing incoming
The Blues’ three January window captures to date have previous Championship experience and are aged 25 and above
John Mousinho believes Pompey’s new-found ‘Championship-ready’ approach to transfers is already reaping the rewards.
And he is adamant signing experienced players remains on the Blues’ agenda for the remainder of the January window.
.jpeg?trim=0,1,0,0&crop=&width=640&quality=65)
The head coach yesterday declared he was ‘pretty confident’ that Pompey would today unveil their fourth signing of the month.
They have so far recruited Millenic Alli, Ebou Adams and Keshi Anderson, all of which possess Championship know-how.
In the case of Adams and Anderson, both are aged 30 and had featured in 19 or more league games this season before their Fratton Park arrivals.
And Mousinho insists he favours signing other experienced players in a window which could decide the Blues’ Championship future.
‘It’s maybe not a direction we’ve been going in the past’
He told The News: ‘We want players in this window who can come and impact things now. Hopefully that has been abundantly clear by the fact we have so far signed two 30-year-year-olds, which I have no issue with.
‘Age is just a number, neither play like they’re towards the back end of their career, which is brilliant for us, physically they look very good.
‘It’s maybe not a direction we’ve been going in the past, but they are Championship-ready, they are here and ready to play. Age doesn’t really concern me, it’s about Championship readiness.
‘Our three signings have been excellent in very, very different ways. We’ve had Millenic coming in and starting three games, which I wouldn’t have anticipated if you had asked me before he joined.
‘Ebou’s performances speak for themselves, he has become one of those players that has every chance of becoming a fans’ favourite.
‘And I thought Keshi came on (against Southampton) and looked very sharp as well. It was a real boost on Sunday to have a winger on the bench, we actually haven’t had any availability of wingers on the bench.’
Instant impact from trio of January newcomers
Since Alli’s arrival from Luton, he has started three successive Pompey matches, lining up on the left wing and impressing with his directness.
After being eased into the action off the bench at Sheffield Wednesday, Adams has started consecutive matches and instantly caught the eye with his powerful midfield displays.
His 77th-minute equaliser against Southampton in the south-coast derby, plus the celebration which accompanied it, has inevitably also endeared him to the Fratton faithful.
While Anderson marked his Blues debut on Sunday, coming off the bench in the 71st minute for Conor Chaplin and moving to the left wing, with Alli switching to the right.
Now Pompey are pursuing other targets, including midfielder Svante Ingelsson, with a striker and centre-half also high on their wish list.
‘We are hopeful on one’
And Mousinho is hopeful a new face will be in the building ahead of Saturday’s visit of West Brom.
He added: ‘We are hopeful on one, the rest will probably have to wait until Monday.
‘I don’t know on the scale of confidence, I am pretty confident, put it that way, but if we don’t, we don’t. We’ll have players in by February 2.
‘If we do get this one done, then he will be available for Saturday.’