Portsmouth boss’ big striker transfer hint with transfer action ready to hot up
The Pompey boss last month indicated a new striker wasn’t a major January transfer window focus - but his position on the issues appears to be shifting.
John Mousinho has dropped a clear indication Pompey will look to sign a striker in the January transfer window.
And the Blues boss has made it clear this season’s Championship dogfight is not the environment to focus on developing emerging talent.
Pompey boss’ striker transfer stance appears to be shifting
Mousinho has stated up to six new signings are needed before the close of the window on February 1, a number forwarded before Franco Umeh and Harvey Blair were added to the injury list against Arsenal.
The head coach indicated last month a new striker was not a ‘priority’ in the winter window, despite Colby Bishop struggling for form this season and Thomas Waddingham being out injured long term.
New boy Makenzie Kirk started two games over the Christmas period with Bishop sidelined with an ankle injury, to take his total appearances to 11 since joining from St Johnstone last summer.
The 21-year-old remains a relative novice at Championship level, which is a consideration for Mousinho when assessing the pathway forward in that area of the pitch.
He said: ‘It’s a tough one with Mack (Kirk). Prior to him starting for us he’d had no league starts in this country, now he’s got four Championship starts behind him.
‘It’s brilliant to bed those players in, and get through that period with some of the issues we’ve had.
‘Harvey (Blair) and Franco (Umeh) have had five league starts between them, Minhyeok had eight when he came here. So actually some of those young lads have done remarkably well.
Mousinho: League focus ‘is all we can think about.’
‘In that centre-forward department with Colby being out for a couple of weeks, Mack’s taken up the centre-forward reins and done well.
‘It’s great that we had Colby back, but Tom’s out until probably mid-February. So we’ll monitor that situation now and see how it is.
‘We anticipated Mack coming in and having an effect which he’s done. But we probably didn’t think we’d have to reel him out as that front-liner for the number of games he’s had, but he’s done that and had a really good impact.
‘All we have to do now is focus on the league. Development of players is important, but regardless of how many players we have in the building the best ones will play, the best ones who can affect the side will play - that’s all we can think about.’