Portsmouth in development stage as Blues refuse to cap ambitions

The need for a development squad at Fratton Park is a subject matter that has already been touched upon this summer.
From left, Pompey manager Kenny Jackett, Blues chairman Michael Eisner, and club CEO Mark CatlinFrom left, Pompey manager Kenny Jackett, Blues chairman Michael Eisner, and club CEO Mark Catlin
From left, Pompey manager Kenny Jackett, Blues chairman Michael Eisner, and club CEO Mark Catlin

Back in June, Pompey chief executive Mark Catlin told The News that plans were in place for it’s launch.

A fully-funded conduit between the academy and first team was to be introduced as part of chairman Michael Eisner’s vision to develop young talent, we were told.

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The message was reinforced in the Blues CEO’s Q&A on the club’s website earlier this month, with Catlin saying: ‘If you're thinking mid to long-term, what we do need to really focus our attention on is how we can get the extra money that we are generating into an area of the club that will give us the benefit on the pitch.’

It’s clearly a route the club are intent on going down, especially with the introduction of a pithy £2.5m annual salary cap on clubs operating at League One level.

And the longer this transfer window progresses without a senior, notable addition to Kenny Jacket’s first-team ranks, the more obvious Pompey’s intentions on the matter become.

Frustration amongst fans has grown by the day, if not by the hour, as the Blues rivals’ go about their business as if last month’s vote on a wage ceiling had been forgotten about.

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While the likes of Hull making clear they intend to make their return to the third tier a temporary one with some of their new arrivals, or Blackpool looking to add signing number 10, 11 – to be honest, I’ve lost count now – to their ranks, Pompey remain apparent bystanders.

Sean Raggett represents their only addition since last term’s promotion bid turned sour at the play-off stage.

But even his arrival is offset by the fact he’s not exactly a new boy, having spent last season on loan at Fratton Park.

It has, of course, been well documented that Pompey are now turning their attentions to the loan market in a bid to mount a promotion challenge this time around.

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Hot shots from the Premier League and/or Championship form part of the plan as the club looks to fill the three remaining spots left in a squad now limited to 22 players.

It’s an understandable ploy given the riches that are out reportedly there – with the Blues in a prime position to swoop.

It also appears a sensible position to adopt given restrictions imposed on clubs like Pompey by their now empowered rivals suddenly with more clout than they ever imagined.

But there’s many among the Fratton faithful who beg to differ as they struggle to raise hope for another season.

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They want signings to excite them. a transfer policy that will once and for all end Pompey’s stay at this level, a spree that will not only make their rivals stand up and take notice – but run away in fear,

However, without wanting to disappoint these fans further, such dreams aren’t about to become reality.

Pompey are clearly sticking by their guns and adopting a developmental approach which they appear to have full faith in as a long-term project.

It might take longer to reach the Championship as a result – something that will stretch patience levels to breaking point.

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It might also come across as defeatist, certainly in the current climate, when there’s a real desire to get out of this division.

But Pompey have reluctantly been forced into a corner that requires focused navigation in order to escape.

A new course has been set, a revised transfer policy identified, the need to think carefully about what’s coming through the ranks has been earmarked.

New arrivals are on the way, it’s guaranteed.

It’s just those with an eye to the future might outweigh new additions for the here and now – including any rising star from the top flight.

The Blues’ current spending powers might have been capped.

But there’s no ceiling on their long-term ambitions.

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