'Realistic' options identified as Portsmouth step up summer recruitment

The Blues’ recruitment drive for next season is well under way, with Kenny Jackett selecting areas of his squad he believes will need strengthening.

During the suspension of the campaign amid the coronavirus crisis, the Pompey boss' backroom staff have been using their time to scout out potential fresh faces.

Gallen is a key part of that process, having already revealed he's been scouring the Championship free-agent market.

The assistant boss is also running the rule over players who have impressed when coming up against Pompey in the past.

And Gallen believes those who’ve been picked out have good chances of completing switches to the south coast in the future.

He said: ‘Where we start is that we have areas of the team that we'd like to improve and areas where there are players out of contract, as well.

‘We're just planning ahead then. We have some realistic options that are ready to come in and enhance our team and in the positions we are looking for.

‘We are looking to pick up players of that calibre, which you can do but you have really got to scroll through it and know your stuff to pick up the right ones.

‘For us, we always have a meeting during the week about the previous game.

‘We talk about the other team a bit and discuss the players that we think would improve our team.

‘Mentally, I've always got some names of players in my head that I think "he's played well against us and keeps playing well against us".

'You then watch him play against other teams so you always have an idea of players who you'd like to be playing for your team.’

Gallen told how he then divulges into stats of potential targets by using stats-based websites such as Wyscout.

And along with speaking to former managers, it allows Pompey to get a wider impression of whether they want to pursue a deal.

Gallen added: ‘You back it up with stats, observe a little bit more and then talk to previous managers and coaches about the player.

‘You start to build up a picture of that person and whether they will suit you.’