Rich Hughes and John Mousinho are challenged to bolster a side which tops League One heading into the New Year, yet since 2017-18 it has often proven a frustrating window.
There have been some excellent signings, some awful ones and others simply bang average. So here’s a look at 16 of them from the previous six Januarys in League One...
![Identified as one for the future, Reeco Hackett was signed from non-league Bromley in January 2020. After a debut against Walsall in the EFL Trophy shortly afterwards, he failed to make another appearance in a 2019-20 season curtailed by Covid. From that point he was loaned out to Bromley and Southend as the winger struggled to establish himself at Fratton Park amid frequent injuries. John Mousinho was the third Blues manager he failed to convince and Hackett was sold to Lincoln in June 2023 after 79 games and 11 goals.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjczZGNkYTlkLWI2ODMtNGEzYi1hYmQxLWUyNzRhY2ZkZmJlZDpiZWQ5NjY1MC1mZWRjLTQ5OGEtYjNjNS0wNjk1NTU2NmZkYjI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
13. Reeco Hackett - January 2020
Identified as one for the future, Reeco Hackett was signed from non-league Bromley in January 2020. After a debut against Walsall in the EFL Trophy shortly afterwards, he failed to make another appearance in a 2019-20 season curtailed by Covid. From that point he was loaned out to Bromley and Southend as the winger struggled to establish himself at Fratton Park amid frequent injuries. John Mousinho was the third Blues manager he failed to convince and Hackett was sold to Lincoln in June 2023 after 79 games and 11 goals. Photo: Graham Hunt
![The former Bournemouth favourite turned down a new deal at Shrewsbury to make the switch to Fratton Park in January 2021. Much was anticipated from the left-back, who the previous season had featured in the Premier League, but he proved to be a crushing disappointment for the Blues. After an initial five-game run in the starting XI, a below-par Daniels was in and out of the side for the remainder of the campaign, before kept on the subs bench for the final four fixtures. After 18 appearances and one goal, was unsurprisingly released on a free by Danny Cowley in the summer of 2021.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmYxZjIyYzg1LTczN2ItNGFhZi05NTY2LTllZmNhZTIwN2IzYzpjMTI2NWYxMC02NzFhLTRkYTctOTAxMy0wYjkyNjBmMzI1M2I=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
14. Charlie Daniels - January 2021
The former Bournemouth favourite turned down a new deal at Shrewsbury to make the switch to Fratton Park in January 2021. Much was anticipated from the left-back, who the previous season had featured in the Premier League, but he proved to be a crushing disappointment for the Blues. After an initial five-game run in the starting XI, a below-par Daniels was in and out of the side for the remainder of the campaign, before kept on the subs bench for the final four fixtures. After 18 appearances and one goal, was unsurprisingly released on a free by Danny Cowley in the summer of 2021. Photo: Joe Pepler
![Pompey signed the reigning EFL League One Young Player Of The Year late in January 2023 for an undisclosed fee. Lane's confidence had taken a battering at Fleetwood under boss Scott Brown during the following campaign and the youngster was eager for a fresh start - with the Cod Army open to selling him. It took a little while to find his feet with the Blues, but he finished the 2022-23 season in encouraging form. Now one of the best performers for the League One leaders, he has totalled seven goals in 39 outings.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmZhOTE1YjMwLTJiY2YtNDZkOS1iOTFlLWQ0NmUxZGJhMmRlNTo3ODgxNmJjOC01ODUzLTRjNDAtODY5NC04Y2JmZjczY2VkNjM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
15. Paddy Lane - January 2023
Pompey signed the reigning EFL League One Young Player Of The Year late in January 2023 for an undisclosed fee. Lane's confidence had taken a battering at Fleetwood under boss Scott Brown during the following campaign and the youngster was eager for a fresh start - with the Cod Army open to selling him. It took a little while to find his feet with the Blues, but he finished the 2022-23 season in encouraging form. Now one of the best performers for the League One leaders, he has totalled seven goals in 39 outings. Photo: Jason Brown
![The Manchester United defender was initially used at right-back by John Mousinho, yet following two appearances had to remain patient as opportunities frustratingly eluded him. It wouldn't be until the final four matches of the season before he was finally handed a run in the side, this time in the centre of defence, with Pompey's head coach selecting him ahead of Sean Raggett. That late flurry proved extremely impressive, convincing the Blues - and supporters - to pursue Bernard in the summer after released by Manchester United. Yet instead he opted to move to Championship Sheffield Wednesday.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjg5MGY1MTE4LTA5YjctNGQxYi05OTMyLTlhODU4NzQ5MWUwZjo2YTI2MDA0Yi1iZDY4LTQwMDYtYmNjNi04NWRlZTUyMWYyNTg=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
16. Di'Shon Bernard - January 2023
The Manchester United defender was initially used at right-back by John Mousinho, yet following two appearances had to remain patient as opportunities frustratingly eluded him. It wouldn't be until the final four matches of the season before he was finally handed a run in the side, this time in the centre of defence, with Pompey's head coach selecting him ahead of Sean Raggett. That late flurry proved extremely impressive, convincing the Blues - and supporters - to pursue Bernard in the summer after released by Manchester United. Yet instead he opted to move to Championship Sheffield Wednesday. Photo: Jason Brown