We're all desperate for a Portsmouth signing - but patience for right players is imperative

Something to get our teeth into, to debate where the player could feature, who could be replaced and how much they might impact the Blues' promotion bid.

It's quite the opposite at the minute, however. As things stand, Pompey's transfer business remains low key.

Kenny Jackett admitted after the 2-0 friendly win over Norwich under-23s that nothing's close and it appears to remain that way.

The 'sign someone' tweets will continue to pester the club's Twitter account for the foreseeable future.

Every team would ideally like their recruitment completed before the start of the season to give arrivals several weeks to gel with new team-mates.

But in a salary cap and Covid-19 impacted transfer window, things are now different.

And to get the right players, patience has to be a virtue.

Pompey only have three berths for players above the age of 21 in their squad remaining due to wage ceiling restrictions.

The trio that fill those spots simply can't be squad players coming in to primarily add depth anymore.

The Blues can no longer afford the luxury of signings like Joe Mason, David Wheeler or Lloyd Isgrove who chiefly were signed to provide cover in the past.

Kenny Jackett and his backroom team need to be convinced recruits will play a substantial role in a renewed League One promotion push.

So far, the players identified, on paper, would all bolster Pompey's chances of reaching the Championship.

Blackburn's Charlie Mulgrew would be a proverbial Rolls Royce in the third tier. Leicester's Josh Knight's already proven himself at this level with Peterborough. Leif Davis is highly regarded by one of the best managers in the world in Marco Bielsa at Leeds.

And those are just the ones we know about. There'll be plenty more on the lengthy shopping list the Blues draw up ahead of each window.

Players are assessing the options at present, however.

For example, Knight ideally wants a Championship move, while Davis is coveted by Stoke and might be tempted to go to the second tier.

Yes, there gets to a point where you can no longer wait for players and clubs to make their decisions. A deadline has to be set before moving on and looking elsewhere.

But with the window not slamming shut until October 16 – some eight weeks away – there's scarcely a reason to panic just yet.

Why would Pompey go out and get a centre-back who's fifth on their wish list rather than wait a few more weeks to potentially capture their top target?

The Blues do need to strengthen if they're to go up after losing the likes of Christian Burgess, Cameron McGeehan and Oli Hawkins.

It’s not just the fans that it helps invigorate but the players also relish a new team-mate arriving.

But Pompey already have a core of players who did mould together after a stuttering start to last season.

Only Burgess, McGeehan and Steve Seddon of those who featured in the majority of the club-record nine straight wins are no longer on the south coast.

Last summer, the Blues took far too long to build rapports after prized-assets Matt Clarke and Jamal Lowe left. The lacklustre opening meant they were always playing catch-up.

That's not a problem this time around, though. Any player that does arrive can slot in easier than 12 months ago

It does get a bit frustrating when you see the likes of Ipswich, Blackpool, Gillingham and Bristol Rovers busy in the market after finishing below Pompey in the table last term.

But assess all of the players these clubs have signed and ask yourself; how many would get into the Blues’ current starting line-up?

This Pompey squad still needs strengthening, make no bones about it. But the players recruited have to be the correct one, so sit tight.