Why Portsmouth fans are being left waiting as rivals bolster squads for new season

And it appears those fans thirsting for some Fratton done deals may be twiddling their fingers for a little bit longer yet.

All around League One transfers are being completed - and at a frenetic rate at some of the Blues’ rivals.

New boys Plymouth have so far brought in four new faces, while AFC Wimbledon yesterday took their total to five additions with attacking midfielder Ethan Chislett coming in from non league Aldershot - the same amount of recruiting as Gillingham.

Blackpool have managed to outdo their busy business with six done deals, with Bristol Rovers boss Ben Garner so far completing seven signings.

Meanwhile down in League Two, Bolton leave even those healthy numbers well and truly in the shade with a whopping 14 signings this summer

So why are we being left waiting, as Pompey’s’ rivals stockpile their additions ahead of the new League One season starting on September 12?

The answer essentially comes in the way the club are doing their business this summer, in the wake of the implementation of the League One wage cap and squad restrictions.

Mark Catlin has given his explanation of the thinking behind Pompey not going hell for leather to go beyond the additions of Sean Raggett and Lee Brown to Kenny Jackett’s ranks, before the immediate implementation of the £2.5m ceiling in League One after last Friday’s landmark vote.

Now, though, it’s nearly a week on and with each completed transfer at third-tier level, the chuntering over the lack of players holding scarves aloft in front of the Fratton End rises.

Pompey, however, already have a squad of 19 players over the age of 21, with 22 players allowed over that age in a squad (you can have unlimited players under the threshold).

That leaves three spaces available, which Catlin has already underlined is likely to be filled with temporary additions.

And it’s the policy of working the loan market to get best value which explains the current quiet.

The Blues have irons in the fire with a host of Championship and Premier League clubs for the men Jackett and his recruitment team have targeted.

But the message his team are hearing back when the question is asked about bringing in these players, is managers and coaches want to assess their options for the new term before making a decision.

With some top-flight clubs not yet even finishing their obligations to the 2019-20 season it makes it hard to undertake that process.

Some sides at the highest level are reporting back next week, with their under-23 squads coming back around about now. Meanwhile, in the Championship players have been filtering back in for duty at different stages this week.

That leaves Pompey playing a waiting game until they get the green light to get some more business over the line, although, as Catlin, highlighted, it now only takes a call for that scenario to change.

The reality is not many of the deals completed throughout League One this summer would’ve created a great deal of excitement, if they had a royal blue shirt on their back instead.

But it looks like there may be a few more envious glances cast at players being paraded before we see the same at PO4.

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