Why Portsmouth got 'better loan deal' than Oxford following transfer window chasing Spurs and Swansea youngsters

The Blues were linked with Swansea striker Kyle Joseph in the last transfer window after he was given the green light to depart on loan by Swans boss Russell Martin.

The 21-year-old was one of a number of forwards on the head coach’s radar as Cowley tried to bolster his attacking options.

Instead, though, Pompey opted to pursue moves for Colby Bishop, Dane Scarlett and Joe Pigott, with Joseph making the temporary switch to Oxford.

Since his arrival at the Kassam Stadium, the former Wigan man has netted four goals in 11 League One outings, with the majority of his game time coming on the right-wing.

But all has not gone to plan according to U’s fan and Young Fan Podcast presenter Jack Ward, who believes the Blues have got a better deal in Scarlett.

Here’s what he had to say when asked about Joseph on Fournilwrittenalloverit’s Sunday Live show on Youtube.

‘I’ll put it politely, I think Pompey have got the better loan deal with Dane Scarlett,’ said Ward.

‘One thing I’ll say about Kyle Joseph is that he works hard and gives everything for the team.

‘He does work hard and he hasn’t got a bad finish on him. I’ll give him a little bit more credit, he has been played out of position, he’s not been playing as a centre-forward.

‘I do think he will be played as a striker because we haven’t got Matty Taylor on Tuesday at Fratton Park.

‘One thing he will do is he will press, make a nuisance of himself and is a very physical player.

‘However, his balance, his first touch and general control as a striker isn’t quite there.

‘We tried to play him in central midfield a couple of weeks ago and that was one of the worst decisions that a manager has made that I’ve seen at Oxford United.

‘To play somebody who hasn’t got the greatest first touch, isn’t a great passer of the ball and play him in the centre of midfield was absolutely terrible and a scream of desperation.

‘I do think Pompey got the better loan deal with Scarlett, he’s lively and I imagine he’ll cause Oxford trouble on Tuesday.’