Ex-Portsmouth man David Norris gives inside view of transfer window experience
Former Portsmouth man David Norris has revealed how a transfer window is for a team and a player, and says the club can now move forward.
Pompey were busy during the window as a host of new recruits arrived at Fratton Park, ranging from young unproven prospects to experienced player reunions.
The ex-Blues midfielder spoke out on how teams and individuals deal with a transfer window when their teammates’ futures are uncertain, and says the deadline now means the squad can focus and drive on.
“As a teammate, when your best players are getting linked away, it’s a relief when you can think ‘that’s that done’ when the deadline comes around,” Norris exclusively told Pompey News.
“Pompey can move forward now and settle with the squad they’ve got. I know it’s a big squad they have, but there have been some injuries.
“As a player, it’s a lot to deal with – especially if you’re one of the players concerned if there are transfer talks ongoing in a rush for the deadline.”
Portsmouth looking to settle 31-man squad
Following the conclusion of the summer window, Portsmouth have the largest first-team squad in the Championship.
Nevertheless, youngsters such as 17-year-old scholar Harry Clout have been drafted into the senior fold due to extensive injury concerns as several new signings are yet to debut for the club.
If and when the majority of the squad are fit, John Mousinho has a man-management task of epic proportions on his hands, which could be his biggest coaching test yet.
Mousinho has already had to cull some senior players from his 25-man league squad, including midfielder Ben Stevenson, who has even already played in the league this season and now cannot feature again until January at the earliest.
The upshot is, however, that now each and every player will hopefully know where they stand, and the team can move forward with the common focus of sustaining a decent run of Championship form for consolidation ahead of next year.
In other Portsmouth news, Mousinho should hand one player a chance against West Brom.
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