Rich Hughes echoes Portsmouth transfer plan from Eric Eisner, ‘bit of a different strategy’
Rich Hughes and Eric Eisner have hinted towards a “different strategy” in the transfer market to prevent a torrid season for Portsmouth.
Pressure has built towards the club following a poor start to life back in the Championship, with Pompey rock-bottom with just one win from 14 games despite a major squad overhaul throughout the summer.
Hughes was present at the Pompey Supporters’ Trust [PST] AGM at Fratton Park on Wednesday night, during which a video message was played from the younger Eisner on player recruitment.
As reported by The News [7 November], Eisner claimed a “little bit of a different strategy” would be employed which would rely on the loan market, appearing at first earshot to contradict what Andy Cullen had previously assured fans about funds being invested on permanent transfers.
Hughes built on the point, clarifying to supporters: “We won’t only be dealing in loans, not at all. This strategy is going to be what best fits and what’s best available to us.
“The point Eric was trying to make is we have the availability and option to bring in loans if we think that’s the best thing to do. I think they will make the funds available to us to try to strengthen the group, as they did last January.
“I’m always expecting a busy January by the very nature of it. There’s a lot of work that has to go on before things can actually happen. It’s a very difficult window.”
January likely to dictate the fate of Portsmouth
As long as Portsmouth keep pace and do not flag further in the Championship survival battle between now and the turn of the year, January will be vital.
The business clubs are able to complete during the winter window is often paramount to their fate come the end of the season.
Pompey know there is plenty to be done. No fewer than 14 senior players were brought in over the summer to hugely varying effect – many of them signed as long-term projects which are unfortunately obsolete for the task at hand.
This is where Eisner’s point becomes pertinent – the loan market would involve bringing in ready-made players to help the Blues stay afloat, which in turn will help the club invest moving forward to improve the squad.
That is far from to say the club will not dig the wallet out when the opportunity arises, although many felt this should have been the approach from the start.
In other Portsmouth news, Matt Ritchie uses his experience to give a brutal assessment of the season.
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