Ian Darke: Eisners must spend in January with Portsmouth expectations higher
Portsmouth expectations are now higher after the Eisners initially thought they had bought a club like Port Vale, Ian Darke has said.
The TV commentator admitted the ownership underestimated the size and history of the club punching below their weight when they first arrived.
Speaking exclusively to Pompey News, Darke hailed the Eisners for adapting to the Blues’ standing in English football, conceding they must still supply John Mousinho with the transfer resources he needs to remain in the Championship.
“I think when they first got the club if I’m being honest, they thought they’d bought something like Port Vale, not Portsmouth,” he quipped.
“They seemed quite content to plod along in League One without much investment to change the mood music around the club. I have thought in more recent times that they do get it – this is a once-big club who have won league titles and FA Cups, and the expectations are higher.
“You look at it now and you hope they’ll put their hands in their pockets and give John Mousinho what he wants to maintain a hard-earned Championship status.”
Portsmouth navigating January transfer window
Portsmouth brought in 14 senior players in the summer in a bid to strengthen the squad, albeit still not breaking the £5million barrier for funds spent.
The Eisners invested heavily into the infrastructure at both Fratton Park and Copnor Road, but have struggled to provide Mousinho and Rich Hughes with Championship-standard funding to operate.
Pompey have looked astute in the January loan market, bringing in Rob Atkinson and Isaac Hayden so far, while Elias Sorensen has been sold for a similar £300,000 fee spent to sign him from Norwegian side Valerenga.
In other Portsmouth news, Atkinson can bring a new dynamic to an ailing Blues defence.
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