Ian Darke backs Portsmouth judgement on unseen transfer window signing
Portsmouth enjoyed a fruitful winter transfer window, bringing in eight signings and seeing their form improve since.
The anxiety among the supporters was rife heading into January but John Mousinho and Rich Hughes have delivered fairly well with the budget they have.
Rob Atkinson, Hayden Matthews and Isaac Hayden have been notable key players since their winter arrivals, with Adil Aouchiche anticipated to be key for Portsmouth with Callum Lang now sidelined.
Darke assured by unseen Blues arrival
One signing made during the last knockings of the winter transfer window at Portsmouth was that of Ben Killip, who joined from Barnsley on a deal until the end of the season.
The move to bring in the goalkeeper was via a permanent contract for an undisclosed sum, with Killip having been first-choice at Oakwell for much of the campaign so far.
As it stands, he is now third in line at Fratton Park and has not yet been included in a matchday squad despite being brought in for a fee, while Will Norris was allowed to terminate his contract to move freely to Wycombe Wanderers.
TV commentator and Blues fan Ian Darke is however assured about Killip, who while a seemingly low-key signing is evidently what Mousinho and Hughes feel is needed.
“I don’t know much about Killip, but you’re happy to go along with the club if that’s what they feel they need,” Darke said.
“A goalkeeper as cover is absolutely fine, and maybe we’ll see something of him at some point.”
Portsmouth hoping to move further clear
For much of the season, the general view among Portsmouth fans was that a survival battle was definitely on the cards, particularly if in January the ownership did not invest in the squad.
While no groundbreaking money was spent, Pompey appear to have made some astute acquisitions and now approach Saturday’s visit to Luton Town (1 March) nine points clear of the drop zone, having won their last three.
| Player | Portsmouth signings 2024-25 | Fee |
| Hayden Matthews | Sydney FC | £1.26m |
| Cohen Bramall | Rotherham United | Undisc. |
| Thomas Waddingham | Brisbane Roar | Undisc. |
| Ben Killip | Barnsley | Undisc. |
| Rob Atkinson | Bristol City | Loan |
| Isaac Hayden | Newcastle United | Loan |
| Kaide Gordon | Liverpool | Loan |
| Adil Aouchiche | Sunderland | Loan |
Luton, only just down from the Premier League, are now perceived as an example of what not to do to sustain a Championship place, as they prop up the league table 11 points adrift of Pompey.
After the trip to Kenilworth Road comes the biggest challenge yet to the terrific Portsmouth home form, when Leeds United visit Fratton Park (9 March).