By kickspoll Portsmouth FC is satisfied with its summer transfer activities as the club prepares for the Championship. Sporting director Rich Hughes acknowledged that “ruthless” decisions were necessary regarding John Mousinho’s squad after winning the League One title.
This summer was marked by significant recruitment at PO4, with 15 players joining and 17 departing the club. This included central figures from last season, such as Sean Raggett, Joe Rafferty, and Joe Morrell.
Hughes admitted that making these decisions was not easy but essential as Pompey adapts to the demanding Championship environment.
A debate among supporters has arisen regarding whether this season’s squad is stronger than the one that lifted the League One title. Hughes expressed confidence in the current squad’s potential.
Speaking at the recent Tony Goodall Fans’ Conference, Hughes stated, “We had to make some tough decisions at the end of last season, allowing some players to leave who had served us well. That was hard to do, but the Championship is a tough, physical league, and we had to be ruthless.
“We’ve brought in 15 players, lowered the average age of the group, reduced the number of loan signings, spent transfer fees, and expanded our search to bring in exciting talents.
“The situation with Colby changed the dynamics of the transfer window for us. We had prepared for various scenarios, but losing a player in those circumstances altered our plans significantly. Overall, we’re pleased— we believe we’re stronger, younger, and own a greater percentage of our squad, and we feel positive about moving forward.”