New rules curb recruitment
Jackett admits substitute limit is putting brake on January drive for new blood, but insists tide will turn in search for players
KENNY Jackett admitted Pompey’s January recruitment is being hindered by football’s rule changes.
The Blues boss explained the market for bringing in Championship players is being stifled by the increase to nine substitutes allowed at second-tier level this season.
But Jackett is adamant there will still be opportunities to bring in players on loan from a higher level over the second half of the transfer window.
Pompey are pushing on with their recruitment after tying down Jordy Hiwula’s future, with a new left-back and a forward-thinking midfielder required.
Historically, the Championship has been fertile ground for recruitment with Millwall’s Ben Thompson the most notable example of a player dropping down a level and making a big impact in recent years.
Jackett noted how that and the £2.5m wage ceiling clubs are working to under the new salary cap rules is having an impact on trying to do business.
But he sees a situation developing this month where Championship clubs will have to do business.
Jackett said: ‘I think it does (make things tougher). There’s obviously more of a squad needed in the Championship now.
‘There’s players who have been left out with Covid and the salary cap as well, which limits how much of their wages you can contribute if you’re looking to take them on loan.
‘I do think all of those things will change what happens in the business between Championship and League One.
‘The nine substitutes does change it, it changes it a lot in terms of squad planning for Championship clubs.
‘Keeping a big squad happy, even with nine subs, will not necessarily be easy, though.
‘So I think that in the second half of the window, say from January 15 onwards, loans will be available in that period.’
Jackett sees players searching for game time as a significant factor in the market for Championship loan signings opening up, in the three-anda-half weeks remaining of the January window.
Even with bigger squads required at a higher level, the Pompey boss feels the need to develop talent will become significant before the end of the month - even if League One clubs can’t contribute as much in wages now.
He added: ‘I don’t think the wage cap is problematic, but it will limit how much clubs can pay people coming down from the Championship.
‘But then they would want to be playing and regular football is regular football. That sort of negates that one,
‘We still hope that during the course of January some players will become available - and I think they will.
‘That will be the case because for the big clubs they will need some chances and opportunities for other players pushing through.
‘They have to think what’s the prospects at that club and how long can they wait through not playing? They will be the questions they’ll be asking.
‘So from a club’s point of view they’ll need a bit of a bigger squad, but opportunities for younger players in those higher numbers (in their squads) and the players wanting to drop down will also be considered.’