Will White be up to scratch? Will Close stay close?
Your Pompey questions are answered in detail...
BLUE Monday turned out to be a busy Monday at Fratton Park, with Pompey completing their first signing of the January transfer window.
The Blues recruited Harvey White on loan from Tottenham of the rest of the season in a bid to bolster their League One promotion push.
That was the catalyst to allow Bryn Morris to depart, with the midfielder joining Northampton for the rest of the season.
As a result, you’ve been sending in your questions in on White, the future of Ben Close and Pompey’s search for a left-back.
Read our answers below...
Is Harvey White the midfielder we were told Pompey were after to provide quality cover for Andy Cannon and Tom Naylor? Or can we expect more news on that front? Steve Hobbs, London
A good question to kick us off, Steve.
We all know Pompey have wanted a midfielder from the day the window opened – and I’d suspect White is the man they’ve been after for a while.
Whoever was going to arrive was always going to be told they'd be coming in behind Andy Cannon and Tom Naylor initially.
The pair have been immense this season, with Kenny Jackett admitting Cannon’s one of his best players and Naylor in the form of his Blues career.
White will get minutes when either needs a breather and adds something different off the bench.
I'd say that will be Pompey done when it comes to their engine room unless there’s an injury.
As Jackett now plays with a two-man midfield, there are now four quality options, which is ample cover.
With Morris leaving, the Blues have two spaces left in their 22-man squad. One will be taken up by a left-back while there will be an additional berth.
I can’t see Jackett leaving that free unless there's no room in the budget, but he might learn towards an extra attacker.
Sounds like Ben Close should be worried by the arrival of Harvey White. His contract is up at the end of the season, is his future away from Fratton Park?
David Ramsdale, West Sussex
Ben Close always seems to be in a battle for a Pompey place - and he now seemingly finds himself further down the pecking order.
The Southsea lad appears to have dropped to fourth-choice in central midfield and awaits his first League One start for more than three months.
Close will understand football is about competition. Let’s not forget when he came into the side during Jackett’s first season, it was at the expense of fans’ favourite Danny Rose.
In terms of his future, it’d be hard to deny the academy graduate might be looking elsewhere.
Close has played only 13 times in all competitions this term and will feel he’s stagnated after making so much progress in the previous two seasons.
Pompey hold an option of an additional 12 months on his contract so, as things stand, the ball is in the club's court.
However, if he remains out of favour between now and the end of the season then it’s likely the Blues would allow Close to depart for regular minutes elsewhere.
White looks a bit of a lightweight. Will he be another Conor Ronan?
Christoper Robinson, Portsmouth
There are some obvious concerns that White might find things physically tough in League One.
Indeed, that was what Connor Ronan struggled with during his loan spell from Wolves in the 2017-18 season, despite arriving with a lofty reputation and showing glimpses of his talent.
However, there are a couple of reasons why White might cope better.
To start with, Ronan’s around 5’5’ height-wise, while White is 5’10’ so that's one advantage for the Spurs man.
What’s more, White has been training with Spurs' first team every day since the summer.
When you’re up against topclass talent on a daily basis then you’ve got to learn to use your body.
League One is a significant step-up from under-23s football and the physical demands are something he’ll have to get used to quickly.
But if you looked at players like Andy Cannon – even Ben Thompson – you might think they'd be lightweight had you not seen them play. We know that's not the case.
Let’s let our eyes do the judging.
Where's the left-back we need? Brown's injury record this season suggests back-up is needed ASAP. Can we expect a signing soon, either Seddon or Daniels?
K Smallwood, Waterlooville.
You’re right, Pompey do need a left-back to provide cover for Brown. At the moment, though, anyone will be that – cover – as Brown had another fine game at Fleetwood.
Charlie Daniels and Steve Seddon are both on the radar and there probably are a couple of others we don’t know about.
Daniels is interesting because he has now left Shrewsbury after his contract expired.
He signed a short-term deal on October 23 and was a regular following his recovering from a serious knee injury.
Joe Gallen was tightlipped on Daniels when asked about him after Tuesday’s win over Wimbledon. That perhaps is a hint itself.
Jackett remains an admirer of Seddon and seemed to be perked up when he was informed on Saturday the defender wasn’t in Birmingham’s squad for their win over Middlesbrough.
The problem is Jackett will want a recruit who he can be 100-per-cent confident can impact a promotion push when they play.
It’s not as easy as going into the supermarket and picking up something to buy.
Sometimes, you’ve got to wait for the best option to become available. There’s no point getting in someone who won’t be good enough.
I understand there is a little impatience because Brown has had two hamstring injuries this term. But you’d think he’d be unlucky to sustain a third.
Still, a left-back is imminent.