Final window signings key to Portsmouth's season - Moon

Alex Robertson signed for Cardiff City during the summer window

It only takes one GIF on social media to get the Portsmouth fanbase in a frenzy over a possible transfer.

Pompey supporters haven't been starved of incomings this summer, eight permanent arrivals and one loan, at the time of writing, although that number includes a back-up goalkeeper and a youngster who was loaned out before the season started.

Last year there were just two arrivals after the season started. That is an exception rather than the rule.

This time there are set to be four more loan arrivals and at least one further permanent signing.

Pompey are operating in a different market compared to a year ago. In League One Portsmouth Football Club, and playing at Fratton Park, was a huge draw.

It still holds appeal but there are a number of bigger clubs with larger stadiums and better facilities in the Championship.

That presents challenges.

The market itself has also been very slow.

The Euros didn't help but also concerns over profit and sustainability breaches in the Premier League means the natural flowing of money down the divisions has been more of a trickle.

Have Pompey missed out on targets? One of the jobs of recruitment teams is to figure out who is and who isn't realistic.

Sometimes clubs will look at a player only to find out there are much bigger clubs circling a target, making any potential deal unlikely.

Portsmouth are never going to be able to compete financially with clubs that have the huge advantage of parachute payments, for example.

Robertson deal could have happened

Alex Robertson was a player Portsmouth were keen to have back.

The 21-year-old was popular among players and supporters during his loan last season from Manchester City and really enjoyed his time at Fratton Park.

He can clearly play in the Championship and perhaps even higher in the future.

In the profit and sustainability era, City are experts at extracting maximum value for their players, whether in the first team or the academy.

Buying a player from City isn't as simple as John Mousinho ringing up Pep Guardiola and discussing a deal.

They want the best price they can get and the frustration for Pompey with Robertson is that they overcame that hurdle and had an offer accepted.

Portsmouth’s owners have always been open to paying fees for notable assets.

Alex Robertson joined Portsmouth last season on loan before a Hamstring injury ended his campaign prematurely.

However, Cardiff also reached City's asking price meaning it was down to Robertson where he ended up.

Cardiff's budget is likely to be higher than Pompey's so I'd imagine they were offering him more money.

Not everything comes down to money, though, and there was hope that the good relationships last season might have drawn the player to the south coast.

It was not to be.

This is in no way a criticism of Robertson. He is a talented player and a likeable character who had to weigh up a difficult decision over the best option for his future and only he and his close confidents can really have all the information.

Signing him would also have been a slight gamble, given his serious hamstring issue last season, but there are risks in every new addition and it's one Portsmouth would certainly have been willing to take. There’s huge potential to Robertson as a player.

He's just one target out of a number this summer. Just like on the pitch there are ups and downs in every transfer window and, ultimately, it's what you have at the end of the window that really matters.

Getting these final half a dozen signings right is likely to be key to Pompey's Championship season.

The clock is ticking.