There’s no guarantee that every bit of business conducted in the transfer market will prove a success.
Indeed, for every Colby Bishop, Lassana Diarra, Ricardo Rocha and Gavin Bazunu, there could easily be a Djimi Traore, Theofanis Gekas or Mike Williamson lying unexpectedly in await, too.
There’s no scientific explanation why a transfer can turn sour for one and be a huge success for another.
However, the nature of modern football, with players and managers changing clubs so often, means there's always going to be those who struggle to perform in a short space of time.
Like the majority of clubs, Pompey have found that out for themselves in recent years.
And with another transfer window on the horizon, the pressure will once again be on the Blues to get it right.
But what lessons can be learned?
Well, if the list below is anything to go on, there’s plenty of case studies to refer back to.
Of course, not everyone included is a bad player. It just didn't work out for them at Fratton Park for whatever reason.
The list doesn’t include anybody presently at the club. But let us know if there's anyone you think escaped it who deserves to be on the list from the Michael Eisner era.
There’s no scientific explanation why a transfer can turn sour for one and be a huge success for another.
![Must was expected of the former Bournemouth player when recruited by Kenny Jackett from Shrewsbury on a short-team deal in January 2021. However, he struggled to impress during 18 appearances with the Blues. Appeared a shadow of the player which performed so consistently in the Premier League.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjQxNGNlM2Y3LTBlNzUtNGZkNy1iNjIxLTdlODgyZDI4YTU2ODpiOWE1ZWMzNi02NWMyLTQ4MjgtYmE1YS1mZmRjMzVmMjZkOTM=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
17. Charlie Daniels
Must was expected of the former Bournemouth player when recruited by Kenny Jackett from Shrewsbury on a short-team deal in January 2021. However, he struggled to impress during 18 appearances with the Blues. Appeared a shadow of the player which performed so consistently in the Premier League.Photo: Joe Pepler
![Hiwula joined the Blues in October 2020 on a free transfer, having previously represented Coventry. However, he was firmly third-choice striker at Fratton Park and behind John Marquis and Ellis Harrison in the pecking order. The ex-Huddersfield man was limited to just 13 Pompey appearances in total. He scored three goals. The striker was not offered fresh terms at the end of the 2021-22 season and subsequently joined Doncaster Rovers. Currently plays for Ross County.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmI4MjhlZDljLTA4NGItNDc5YS04YjQxLTdmZTU3MTlkMGYwNzo4YmVjMmExOC1mYzY3LTRjMjYtYmJlNC1kN2Y4YmQzMzc2YzE=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
18. Jordy Hiwula
Hiwula joined the Blues in October 2020 on a free transfer, having previously represented Coventry. However, he was firmly third-choice striker at Fratton Park and behind John Marquis and Ellis Harrison in the pecking order. The ex-Huddersfield man was limited to just 13 Pompey appearances in total. He scored three goals. The striker was not offered fresh terms at the end of the 2021-22 season and subsequently joined Doncaster Rovers. Currently plays for Ross County.Photo: Joe Pepler
![The American keeper made just one appearance for the Blues during his short stint at the club. That came in the Blues’ 5-1 Papa John’s Trophy defeat at the hands of Peterborough. Yet he only played 60 minutes, with Kenny Jackett opting to field fellow youngster Taylor Seymour for the last half hour as he searched for suitable back-up to Craig MacGillivray. Neither keeper was deemed suitable, though – leading Pompey to sign Exeter stopper Lewis Ward while allowing Turnbull to leave.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjVmNDUyZWZlLWEzMTctNDQ1Ni04YjhhLTc3NWI4YzU3ZDEyNjowYTc3YTFhNC1lYjllLTQxNzQtYjk5Yi0zOGY1ZTk5NWZlNDQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
19. Duncan Turnbull
The American keeper made just one appearance for the Blues during his short stint at the club. That came in the Blues’ 5-1 Papa John’s Trophy defeat at the hands of Peterborough. Yet he only played 60 minutes, with Kenny Jackett opting to field fellow youngster Taylor Seymour for the last half hour as he searched for suitable back-up to Craig MacGillivray. Neither keeper was deemed suitable, though – leading Pompey to sign Exeter stopper Lewis Ward while allowing Turnbull to leave.Photo: Joe Pepler
![The young midfielder spent the second half of the 2020-21 season on loan at Fratton Park from Tottenham. It represented White's first real experience of first-team football, having played only twice for Spurs in cup competitions previously. White scored once in 22 appearances as the Blues narrowly missed out on the League One play-offs. Was in and out of the team as he failed to stamp his authority on games.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmQ3Njk2MjcxLWMwOTMtNDIzNC1hZTA4LThlNjlmMDVhMjliNDo5NzJmMDY5Zi0wOWZkLTRiYWMtOTMwZC1iYTdiZjc2M2NhYzU=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
20. Harvey White
The young midfielder spent the second half of the 2020-21 season on loan at Fratton Park from Tottenham. It represented White's first real experience of first-team football, having played only twice for Spurs in cup competitions previously. White scored once in 22 appearances as the Blues narrowly missed out on the League One play-offs. Was in and out of the team as he failed to stamp his authority on games.Photo: Joe Pepler