With three new signings announced, plus an agreement being reached on Marlon Pack’s contract extenson, club secretary Alistair Knell will have been relieved to get through all the paperwork before the next batch of arrivals heads his way!
The capture of Oxford United’s play-off final hero Josh Murphy, in particular, has gone down well with the Fratton faithful, with the fans being told the Blues have sealed a move for one of League One’s best players ahead of their Championship return.
He’ll certainly add to the attacking prowess Pompey currently boost, with that department primed for another welcome addition in the former of Middlesbrough winger Sammy Silvera.
But what exactly will former £11m man Murphy bring to the table? How will he fit into John Mousinho’s system? And what’s going to get supporters off their seats when he’s on the ball?
Well, we’ve enlisted the help of PFSA Level 2 technical scout & performance analyst - plus social media influencer and Pompey fan - @SonStats to find out. Here’s his rundown of the 29-year-old, who sparked the Blues’ transfer window into life.
1. Josh Murphy was announced as a Pompey player on Tuesday night
Josh Murphy was announced as a Pompey player on Tuesday night | Portsmouth FC
.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
2. Player profile
Full name: Joshua Murphy. Age: 29 (24/02/1995). Height: 5'8" (1.73m). Weight: 67kg (174lbs). Preferred foot: Right. Natural position: Left wing. Previous clubs: Norwich, Wigan, MK Dons, Cardiff, Preston North End, Oxford United. | Getty Images
3. Postional requirements
Excels in 1v1 situations. Can execute actions with both feet. Decent passer of the ball. Strong ball-carrier via progressive runs. Strong athleticism with a focus on speed. Bravery on the ball. Defensively disciplined with a strong rate. Able to operate on the outside & cut inside. Able to manage hybrid marking responsibilities (preferably). High levels of fitness. | Getty Images
4. Strengths
Mobility - Very quick off the mark, maintaining a high level of pace and has good agility. Movement - Has quick and intelligent movement to back up his speed. Ball-carrying - Excels at dribbling and progressive runs. Technique - Can execute passes/crosses with quality. Flair - Can be unpredictable with the ball. Finishing - Good at ball-striking inside and outside the box. Two-footed - Natural with both feet which helps with his flair. Defensive work - Quick to track back when needed. Championship experience - 184 career matches in England’s second tier. | Getty Images