The emergency loan window officially opened today and it seems that the Steve Cotterill policy of borrowing Stoke City players will once again be in full swing.
The Pompey manager's scouting network seems to be solely based in the Potteries given that four players were taken from the Britannia Stadium during last summer's transfer window and it looks like Cotterill has his eye on Staffordshire outcasts once again.
The local news has reported that up to four players who are not in Tony Pulis' plans could well be targeted by Cotterill as he looks to bolster his small squad of 19 players.
Andrew Davies was said to be considered by Cotterill as a replacement left back but the former Southampton man has now been loaned to Crystal Palace.
Michael Tonge and Tom Soares are two central midfield players that Pompey have been linked with in the past. Last season it seemed like Pompey had a dearth of central midfield players but with Michael Brown, Richard Hughes and Jonathan Hogg gone that has only left Hayden Mullins and David Norris as the only recognised central midfielders at the club.
Therefore it wouldn't be such a bad idea for Cotterill to reinforce this area of the squad. However, it seems like Tonge's light has faded since a bright start to his career at Sheffield United. The 28-year-old has been loaned to Championship clubs since Stoke's promotion but has never really caught the eye or settled down, so perhaps the option to borrow him should be passed.
Soares is still only 25-years-old but has had horrendous luck with injuries since his move from Crystal Palace. He is another one who has failed to live up to early billing and has also been relegated three times, playing a fair few games for those clubs. He is probably another one to turn down should he be offered to Pompey.
Two more promising signings would be Danny Collins and Danny Pugh should they be willing to come down to Fratton Park. The former is a solid left back who could do a very good job at Championship level and the latter is a quality player in a position Pompey are desperately trying to fill.
Luke Varney hasn't been too effective when playing on the wing (as he should be playing as a centre forward) and the tactic of Ashdown lumping the ball out to him in hopes he will flick it on to Kitson or an onrunner from midfield is dire and predictable. Pugh would be a threat on that wing but it's possible he may return to Leeds where he had some success in his younger days.
Because of Pompey's ties with Stoke you wouldn't bet against at least one of their players joining our club before the "emergency" loan window closes on November 24th, so there are plenty of deals to be done and it may just be that Pompey do go "potty" once again.