League One side Portsmouth have started their season in a very disappointing fashion, currently sitting in 16th place going into their next set of games.

Danny Cowley's side have won just one of their last 11 third-tier matches, the reason why they are currently languishing in the bottom half of the table after winning nine points from a possible in their opening three games of the season.

Things looked very bright on the south coast at that point after agonisingly missing out on the play-offs by just two points, with a home loss against Accrington Stanley on the final day proving to be costly in their quest to get back to the Championship.

 

 

But their form since has been dire, with a 4-0 defeat at Fratton Park to Ipswich Town last week potentially their lowest point of the season so far. Not only were they humiliated at home - but former Pompey men Paul Cook and Conor Chaplin returned to their old patch to take a thumping victory - rubbing salt into the Portsmouth wound.

Manager Cowley will need to turn things around quickly if he wants to retain his job, because this current form is unsustainable for a side that ideally wanted to be in and around the promotion mix this season.

If they fail to improve their form, some of their top players may want to push for a move away, and we have selected two Pompey men who are likely to attract interest during the upcoming winter window.

Michael Jacobs

Soccer Football - League One - Portsmouth v Lincoln City - Fratton Park, Portsmouth, Britain - January 26, 2021 Lincoln City's Liam Bridcutt in action with Portsmouth's Michael Jacobs Action Images/Andrew Boyers EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

The 29-year-old winger was on the verge of moving to Ipswich Town in August before this deal collapsed, in what was a huge blow to the Pompey man who may have wanted the opportunity to join an exciting project at Portman Road.

As per the East Anglian Daily Times, the Tractor Boys were the ones to pull the plug on this deal after signing Kyle Edwards, preferring the former West Brom man who was available on a free transfer after leaving The Hawthorns on the expiration of his contract.

A fee had been agreed between the two sides for the 29-year-old and he had even passed a medical according to the same report - but this failed move meant he remained at Fratton Park beyond the summer.

However, he has failed to make a real impact on the south coast so far this season, playing just 44 minutes of League One football, making three cameos in the third tier and with that, failing to register a single goal or assist.

He has started in both of Portsmouth's EFL Trophy matches, but hasn't been effective during those games either and may seek a move away to kickstart his career after an underwhelming couple of years with Cowley's men.

Marcus Harness

Soccer Football - League One - Plymouth Argyle v Portsmouth - Home Park, Plymouth, Britain - November 16, 2020   Portsmouth's Marcus Harness in action with Plymouth Argyle's Danny Mayor   Action Images/Andrew Couldridge    EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.  Please contact your account
Soccer Football - League One - Plymouth Argyle v Portsmouth - Home Park, Plymouth, Britain - November 16, 2020 Portsmouth's Marcus Harness in action with Plymouth Argyle's Danny Mayor Action Images/Andrew Couldridge EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Although his team have performed poorly, Harness has done reasonably well for himself, scoring five times in 13 league matches and establishing himself as one of Pompey's best attacking threats.

Scoring seven goals and recording eight assists in League One last term, he is on course to smash his goal contributions tally and this is only likely to attract interest from Championship sides who may want to bolster their wing position in January.

Teammate Ronan Curtis is another option amid previous interest in him from the likes of Blackburn Rovers and Cardiff City - but his seven yellow cards already this term may be a turn-off and it's thought the duo cooled their interest in him during the previous window.

Boss Cowley admitted he was bracing himself for second-tier sides to come in for Harness during the summer - but a move failed to materialise. The Portsmouth manager may not get as lucky this time around though, especially if the 25-year-old can keep banging in the goals.

And considering his age, he's still a couple of years away from reaching the peak of his playing powers, making him a smart investment for a Championship club when 2022 comes around.