Portsmouth will be hoping to build on a positive start to their campaign in the coming weeks as they compete in multiple competitions.

Whilst Championship clubs have the chance to relax with their World Cup break meaning they won't be back in action until December, Pompey are set to enter league, EFL Trophy and FA Cup action as Danny Cowley looks to enjoy more success than he did last term.

At this stage, their focus has to be promotion from League One because as they will already know, it's getting harder and harder each year for them to secure a second-tier return with relegated sides becoming stronger.

 

 

The onus is on Pompey to try and upset some of the big boys of the division including Ipswich Town and Sheffield Wednesday, both of whom have the resources, quality and squad depth to sustain a push for promotion.

This is without mentioning the likes of Derby County, Barnsley, Peterborough United and Plymouth Argyle - with the quartet also looking to be in the top six when the end of the season comes around.

With this, incomings may be needed at Fratton Park to keep them competitive but we're looking at two potential outgoings in this piece.

Griffiths saga

Josh Griffiths has admitted that he still isn't sure of his future at this stage ahead of a potential winter recall from parent club West Bromwich Albion, speaking to The News.

Although the young goalkeeper has signed for the south-coast outfit on a season-long loan, he isn't guaranteed to spend the full campaign there and the arrival of Carlos Corberan at The Hawthorns has only placed further doubt regarding his future.

The ex-Huddersfield Town coach may be keen to work with him during the second half of the season as a potential alternative to David Button and Alex Palmer, with the 21-year-old seemingly destined to become a key first-teamer in the Midlands in the coming years.

Considering he's been one of the first names on the teamsheet for Pompey though, making 19 competitive appearances for Cowley's men so far, it would be foolish for Albion to recall him.

Still, it's worth the third-tier side having a shortlist of potential replacements ready just in case. That's the best way to prepare amid uncertainty.

It may even be worth offering Albion more favourable terms in his loan deal to persuade the Midlands club to let him remain on the south coast, something that would minimise instability in the goalkeeping department at Fratton Park.

Will Dale return to Blackpool?

Another player that may potentially return to his parent club in January is Owen Dale, with Blackpool having the option to recall him.

His future on the south coast seems even more uncertain than Griffiths - because Michael Appleton is weighing up whether to bring him back and you can't blame him considering he needs all the options he can get.

If he retains his job but is still struggling at Bloomfield when January comes along, it will be worth Appleton having another roll of the dice to try and salvage his job and he can do this by bringing back an attacking option in Dale.

After all, they did lose winger Josh Bowler and if the likes of CJ Hamilton, Jerry Yates, Ian Poveda and Theo Corbeanu aren't performing, Dale could be brought back to inject energy, provide more competition and with that, potentially raise the performance levels of his teammates in that position.

Recording one goal and four assists in 14 league appearances, a replacement would certainly be needed but should they go down the loan route or pursue a permanent addition?

A loan deal may be a cheaper option - and it may allow them to spend funds on other areas too. That could be the difference between promotion and remaining in the third tier.