Portsmouth: Last few signings of August key to chances – Moon

However, Cardiff also reached City’s asking price meaning it was down to Robertson where he ended up.

Cardiff’s budget is likely to be higher than Pompey’s so I’d imagine they were offering him more money.

Not everything comes down to money, though, and there was hope that the good relationships last season might have drawn the player to the south coast.

It was not to be.

This is in no way a criticism of Robertson. He is a talented player and a likeable character who had to weigh up a difficult decision over the best option for his future and only he and his close confidents can really have all the information.

Signing him would also have been a slight gamble, given his serious hamstring issue last season, but there are risks in every new addition and it’s one Portsmouth would certainly have been willing to take. There’s huge potential to Robertson as a player.

He’s just one target out of a number this summer. Just like on the pitch there are ups and downs in every transfer window and, ultimately, it’s what you have at the end of the window that really matters.

Getting these final half a dozen signings right is likely to be key to Pompey’s Championship season.

The clock is ticking.