Danny Cowley has explained Michael Jacobs' current situation, following a failed transfer this month.

What's the talk?

Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley has explained why Michael Jacobs' proposed move to Ipswich ultimately fell through. The Pompey boss has claimed that another player became available to the Tractor Boys at the last minute and that caused them to ditch Jacobs and leave him in limbo.

He told the Portsmouth News:

“We got into a good place on Thursday, which allowed us to accept the bid for Michael.

“They agreed personal terms and they did a medical. Michael passed that medical, so I am told. For whatever reason, the deal didn’t happen.

“I found out yesterday afternoon. I told Michael, he didn’t know. I was ringing Ipswich all day Sunday, trying to find out, for everyone’s benefit.

“What happened – and this does happen in football – is that Ipswich agreed the deal and then another player became available and they decided to go with the other player.

“Michael appreciated my honesty. He needed clarity himself and once I found out, I told him. He is one of my players, I care a lot for him. You think ‘How would I want to be treated in that position?’.

‘I always try to walk in their shoes and would want to know and, even if it’s not my place to tell him, I think I have a responsibility to tell him.
‘He’s a really good kid and he has been mucked around, messed around. Football never ceases to amaze you, doesn’t it?"

Fans will be frustrated

This update from Cowley will leave fans frustrated. It is difficult to blame Ipswich for their actions as they were acting in the best interests of their own club. If a better player, in their view, was available and a deal for Jacob was not signed, sealed and delivered then it is their prerogative to make that call, which they ultimately did.

That does not change how it impacts Portsmouth, though, and that is why this is a frustrating situation for the supporters, the club, Cowley and Jacobs. The midfielder was seemingly happy to move on and join the Blues, with Portsmouth also willing to sanction it and Cowley moved on with his plans to shape his own squad for the League One campaign.

Jacobs has now returned to Fratton Park with a huge question mark over his head for the rest of the window. Do Portsmouth now keep hold of him? Do they sell him to another side?

The £7.9k-per-week dud did not enjoy the best of debut seasons for Portsmouth. He played 20 games in League One, 12 starts, and averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.67. That placed him 14th in the Pompey squad for ratings, which suggests that he is a bench option for Cowley on the evidence of his career at the club so far.

Therefore, it could be a shrewd call to find him a new club before the end of the month as his exit may not impact the squad in terms of quality and he has already had his head set on a move.

He may not be able to fully concentrate on playing for Pompey, as he was in the mindset for a transfer to Ipswich - which could mean that he needs to seal an exit to settle down and start grinding out performances again. Pompey fans will be frustrated, as their club are now left with a player who was ready to move on.

AND in other news, 9 duels lost: Portsmouth flop endured nightmare display that'll leave Cowley fuming...