The pathway forward for in-demand Portsmouth star Adrian Segečić
Adrian Segecic showed his effectiveness through the middle at the end of last season - there now looks to be a mantle as Pompey’s No10 moving forward which is his for the taking.
The emergence of ‘premium’ summer transfers targets has reverberated excitedly among the Fratton Faithful.
The prospect of the likes of Rocco Shein, Marko Milovanović and Abu Kamara being in John Mousinho’s starting line-up next season is one to enthuse supporters.
Segecic’s home being through the middle is an enticing prospect
That has led to a flurry of predicted Pompey teams circulating on social media, as fans use football line-up apps to produce starting XIs accommodating transfer targets and the best of Mousinho’s existing squad.
And the consistent theme through all of them is the man occupying the No10 position.
Adrian Segecic was afforded his preferred central attacking role too infrequently for his liking, through an impressive maiden season in the Championship.
Pompey’s top scorer was primarily used down the right flank, despite an impressive start to the season through the middle.
No one was arguing with the converted Croatia man being shunted to the right, given the excitement which greeted Conor Chaplin’s homecoming at the close of last year’s summer window.
But it marked a downturn in Segecic’s effectiveness, which led to him dropping out of the starting XI before an ankle injury struck in October.
In terms of starts the 22-year-old was used almost exclusively from the right flank, but the hallmarks of his hurtling finish to the season offered insight into what lies ahead.
The Sydney FC may have been shown as operating on the right flank, as he delivered eight goal contributions from the final six games to carry Pompey to Championship safety. The reality was a little different.
Segecic’s maiden hat-trick in English football came from him taking up positions in central areas, as Stoke City were put to the sword in April.
In fact, all five of his goals scored across the final three games came through the middle, as efforts against Birmingham City and Coventry City saw the little dynamo finish the season as the Championship’s player of the month.
It spoke of the future and with Chaplin not returning next season, Segecic is now set to be given a clear run in the position.
Pompey's sole signing so far Odin Bailey can operate in the same role but it feels like the arrival from Stockport County's challenge is to usurp the man who caught the imagination at the end of last term.
With Kamara being linked with a homecoming, an attacking triumvirate of the League One title winner, Josh Murphy and Segecic is one to excite.
The trio’s craft behind top striking target, Marko Milovanović, certainly appeals in our prospective Pompey XIs.
But, whoever finally arrives, Segecic’s home being through the middle next season is an enticing prospect.