Portsmouth boss’ intriguing clues over key attacking selection call ahead of Derby County
Four players are vying for the key No10 position starting against Derby County on Monday might. John Mousinho gives his insight into the thinking over the call.
The role of Pompey’s key attacking creator is up for grabs for the Championship run-in.
John Mousinho has assessed those suitable for the key No10 position, as they looks for the right man to spark the Blues to life in front of goal.
Pompey boss reveals thoughts on No10 role for Championship run-in
And the head coach sees ‘plenty of options’, when it comes to the players he wants to bring goals and assists to the final 10 games of the campaign.
Mousinho has pinpointed John Swift, Conor Chaplin, Jacob Brown and Adrian Segecic, as the key quartet who can operate behind Pompey’s striker.
Brown was used there against Swansea City, before shifting to the right flank as Conor Chaplin was introduced for the second half of the 2-1 defeat at Fratton Park.
Adrian Segecic enjoyed early success in the position this season, with John Swift catching the eye there in back-to-back wins against Charlton Athetic and Millwall.
Now Mousinho has to find the right formula for the rest of the season - starting against Derby County on Monday.
‘We played Brownie (Jacob Brown) and Chappers (Conor Chaplin) there the other night. We’ve got Segs (Adrian Segecic) and John Swift, so it’s any one of four.
‘We have different qualities there, but maybe it’s been a frustrating one over the past four or five weeks.
‘I felt Chappers had his best game against West Brom and then he was injured a week later. John Swift came in, did very well and then got injured.
‘When players have hit their stride there they’ve ended up coming out.
‘Segs had a good start to the season there but maybe came off it slightly and was ready to come back into the side against Coventry and go on a run, but he got injured.
‘He’s then had to play in a multitude of different positions since then, so there’s been a lot of different circumstances.
Pompey boss: ‘It’s up for grabs, like every position’
‘It’s up for grabs, like every position. They all offer something different, so we’ll pick it depending on the type of game and who suits that game on that day.’
After returning from a hamstring issue as a late sub on Tuesday night, Swift will be the favoured No10 option for many against Derby. Mousinho noted deciding to do so will get the West Brom arrival into the position he’s played in most frequently in his career, but less so at Pompey.
He added: ‘One of the positives we have with the options is there’s different types of players. If you look at Conor and Segs, with their similar statures, they play the game in different ways.
‘Swifty does that as well. John came in for those three games and performed really well, getting his goal against Millwall.
‘He’s just a very different type of player but it’s not a position he’s played a huge amount for us, but we’re getting him in his better position.’