'It's not my best position - but I'll give it everything': Why Portsmouth hero is putting the team first
The Australian netted his fifth goal of the season as the Blues won 1-0 at Hillsborough
Adrian Segecic believes his current Pompey role isn’t bringing the best out of his prodigious talents.
But Saturday’s match winner remains determined to thrive on the right wing - and is convinced he’s finally beginning to adjust to John Mousinho’s demands.
By his own admission, the Australian’s best performances for the Blues have arrived in the number 10 position, which is currently being filled by Conor Chaplin.
Instead, Segecic has lined up on the right flank in three of Pompey’s last four matches - culminating with a 65th-minute goal in the 1-0 triumph at Sheffield Wednesday.
Yet far from complaining about his switch, the 21-year-old is seeking to make the most of his latest first-team opportunity - and he is convinced he’s now beginning to find his feet.
‘I’m more effective in the middle of the park’
He told The News: ‘I think I’m more effective in the middle of the park, but I need to be effective no matter where I am and no matter where the gaffer puts me.
‘I definitely feel like I’m adapting on the right and working at ways to get me on the ball and coming inside. It’s definitely working, I’m definitely getting used to it.
‘I’m a ball player who likes to receive in the pockets and be a bit more central. I can get more shots off there (as a number 10), I am not one to really knock it down the line and take someone on at pace and cross the ball on my right.
‘Instead I like to come inside on my left, playing reverse passes, going one-on-one in the middle of the park and getting shots off. So I’m a bit sharper there rather than knocking it down the line and crossing the ball in.
‘Now we are getting Chappers across and Terry to overlap, which allows me to come inside from the right and have combination play, which also allows me to drift a bit more inside and get into my more natural position.
‘That’s working a lot better now and we’re just starting to work it out and adapt a bit more - and it’s working really well.
‘Wherever the manager puts you, you need to perform, you need to be effective, so I’m glad I’ve put the goal in against Sheffield Wednesday.’
Pompey’s leading Championship scorer
A fifth Pompey goal of the season ensures the summer arrival from Sydney FC continues to lead the scoring stakes at Fratton Park.
The Australian started the season with a bang, netting in successive Championship matches, with both arriving from the preferred number 10 position. What’s more, they have continued to flow for the youngster.
Yet while he admits the majority of his career has been played on the right, it’s as a number 10 he remains comfortable in.
‘It’s not a whole new position for me’
He added: ‘To be fair, I have played more on the right in my career, but it has been more of a right and staying inside. Whereas now I’m staying a bit more wide to stretch the game and then coming inside.
‘I’ve played on the right a bit, it’s not a whole new position for me, but I have played a lot in the 10 as well and feel more comfortable there.
‘For me, if I can be just as good as the number 10 as on the right, then it works in my favour. I’ve got two positions where I can be dangerous.’