'I'm ready': Former non-leaguer convinced he's the man to answer Portsmouth SOS
The 26-year-old has now scored in the Championship, League One (Burton), League Two (Walsall and Swindon) and the National League (Eastleigh)
Tyrese Shade is convinced he’s the man to provide the goal power in the absence of Marko Milovanovic.
The Serbian striker has been ruled out for up to three months after tearing his quad against Swanson, joining Colby Bishop (knee) on the sidelines.
That leaves Shade and Thomas Waddingham as John Mousinho’s centre-forward options at present - and, with impeccable timing, he opened his Pompey goal account in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Stoke.
In Milovanovic’s absence, the 26-year-old started up front against the Potters and netted a first goal in 10 outings since making the switch from Burton,
Now he insists he’s ready to lead the line on a more regular basis for Pompey in the Championship.
‘I believe I have shown the threat’
He told The News: ‘I hope I can get the goals, I think I can, the manager thinks I can, and my team-mates think I can. I just have to keep working hard.
‘I still have a long way to go, I am far from an established Championship player, but I have shown glimpses. That has to be the minimum requirement from the standards I hold for myself.
‘I believe I have shown the threat I can be wide, while on Saturday I was down the middle. I like to play off defenders’ shoulders when our number 10 and wide players pick it up. I like runs into the channel, no defender likes running towards their own goal.
‘When I play down the middle I am a different type of striker to Thomas (Waddingham), although I love to see him play because he’s relentless and doesn't give centre-halves a break.
‘He’s been amazing since coming back. I love playing with him because he’s a real nuisance, a proper centre-forward. I love to watch him play, he has been a credit to himself. Long may his goalscoring form continue.’
Scored in Championship, League One, League Two and National League
Shade opened the scoring for Pompey against Stoke in the sixth minute, when he hit a first-time shot into the far corner of the net.
The 26-year-old’s first Championship goal means he has now registered the notable achievement of having scored in each of the top-four divisions below the Premier League.
Others have come in League One (Burton), League Two (Walsall and Swindon) and the National League (Eastleigh)
And he’s now eyeing plenty more at Championship level after the Blues provided him with a chance following his deadline day move from the Pirelli Stadium.
He added: ‘I’ve just got to keep building, I’m working and scoring as much as possible for the club.
‘Credit to myself and the coaches that have worked with me over the years to get me into this position. I just have to give back for the opportunity they have given me by scoring goals and giving good performances when I play.’
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