'Lack of peril allows Pompey shackles to come off'

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ByTom Chappell
Portsmouth fan writer from Fournilwrittenalloverit
  • Published
Adrian Segecic jumps in the air and pumps his fist as he celebrates a goal during his hat-trick for Portsmouth at Stoke CityImage source, Shutterstock
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Adrian Segecic reached 10 goals for the Championship season with a hat-trick at the Bet365 Stadium

Blazing sunshine, members of the cast and company from both Grease and The Wizard of Oz in fancy dress, an Adrian Segecic hat-trick, three points on our final away trip of the season and John Mousinho fist bumps.

Saturday afternoon in Staffordshire really had it all. Particularly in the second half, there was a real swagger and confidence about Pompey - perhaps expected, given the freedom of expression permitted by our lack of peril in terms of points tally, but a reminder nonetheless of the strength this squad has to deliver a performance like Saturday's.

In spite of John Mousinho's side doubling their away wins this time round compared to last season, Pompey's travelling faithful have been subject to a number of complete no-shows throughout the campaign. Rewarding 3,000-plus fans with a performance of real class to round off nine months up and down the land in such a way was fantastic to see.

There was absolutely no coincidence whatsoever that within minutes of Josh Murphy entering the field, Pompey went back ahead. It was Segecic's day, no-one will doubt that for a second, but Murphy's stardust and exceptional crossing technique went a long way towards winning that game for Pompey.

At 21 years of age, in your debut season in English football, registering double figures for goals in a relegation-battling side for almost the entirety of the campaign is absurdly good.

Segecic's left foot is massively his preference, granted - but the boy is a born goalscorer, unbelievably hard-working and has really gone from strength to strength this season.

All that remains for Pompey is an opportunity to better last season's points total by either one or three points on the final day at Bristol City.

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