John Mousinho to have mixed feelings amid Adrian Segecic development on Australia duty
Portsmouth are aiming to improve on last season’s 16th-placed finish, and their start to 2025/26 has been nothing short of promising.
Portsmouth have gained seven points from their opening four games, as John Mousinho’s summer rebuild has gotten off to a good start.
Joining from Sydney FC, Adrian Segecic has been brilliant for Pompey, scoring two goals and registering one assist so far this season.
Segecic’s form earned him a first international call-up for Australia, with the Socceroos taking on New Zealand in two friendlies.
Adrian Segecic doesn’t feature in Australia win
Segecic was an unused substitute in Australia’s 1-0 win over New Zealand.
With another friendly against the same opponent still to come, Segecic will be hoping to make his first cap for Australia during this international break.
Segecic was excellent in the A-League last season, and the 21-year-old joined Fratton Park on an undisclosed fee.
| Season and Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 2021/22 – Sydney FC | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022/23 – Sydney FC | 25 | 3 | 3 |
| 2023/24 – FC Dordrecht (loan) | 30 | 5 | 1 |
| 2024/25 – Sydney FC | 36 | 18 | 3 |
| 2025/26 – Portsmouth | 5 | 2 | 1 |
However, Mousinho might be glad that Segecic failed to get any game time, with a huge match against bitter rivals Southampton to come straight after the international break.
The last thing Mousinho wants ahead of the crunch match is for one of his players to pick up an avoidable injury, and Segecic was clearly in no risk.
Portsmouth travel to Southampton on 14 September with the hopes of recording a first win at St. Mary’s since 2010.
- It’s Portsmouth’s first league meeting with Southampton since 2012
- They lost 4-0 to Southampton in their last meeting in 2019
- Portsmouth have only won 21 times out of the 71 matches played between the two
On the other hand, Segecic has travelled across the world to sit on the bench, and if he gets no minutes in the second friendly, he will come back to England having not played in two weeks – all while travelling across the world and back.
With match sharpness ready to play a crucial factor in the derby, perhaps Mousinho would like to risk Segecic’s fitness so he isn’t lethargic in the derby.
It’s a big dilemma Mousinho must weigh up, but surely he would want Segecic to achieve his dreams by making his first appearance for Australia, and coming back to England with a smile on his face.
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Adrian Segecic already a key player under John Mousinho
Segecic scored the winner on his debut against Oxford United, already setting a high bar for his potential at the club.
He also scored a consolation goal in the home defeat to Norwich and his transfer is the perfect example of how smart recruitment at Fratton Park has been in the last few years.
Portsmouth currently sit eighth in the table, and fans should be forgiven for feeling optimistic, with the ultimate goal being able to secure promotion and return to the Premier League for the time since 2010.
With Segecic starting the season brilliantly, Mousinho needs to do everything he can to keep the new signing fit and firing.
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