Portsmouth are two points off the Championship's top eight and, according to attacker Adrian Segecic, there is every reason to believe that gap can be closed. The bold claim is backed by numbers that demand to be taken seriously: 10 points from four matches, a climb from 19th to 11th, and a sequence that includes wins over Sheffield United, Norwich and Millwall, plus a draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That run began immediately after a narrow 1-0 defeat at rivals Southampton on 11 October, which left spirits low on the south coast. The response has been sharp enough to revive genuine ambitions for a top-six finish.

"After the result against Millwall I think that we can definitely achieve where we want to be: play-offs and competing at the top of the table," Segecic told BBC Radio Solent. "I feel like there's no reason that we shouldn't believe that we can, and we have shown it now."

The numbers behind the optimism

Portsmouth currently sit 11th. The play-off places in the Championship are decided by the top six, so Pompey are five positions and, at present, two points away from the conversation. That gap is small enough to be closed inside a couple of fixtures, but the division's density at this stage of the season means it can open back up just as quickly.

It is worth applying a little caution here. Four good matches are encouraging; they are not yet a season-defining statement. Championship history is littered with clubs that strung together a similar run in October, convinced themselves the ceiling had risen, and then found gravity reasserting itself in the winter months. John Mousinho's side will be tested on whether they can sustain this level rather than simply peak for it.

What is not in doubt is that Segecic himself has contributed meaningfully. The attacker has scored three goals and added an assist in 13 appearances across all competitions this season, completing the full 90 minutes in 10 of those games. That kind of availability and workrate is a quiet but important detail for a squad that has also had to absorb injuries, including the loss of Anderson for six to eight weeks.

Belief as currency

Segecic was direct about what he sees as the main driver of Portsmouth's upturn. "Belief is the biggest thing about us," he said. "With hard work I definitely feel like it can push us to the top."

He was particularly emphatic about the significance of bouncing back from the south-coast derby loss. "To bounce back and show what we've done the last four games is incredible," he added. "Off the back of everyone's heads being so low amongst the fans and in Portsmouth, it just shows the kind of team that we are. Having that little bit of arrogance about us and hard work, if we continue that then we'll definitely be a top side."

That self-belief is an asset, but it will need to be matched by consistency over a longer stretch. Two points off the top eight sounds close; in a division where six or seven clubs can separate or collapse that distance over a single midweek programme, it requires ongoing maintenance rather than celebration.

What Pompey need from here

To make the play-offs a realistic destination rather than a hopeful talking point, Portsmouth need to demonstrate their current form is a floor, not a ceiling. Mousinho's side have shown they can beat sides around them and hold firm against difficult opponents. The questions now are whether the squad is deep enough to cope with a congested fixture list and whether the goals will keep coming as scouting reports on Segecic and his teammates become more detailed.

For now, 11th place and a four-game unbeaten run gives Pompey every right to look upward. Whether that glance turns into a genuine charge will become clear over the next six weeks.

Frequently asked

Where are Portsmouth in the Championship table?
Portsmouth are currently 11th in the Championship, two points adrift of the top eight following a run of 10 points from their last four matches.
How many points do Portsmouth need to reach the Championship play-offs?
The play-offs are decided by a top-six finish. Portsmouth are currently 11th and two points off the top eight, meaning they need to close both the points gap and the positional gap over the remainder of the season.
How has Adrian Segecic performed for Portsmouth this season?
Segecic has scored three goals and provided one assist in 13 appearances across all competitions this season, playing the full 90 minutes in 10 of those games.