Jack Hinshelwood has acknowledged that his Brighton position can sometimes require considerable endurance.
Nevertheless, he did not need to wait lengthy to rediscover his scoring form in the fresh top-flight campaign.
The forward-thinking midfielder found the net at the 30-minute mark and then once more 60 seconds afterwards during the 4-0 victory against Aston Villa.
That brace came after his match-winning strike in the pre-season encounter on home soil versus Bologna, when he had pushed so high forward that the Serie A side believed he had strayed beyond the last defender.
More precisely, that brings him to four goals across his previous six top-flight fixtures, encompassing the closing matches of last term.
Such a scoring record is impressive for someone who originally operated as a defender or sitting midfielder, having featured at left-back for England’s under-21 side during their European Championship triumph.
This works partly because he presses aggressively from the front.
However, one also requires a goal-scoring danger when positioned that high up the pitch.
Recalling the pre-match anticipation at Brentford in February, when news spread that he would operate in an advanced role, this tactical adjustment by Fabian Hurzeler and his coaching staff appears remarkably forward-thinking.
But what does the player himself think about it?
Following the Villa match, Hinshelwood informed The Argus that occasionally he finds it somewhat maddening because he desires greater involvement with the ball.
Yet ultimately, in that berth, he understands his own strengths.
He knows he can make late runs into the area and find the net.
He believes he has needed to exercise some restraint at periods and perhaps not receive the ball as frequently as he would prefer, but to maintain proper positioning, which ultimately proved worthwhile with a brace.
During a subsequent conversation with a limited group of journalists shortly after his double, Hinshelwood mentioned that Brighton’s lineup might appear to feature players in unfamiliar positions, yet it actually functions effectively.
Consequently, The Argus put to him whether Hurzeler has his squad playing in a manner that those observing from outside do not always comprehend?
He let out a brief chuckle, before stating that he considers himself a diligent professional who aims to drive the press and provide energy and intensity.
He believes his function is rather distinctive. He may not be a conventional number ten, yet he arrives in dangerous zones and on this occasion he was fortunate to convert two opportunities.
Hurzeler expressed some surprise upon hearing Hinshelwood had characterised his role as distinctive.
Yet he replied that in terms of his approach and interpretation of the position, that simply is distinctive, given that he is not a player who requires numerous touches to generate threat inside the opposition area.
This genuinely assists the team because if a side always depends on ball touches to feel comfortable, then every player drifts towards the ball.
Without establishing this movement to exploit space behind the defence and without creating numerical advantages in the opponent’s area, scoring becomes impossible.
That explains why he is perpetually positioned there.
He is extremely aggressive without possession. He made further progress throughout pre-season training.
The manager expressed considerable satisfaction with his performance and hopes he can sustain this trajectory.
Brighton may well require those attacking attributes to alleviate any anxiety ahead of the second encounter versus Tromso.
Hinshelwood, who wears strapping around an ankle, only saw limited action on the synthetic surface in Norway.
The club abstained from training on that pitch to minimise the possibility of any player experiencing subsequent problems.
Hinshelwood mentioned that it was the manager’s prerogative and obviously with four matches across ten days, maintaining squad freshness becomes necessary.
He respects that choice and was prepared to make a difference when introduced from the substitutes’ bench.