Doyle happy to tackle new role
Tom Doyle takes Steven Taylor out for coffee at every opportunity.
The 26-year-old Wellington Phoenix defender has been picking at the brain of his vastlyexperienced new team-mate, soaking up the chance to work alongside a player with close to 200 Premier League appearances to his name.
‘‘He’s been to places that we want to go so I’ll try and learn as much as possible this season and so far we’ve formed a good little trio at the back there,’’ Doyle said. ‘‘There were a lot of things missing last year so to bring in a player like Steven, he brings a lot to the changing room in terms of culture and to the field.
‘‘He leads by example, which is always good, he doesn’t just talk about it, and he’s someone who I try and mirror off the field.
‘‘He’s also someone very vocal and strong on the field so it adds a bit of comfort to your game when he’s next to you.’’
After spending the majority of his professional career at leftback, Doyle has found himself playing more centrally under new coach Mark Rudan.
He has started the opening two games, a 2-1 win over the Newcastle Jets and a 0-0 draw with the Brisbane Roar, next to Taylor and captain Andrew Durante as the left-sided centre-back in a 5-2-3 system.
Although there are fewer opportunities to bomb forward in that role, Doyle said the change of pace at centre-back has been a ‘‘breath of fresh air’’.
As long as he’s in the starting 11, the All White said he’s happy to play wherever the coach tells him to. ‘‘Obviously the coach has put me in there and I’ve taken to the task and the challenge.
‘‘I’ve enjoyed playing next to Dura and Stevie, there’s a lot of experience there and it makes my job a lot easier,’’ he said.
‘‘I’ve said from day one I’ll play wherever the club needs me to play, whether that’s left-back or centre-back. I’m very, very comfortable playing both and at the moment I’m playing well at the left of the back three.
‘‘You’re hugging the touchline as a left-back and usually teams look to press as soon as the fullback gets the ball so I do find I’ve got a lot more time on the ball and I’m able to knock those diagonals and find passes.
‘‘When you’re at left-back you’ve got to move the ball a lot quicker and you do have a lot of pressure coming to you so I’ve found it, maybe not relaxed as you’ve got be more clinical at the back, but it is a nice breath of fresh air to have some time on the ball.’’ It’s still early days but the Phoenix’s defence already appears significantly more robust than last season, when they conceded 55 goals in 27 games.
Doyle said all of the players, even the strikers, are determined to improve that statistic and there is even a sign taped to the window in the dressing room that reminds the players of their target to concede less than 29 goals – which would be a club record.
The Phoenix host Western Sydney, who are minus coach Markus Babbel serving a one match suspension, tomorrow.