New role is tailor-made for Doyle
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 vastly experienced 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’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 most of his professional career at left-back, Doyle has found himself playing more centrally under new coach Mark Rudan.
He has started the opening two A-League 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 XI, 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.
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.
‘‘We start our defending from the frontline. Those boys have got extremely fit in the preseason and that shows on the field.
‘‘We’ve got a very, very defensive unit and obviously there’s still improvements to make, we could be better on the transition going forward and keeping the ball, but we’ve conceded one goal in two games and we’re looking to keep that record, keep very, very solid and make sure we’re hard to break down.’’
The Phoenix host Western Sydney Wanderers at Westpac Stadium tomorrow. The Wanderers will be without head coach Markus Babbel, who is serving a one-game suspension.
‘‘It adds a bit of comfort to your game when he’s next to you.’’ Ton Doyle on Phoenix teammate Stephen Taylor