Hearfield squares up

ANDREW GORRIE/DOMINION POST

ADIOS ALL: Defender Troy Hearfield is leaving the Phoenix to play for the Central Coast Mariners next season.

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Troy Hearfield will finally be let off the leash on Sunday.

The 22-year-old Australian has no shortage of self-confidence and was expected to retain his starting position at right back this year after filling the role more than capably last season as the Wellington Phoenix surged into the A-League football playoffs.

But Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert instead opted to shift utility Manny Muscat from midfield, consigning Hearfield to a bench role for the opening three games.

Muscat is on international duty with Malta this week, so the door has swung back open for Hearfield, who is expected to start at right back against competition leaders Perth Glory.

Hearfield admitted it had been a frustrating few weeks on the bench.

"Yeah, it has been. It has been tough but it's the joys of being in a good side. You've got to fight for your position.

"I think I was hard done by not playing, but that's football and that's just being in a good team. There are a lot of good professionals at the club."

Herbert chose Muscat over the pacy Hearfield because of his superior passing skills, saying at the time "he's probably just a little bit more tidy in passing, he keeps the ball a little bit better".

Reminded of Herbert's comments, Hearfield was diplomatic.

"That's his opinion and I've got to live with that. Manny's always been a defender, he's an out-and-out defender and I've never been a defender.

"I was a makeshift defender last year and I thought I did well and I thought I earned a starting spot this year."

If Hearfield fires in Perth, it will give Herbert yet another selection headache. Muscat will be available for the following clash against struggling defending champions Sydney FC, while Socceroos defender Jade North will make his much anticipated arrival next week.

And adding to the puzzle is new midfield signing Nick Ward, who is in the squad to play Perth.

Hearfield is unsure where his long-term future lies.

"I like to run at players and I like to get forward with my pace and I like to deliver the ball for assists and score myself, get on the end of crosses.

"Last year was a great challenge for me at right back. I thought I did all right and I'm going to build on that this year," he says.

"This weekend is a great opportunity for myself to fill Manny's shoes and do well for the team and not concede."

The danger is that Hearfield's excitement will see him overplay his hand against the Glory, who boast two wins, two draws and former Liverpool superstar Robbie Fowler.

Hearfield is aware of this. "I don't want to go out there all guns blazing and do too much and not play well. I don't want to try to ping balls everywhere and try and run everywhere.

"I'll just go out there and be consistent and set balls up, play simple balls and the main thing is stopping them from scoring."

- © Fairfax NZ News