New-boy Baker learning fast after fine start at Pompey

No wonder the summer recruit has been taken under the wing of Michael Doyle in a bid to show him the Fratton Park ropes.

Baker has been one of six new faces at the kick-off of pre-season training this week.

It didn’t take long to accrue his first club fine either, having failed to sign in upon his arrival.

The process was introduced by Paul Cook last summer, with players under strict instruction to log their arrivals and departures on a register found outside his office.

Failure to comply is an automatic fine – and Baker is this season’s first culprit.

Still, the 33-year-old has enjoyed his early impressions of his fresh surroundings, while Doyle and Adam Barton are former Coventry team-mates.

Although he is already out of pocket.

He said: ‘You are at a new club and finding your way around, meeting new lads and staff.

‘After the first couple of days you are kind of relieved because you tend to have met everyone, know the building a bit better and understand how things work – even if there are a couple of fines along the way for not doing stuff!

‘I must admit, I didn’t sign in on the first day and will probably get fined for that. I am sure it won’t be the last mistake in the first week!

‘Thankfully Michael Doyle has given me loads of tips and I have been latching onto him.

‘I nearly went to eat before having a shower on the first day and he told me I wasn’t allowed to do that! He has been looking out for me a little bit and saving me money.

‘It’s all part and parcel of going to a new club, you have to make it fun and enjoy it – and the first day I did enjoy it.

‘At the start it can be difficult, you have lads all of a similar age trying to do the same job and sometimes you come in and players are leaving so it can be awkward.

‘But thankfully they seem like a great bunch of lads so that makes it a lot easier.

‘The staff have been fantastic with me and the kitman (Kev McCormack) has been quality as well.

‘I know I will eventually get moaned at by the gaffer or Michael (Doyle) or Kev, but at the moment they have all been aright.

‘I expect it to come, but I am sure I can handle it – I am used to it!’

Drew Talbot, Milan Lalkovic and Danny Rose have joined Baker among the new faces at Pompey.

Michael Smith and Matt Clarke also arrived this summer, although spent time on loan last term.