Portsmouth favourite’s frank response to being eyed for new role following international switch
John Mousinho is considering a change of role for the Pompey player of the season - now Terry Devlin has given his response to that Championship prospect.
Terry Devlin insisted he’s happy to action a role to the left flank after being eyed for a potential role switch.
But the Fratton favourite admitted he’d never played at left wing-back before, until being thrust into the position on international duty for Northern Ireland.
Pompey’s Devlin on new role: ‘I’ll do anything to help out anywhere I can on pitch’
Devlin’s international boss Michael O’Neill’s sprung a surprise by utilising the reigning player of the season in the new position, as his country picked up an impressive 3-0 win against Ukraine last month.
They are hoping for more of the same tonight in their Nations League return, but Devlin could be in for a surprise change of flank on his return to Pompey duty.
That’s after Mousinho explained he’s been thinking of using the 23-year-old on the other flank, with Jayden Meghoma his only fit out-and-out left-back at present.
And Devlin promised he’s happy to broaden his reputation for ‘playing where he wants’ by taking on the role if necessary.
He said: ‘The gaffer texted me after the Northern Ireland game and said: “It turns out you’re a left wing-back as well!”
‘I texted back letting him know I’m happy to play anywhere to help the team out.
‘If that’s what it is, I’ll do it. I’ll do anything to help out anywhere I can on the pitch.
‘Against Wolves, I ended up at left-back for a good 5-10 minutes. The ball just wouldn’t go out of play, after me and Jayden had switched from a corner.
‘It’s really important to know some of those different positions and slot in there.
‘That was the first time I’ve played off the left as a left wing-back.
‘The (Northern Ireland) gaffer said to me at the start of the week when we met up that I could fill a position there for them and help the team out there.
‘On the other side there is Connor Bradley, Trai Hume and Brodie Spencer. So there’s competition for places. To be able to play for my country, I’m happy to play anywhere.’
Speaking about his considerations over Devlin’s position and versatility, Mousinho explained the former Glentoran man’s attributes make him an interesting prospect for the switch.
He told The News: 'We have different full-backs at the moment.
‘The interesting thing is Terry played left wing-back for Northern Ireland as well.
‘That wasn’t a position we necessarily thought he’d thrive in, but we looked at bringing him on there against Southampton.
‘We were protecting Jayden and Jayden was one we took off, because he’d been booked in that game. He was also being booed relentlessly and we thought that was another potential flashpoint over him.
‘So Terry was one we considered putting there, but we decided to put Swanny over there because he’s a bit more familiar with it.
‘I think he can play there, though. I genuinely think he can play pretty much anywhere.
‘You get a different profile if you play him where he plays out wide.
‘If you play him wide, he’s played wide left and wide right, it’s a different profile to an out-and-out winger but he does a very good job and he’s settled well as a full-back.’
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