Portsmouth skipper Tom Naylor: I'm no centre-half rookie - I was signed as one by Derby

Tom Naylor isn’t a central-defensive rookie, certainly he’s no centre-half greenhorn.
Tom Naylor is no centre-half newcomer - he once won a move to Derby as one. Picture: Joe PeplerTom Naylor is no centre-half newcomer - he once won a move to Derby as one. Picture: Joe Pepler
Tom Naylor is no centre-half newcomer - he once won a move to Derby as one. Picture: Joe Pepler

His career began by serving in the role – and it was a position which earned a dream move from non-league to Championship side Derby.

Even half of his Burton Albion existence, spanning three-and-a-half years and two promotions, consisted of playing at the heart of their defence.

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Granted, to the Fratton faithful, the 28-year-old represents a combative midfielder, excelling in a holding remit under Kenny Jackett.

Similarly, Naylor insists he is comfortable operating as a Pompey centre-half – and certainly is no inexperienced operator.

He said: 'When the gaffer signed me, he wanted a holding midfielder who can sweep up things, which I did last season.

‘Then he told me “There are a few places I want to put you – either centre-half or midfield. If you play centre-half you are going to be brilliant, if you are in midfield you are going to be brilliant as well”.

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‘We have a good relationship and once he tells me to go back into midfield, I will change my game plan.

Tom Naylor is no centre-half newcomer - he once won a move to Derby as one. Picture: Joe PeplerTom Naylor is no centre-half newcomer - he once won a move to Derby as one. Picture: Joe Pepler
Tom Naylor is no centre-half newcomer - he once won a move to Derby as one. Picture: Joe Pepler

‘I started at centre-half, coming through the Mansfield ranks, and Derby signed me as one, although then played me right-back!

‘At Burton it was probably half and half, between centre midfield and central defence, and I do enjoy both positions.

‘In defence it is not as much running, not as much graft, although you still defend as you would do in the midfield, still work hard.

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'It's more about keeping a shape in the back four, following the runners, winning more headers than you would do in midfield. You also get more time on the ball as a centre-half.’

Following a system change to capitalise on Burton’s reduction to 10 men on Tuesday night, from half-time Naylor operated in a back three.

That enabled him to prompt attacks from the back in the last-gasp 2-2 draw.

Naylor added: ‘One of us had to step in to bring the ball out and I did it a few times, but it was tough with two banks of four in front of me.

‘You had to be patient in that situation. We were – and eventually got the equaliser.’

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