New Adelaide recruit Paul Reid says he’s happy to play in any position for the Reds if coach Aurelio Vidmar demands it.
New Adelaide recruit Paul Reid says he’s happy to play in any position for the Reds if coach Aurelio Vidmar demands it.
Reid was brought into the Reds’ side from English League One side Brighton and Hove Albion and the 29-year-old said his livewire performance in the first round of the Hyundai A-League against Perth was an indicator of things to come.
“Everyone knows the 11 that played on Sunday, that was the first time we had played together so I guess if you think like that it was a very encouraging performance,” said Ried ahead of Sunday’s trip to Brisbane to face the Queensland Roar.
“(And) whatever role I’m given by Viddie, I’m more than happy to do that, I can play in a variety of positions,” he added.
Reid had a difficult time in his career over recent years. He started out with Wollongong, becoming a cult hero at the club after scoring a last-minute equaliser in the National Soccer League (NSL) grand final clash with the Glory in 2000.
That match eventually went to penalties, with Reid putting one of those away as well.
His impressive performances for the Wolves eventually led to him being taken on by then English championship side Brighton during 2003 after a short stint at Bradford City.
But, at the end of 2005-06, the Seagulls were relegated to League One, with Reid suffering a serious knee injury around the same time that saw him miss most of the 2006-07 season.
But, after being released by the south-coast English club at the end of last season, Reid says he’s happy to do all he can to ensure the Reds, the only team to start the new campaign with a win, were successful in the Hyundai A-League’s fourth instalment.
“At the start of my career I was thinking I wanted to play centre midfield but going to England, I became more versatile,” he said.
“There’s going to be injuries during the season and there’s going to be times in the game where you might not have people on the bench that can cover certain positions, so if I can fill in there I’m more than happy to do that.”
