Dummett Enjoying Being A Central Figure

By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor

Paul Dummett has admitted that he's loving his new role as a centre-back - but insists he doesn't have a preferred position.

The 23-year-old Academy product has played most of his football as a left-back, but had occasionally started in the centre for United's under-21s and during loan spells at Gateshead and St. Mirren before this season.

Nonetheless, his selection at centre-half at Manchester City in the Capital One Cup last month surprised many. Dummett, though, turned in a tremendous performance to keep the likes of Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero at bay before reverting to left-back against Liverpool, when he marked the livewire Raheem Sterling out of the game.

But an injury to Steven Taylor ahead of last Sunday's game at West Bromwich Albion saw Dummett again partner Coloccini at centre-back and, against the in-form Saido Berahino, the pair kept another shut-out.

"He was always going to be a tricky player; he's quick and he gets shots off early and I think he had a couple of chances but not many to cause us too many problems," Dummett told nufcTV when asked about facing the young Baggies forward who could win his first England cap this week. 

"I think as a team we did well to stop him from causing us problems. (Victor) Anichebe's a big, strong lad and I think we coped with him well.

"It was a terrific team performance. It's five wins on the bounce now and we were delighted to keep a clean sheet.

"I do enjoy it at centre-back. In the two games I've played there this season, we've kept clean sheets so that can only give us confidence to build on and go into the next game after the international break."

Indeed, United have conceded just one goal in their last five matches in all competitions. They've won all five and Dummett agrees with the old adage that good teams are built from the back.

"I think that's where it starts," he said.

"The teamwork has always been there but I think with a solid back four and solid midfield, and the pace we've got in attack, it's causing other teams problems and it's getting us wins."

Dummett has played in all five of those wins - three times at left-back and twice at centre-back.

But when pressed on which role he prefers, he replied: "I haven't really got one at the moment - I'm just happy to play in any game in any position that the manager picks me in.

"For me, I've just got to do my best in any position that the manager tells me to play in, so I'm happy to play anywhere."

And that applies to country as well as Club. He has linked up with Wales ahead of their big European Championships qualifier against Belgium and Chris Coleman can't fail to have been impressed by the versatility shown by the Magpies man.

Dummett's only cap so far came in a friendly against Holland in May but he said: "The manager watches the games and hopefully I get a chance in the games coming up, if not the next game against Belgium then the games after that.

"We're doing well at the moment - we're top of the group with seven points. Belgium's going to be a really tough game but hopefully we can get a win there."

Click here to watch the full nufcTV interview with Paul Dummett