JORDAN WYNTER has admitted that he never had any intentions of playing at centre-back after featuring there in Woking’s 2-1 win at AFC Fylde on Saturday afternoon.
The 23-year-old stared off his career with Arsenal before having spells at Cheltenham Town and Bristol City, where he played anywhere across the midfield.
However, after joining as a midfielder, Wynter has made four appearances at the heart of the Cards’ defence despite never having aspirations to play there, but has taken his chance in that position.
He told Woking FC TV: “I feel like I can do a lot better, but I’m still getting used to the position. I can play as a midfielder and also at right-back, but I did not have any intention of playing there.”
Wynter, who signed from Bromley at the end of June, missed out on the start of the season due to injury, before getting sent off for the U23s on his return to fitness.
This made him unavailable for the first-team, but after injuries to central defenders Richard Orlu and Joey Jones, Wynter revealed how his attributes were spotted by assistant manager Jason Goodcliffe.
“They saw that I was doing well when defending plays in training so Jason [Goodcliffe] had the idea of playing at centre-back.
“The chance arose after the injuries and I started playing there in training and I did well so I played against Maidstone.
“The result wasn’t great, but I had a decent there and from that moment, I’ve been able to pick up some momentum and build some confidence playing in that position.”
Wynter predominantly played at centre-back during his youth career, but then he pushed forward and did not look back, making 36 professional appearances in midfield, only playing in defence as cover.
The versatile midfielder still aspires to play in his natural position, but is content to be playing football, no matter what position he plays well in after a frustrating start to the season.
He said: “I had a chat with the manager and he said: ‘Keep doing well in training and your chance will come, but you have to take your opportunity’.
“It was pretty disheartening [not playing in the team], but that’s part of football and you just have to keep at it and once my chance came, I felt I was more prepared than the last time I played.
“I’m happy with the way the last couple of weeks have gone so let’s see how it continues.”
Orlu stepped up his recovery by being back running at AFC Fylde yesterday, but his replacement Wynter is not worried about the captain’s return, stating he wants the team to do well first.
Two goals in as many second half minutes from Joe Ward and a first goal for the club for Jamie Philpot secured a comeback victory in the North after Jordan Tunnicliffe’s 18th minute opener.
This moved Anthony Limbrick’s side up to sixth in the National League, just a point of the league leaders Sutton United with the top 13 sides being separated by just five points.
Woking host 17th-placed Hartlepool at the Laithwaite’s Community Stadium, after winning all but one of their home games so far this season, Wynter is confident that his side can perform.
“It might not be easy but we’ve noticed that we play better at home so we’re going into the game confident. Hopefully we don’t go into the game complacent and lose our momentum.”
Radio Woking Sport will be delivering FULL commentary of Woking’s clash with Hartlepool United – join Mark Francis and Scott Taylor on the Saturday Sports Show from 2pm.