Despite still seeing himself as an attacking player, Bruce Kamau is thriving for the revitalised Western Sydney Wanderers in an uncomfortable right wing-back position.
The 24-year-old was a standout performer during the Red and Black’s chaotic 5-2 victory over his former club Adelaide United on Friday night.
His trademark explosiveness in the final third has been on full display in recent weeks, however Kamau admits he is still adjusting to the additional defensive responsibility that the wing-back role entails.
“There were only a couple of games last season that we played that way so it’s definitely a new position for me,” he told The Football Sack.
“I guess it’s still a learning curve in that I have to be a bit more defensive-minded than on the wing where I’m used to playing.
“It’s something that I’ve been slowly adjusting to and trying to learn in order to help out the team.”
This season the Wanderers have mixed and matched their personnel and systems under Markus Babbel and Jean-Paul de Marigny.
Due to an unfortunate run of injuries, Kamau has felt the full effects of this inconsistency during his eight appearances this campaign.
While the former Adelaide United and Melbourne City man appreciates the minutes he has enjoyed in recent weeks, he maintains that his favoured position is further up the pitch.
“If I’m honest, I still see myself as a winger and that’s where I still like playing, but in order to help the team I’m happy to play in that position for now,” Kamau said.
“I’m most comfortable higher up the park on the wings but it’s up to the way the coaches want to play: if they want to put me as a wing-back I’m more than happy to be on the park to contribute to results.”
Kamau hopes his injuries are behind him and is ready to play an instrumental role in Western Sydney’s push for an unlikely finals berth.
“The injuries kind of came as a surprise to me because throughout all of pre-season I was injury free, really fit and doing well,” he said.
“Now that I’m back playing I’m making sure to do all the right things week in week out to make sure that I’m fit for selection.
“I’ve set some personal goals and as far the team goes I think it’s no secret that we still want to make the top six and make the finals.”
Feature image credit: Jaime Castaneda
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