In a season where there have been plenty of breakout stars, from the Toure brothers in Adelaide to Jerry Skotadis at Western United, there is a case building that Cameron Devlin is the A-League’s most improved player.
Having played a miserly 78 minutes in seven appearances last season for champions Sydney FC, Devlin has taken his opportunity at Ufuk Tulay’s Wellington Phoenix with both hands, playing 1072 minutes with nine games still to play.
Devlin’s impact in Wellington’s midfield has been so great that Alex Rufer, a constant in their side for some time, has been pushed out from his regular starting berth. Devlin and Ville Matti Steinmann are now clearly Talay’s preferred anchors in the middle of the park.
The former Sydney midfielder’s greatest strength is how effectively he shields his back four. Phoenix have only conceded 22 goals largely because opponents struggle to penetrate the area behind the midfield thanks to Devlin’s active approach to defending.
The 21-year-old has the most successful defensive actions (13.18) per 90 minutes compared to all A-League central midfielders, emphasising just how busy he is. His energy is especially crucial for Talay as his team can often be caught on the counter-attack, so Devlin’s awareness and stamina to get into the right areas ensures they don’t concede in transition.
While defensive numbers can sometimes be a bit misleading – a team that makes a lot of tackles might not be good at defending, they might just be required to make a lot because of poor positioning, for example – Devlin is nonetheless one of the better defensive midfielders in the league.
Although his defensive attributes make him a good holding midfielder, it’s his calmness on the ball to build up possession quickly and safely which makes him a great one. As well as topping the charts defensively, he also completes the most passes in the midfielder category with an accuracy rate of 90.26 per cent.
It’s not that his passes are sideways or backwards either. The Wellington man has very strong numbers when it comes to passes entering the final third (7.14 per 90 mins) as well as progressing the ball from deep as well.
While speaking to the A-League, Devlin simply and accurately depicted his role within the team.
“I feel very comfortable on the ball, getting the ball, moving the ball and starting the play.
“In defence I kind of just like ratting around and being a bit of a menace.”
Devlin also has that sort of attitude where he will never give up on a ball, no matter how hopeless it might be. While that is not a particularly tactical observation or one that can be backed up by stats, it is certainly an attribute that any manager would be desperate to have in their own team.
Although Devlin has only recorded one assist so far this season, he has, in flashes, shown that he could potentially operate as a more attack-minded midfielder as he continues to gain experience.
The midfielder clearly has the creativity to beat the last lines of opposition defences as well as the first in earlier phases of possession, which might make him a great candidate to become a number 10 or a ‘free 8′ midfielder in the future.
If there is an area where Devlin needs to improve, it is in the attacking third where he has only taken three shots all season. While he has a brilliant forward line-up ahead of him, including Mexican star Ulises Davila and former Celtic striker Gary Hooper, he needs to grow a bit more courage to take a shot when he has no pressure from defenders.
Devlin’s growth was rewarded as he won the December player of the month, however it’s still not certain whether his performances have been enough to convince Graham Arnold that he should play for the Olyroos at the Olympics.
Domestically, Devlin will play an important part in the rest of Wellington’s season, and if they are to have a genuine chance of winning the championship, it could come down to whether he continues to improve to make him not only the most improved player in the competition, but one of the A-League’s best as well.
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
Yes I agree with you . Financially I expect Yokohama to beat Sydney . However, probably through inexperience Corica imo did not exactly set up Sydney with a fighters chance . But I hope by the end of the group stage , maybe at win 2 games, ideally get through .. that would be a terrific achievement and better then winning the A league when he inherited the best squad plus Kosta ( what were Victory thinking) Obviously Popovic has set the benchmark for overachievement in the acl . Some of all time great managers have staked their claim by taking minnows to great heights , Ferguson in Scotland winning titiles with Aberdeen and then a cup winner cup . This is getting harder to see happening again .
Punter
Roar Rookie
I only banter on here Kangga, I don't take it all serious.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Manly was my team Kangga, they now in the NPL, but was never in the NSL. It is funny how you say SFC has a stronger squad due to having most money should be leading by 10 pts, but make no mention that Yokohama has 10 times SFC budget in our defeat by them. I know in the NRL the ball is egg shaped & can bounce very differently, but in football the bounce is pure because the ball is round, normally, so when discussing financial power try not to show your bias. If SFC are expected to be 10 pts clear of A-League because money bring success, you’d expect Yokohama to over come SFC when their budget is 10 times bigger.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Football skills in this country is behind, because countries like Peru & Japan has invested in skills above physical abilities, which is what football in this country has always produced. We are not alone here, most of the English speaking world got hit by the new Barcelona/Spain way. England has struggled in WCs last 2-3 world cups & countries like Scotland doesn't even look like getting to WCs. Even the PL clubs, some of the biggest clubs in the world, look to foreign coaches & foreign players bringing the English clubs back to the top of Europe. This is where Australia is left behind the Japans & Perus & even Koreas, let alone the top European or Sth American clubs.. The sport itself is doing well in this country, not at full capacity, lots of agendas, but this has happened for ever with football in this country. As for put down of NRL or AFL, not sure what you are saying. I don't follow the games too closely & have little to discuss there, I just defend those having a go at the A-League on here. I rarely go to the NRL & AFL tabs to put them down
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
The jeckyll abd hyde is undoubtably due to constant night shift brain fog , which can lead to exaggeration. Although I think my exaggeration are obviously bantering. But is it ok , to call it as I see it . Asian football is getting ahead of us . I love watching Japan teams play, now if we played like that I’d be stoked . Don’t know if my other posts went through, but I’m not cheerleading Corica until he wins something with a team that’s his against Wealthy opposition. I actually Popovic pants him in the league last year .
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
There were plenty of football clubs in the 80s in Australia that were non nationality or maybe Sydney was different . Our northern Nsw comp had rosebuds and Weston , lakes Edgeworth, all produced Socceroos or even one played for Liverpool, one made it to Watford. We did the ethnic clubs too, which was terrific. We had great crowds at those games . Those clubs decided to form a national league which had no ethnic control Anyhow, that’s history I just see the grand standing about Corica as ridiculous. He took over the best players,( not exactly ccm ). he didn’t win the comp last year , just 2 cup games . Nothing amazing , he’s no Alex Ferguson yet . This season , has the best squad plus Kosta . He should be leading by 10 points .. money brings success. First challenge he gets against a stringer club , he gets humiliated by Yokohama . So he looks out of his depth . Seriously punter , the jury is well and truly out If Corica can make the semi finals of the ACL, that would be worth high praise . Winning the A league is a formality with that squad .
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
So are you saying I’m wrong and the 2019-20 Socceroos are better then mediocre or a team of modest talent, of course it’s relative to Asia and the world ? We have the 11 th ranked domestic league in Asia. Yes we qualify for world cups , we don’t play a one off play off against South America anymore either. I think Peru showed us in the World Cup how a play off would have worked out . You are ecstatic because your club is top of the league, I would be too , but the big picture is Australia is dropping down still , no amount of Sydney fc glory is masking where we are at . But if yiu want to just focus on domestic success then its hypocritical how you put down nrl or afk fans .
Punter
Roar Rookie
Kangga, you are a regular Dr Jeckyl & Mr Hyde sort of character, methinks. 'The world is moving further ahead of us' YES. 'The most mediocrce period in 120 years' a bit doom & gloom don't you think? 3 straight qualification world cups, 1 Asian cup, despite the drop in crowds, A-League still managing 10K average, higher then anytime prior to A-league (at least 1970 onwards). SFC top of the table. Clubs playing, (yes outplayed by teams where investment in football far greater then Australia) in Asia & competing. Football, even live football from around the world, so much even an addict like me can't keep up. In the 80s & 90s, I watching the socceroos, every 4 years, club football unles you belonged to nationality was not really there, football was scarce on tv & I was following St George in the NRL. Yes, give me the mediocrity of now any day.
Micko
Roar Rookie
I want to go there one day. Fell in love with the place just by watching the Supercars race and watching a couple of videos (like that). Looks like a great place to live.
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XEglk8a1vpA
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
We got Mathew Johns , Andrew Johns , Daniel Johns Commonly known as se x drug$ and rock n roll
Micko
Roar Rookie
Andrew Johns Silverchair
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
Our 120 history ., Ok I wasn’t around the 1900-1970 period.
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
11th best competition in Asia according to official rankings . Crow all you want , this is possibly the most mediocre period in 120 year history of the sport . The world is moving further ahead of us . Seriously Corica got humiliated 2 weeks ago when he faced a decent team . So if he’s the best , god help us .
Shabab Hossain
Expert
All for it mate, that series looks awesome. Can't wait.
Punter
Roar Rookie
AGO74, I think both contenders of coach of the year come from the Sydney FC system, Ufuk & Corica.
AGO74
Guest
I tell you Punter, that’s a terrible legacy! Don’t forget that one of the coach of the year contenders ufuk talay also came out of the Sydney FC system.
AGO74
Guest
Isn’t he injured a fair bit which is stunting his progress?
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Don’t want to hijack your article Shabab, but Optus Sport will be screening a new series on Australian football called ‘Football belongs’ starting 11 March. It’s about how post WWII Euro immigrants built many of our successful clubs and the players that came from those clubs. Seems like must viewing. OK back to this article :thumbup:
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
That’s a good lineup