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RedNation Online recently had the chance to catch up with Toronto FC left back Danleigh Borman following TFC’s last minute 1-0 defeat to the Seattle Sounders. As one of the players acquired in the trade of Dwayne De Rosario, the South African born defender is one of the new players brought into the Toronto fold as Head Coach Aron Winter looks to rebuild TFC into a team capable of excelling in a fast paced 4-3-3 formation. In this interview, Borman provides his thoughts on the challenges he faced in joining a new team, how he is adapting to playing under Winter, his experiences playing with the star studded New York Red Bulls and the potential inherent in the squad that TFC has assembled.
RedNation Online: Danleigh, you look like you have recently hit your stride over the last few games. How hard was it to adjust to a new team and a new tactical approach under Aron Winter?
Danleigh Borman: It’s obviously different. Coming off the bat and coming straight from a flight to play in the first game and not knowing any of the guys, it was a little bit difficult. But I am getting a better feel for the system and everything, including the style of play, so it’s much better now..
RedNation Online: Obviously, Aron prefers a system in which the fullbacks get forward and join the attack. Have you found the right balance with respect to when to move forward and when to sit back?
Danleigh Borman: Obviously it depends on what type of midfielder you are playing against. If he doesn’t defend, then I’m going to go, you know. I have a good feel for knowing when to go forward and when not to go forward..
RedNation Online: Alan Gordon is a player who has really thrived under TFC’s tactical approach. Do you think that Winter is playing a system that really plays to your strengths?
Danleigh Borman: I think so. I can get up and down the line. I can cross ball. That’s one of my strengths, overlapping and sending in a good ball. I think it fits my style of play.
RedNation Online: It’s been said that successful teams usually run out the same back four every week. For a number of reasons, including injuries, the TFC back line has been in a constant state of flux. How hard has it been to play in a back line that is constantly changing its personnel?
Danleigh Borman: That’s always hard. Ideally, you’d like to play with the same players every week. But I think we have now been playing with the same back four for the past couple of games, so that’s helping us a lot. We have been consistent and we have been playing well as a back line.
RedNation Online: Richard Eckersley also likes to get forward. Do you consciously sit back when he moves deep into the other end of the pitch?
Danleigh Borman: Yeah, you have to. If he goes forward, I come back instantly. And vice versa, if I go forward, then he drops back..
RedNation Online: Who are some of the fullbacks that you like and that you have modelled your game after??
Danleigh Borman: I like Patrice Evra and Roberto Carlos. I try to model my game after them.
RedNation Online: I spoke to Tony Tchani recently and he mentioned that as a member of the New York Red Bulls he learned a lot playing with Rafa Marquez. What did you take from playing with players like Marquez and Thierry Henry?
Danleigh Borman: You learn a lot. You can learn from their professionalism – how to act both on and off the field, as well as the hard work that you have to put in. They also are willing help you out a lot. They have a lot of experience, so they can teach you and help you with your game, so it is very good to play with guys like that.
RedNation Online: You are 26 now. Do you feel like you moving into your prime as a player?
Danleigh Borman: Yeah, I don’t think I’m in my prime yet, but I’m getting there. Maybe in a couple of years I will be there.
RedNation Online: Aron talks about TFC as a rebuilding team. How do you like how the team is shaping up and what do you think about the potential for the team in the future?
Danleigh Borman: I think we have the players, the system, the facilities and the fans. I think there is definitely something that we can work on and build on. We have the players and the system to be a strong side.
RedNation Online: The team has suffered some difficult losses this year and today (against the Sounders) was another match that did not end up going Toronto’s way. As a team that is still coming together and developing, are there any positives that you can take from a last minute loss?
Danleigh Borman: It was an unbelievable free kick from Fredy Montero. I take my hat off to him. In the 90th minute, that will kill you. He is a good player and it’s just unfortunate that the ball went in. We had our chances during the game when we should have scored. You have to take positives (from the rest of the match). Seriously, I don’t think we deserved to lose the game. We had most of the chances. They had one chance and they scored on it from a free kick. Sometimes it is like that in football and you have to take your hat off to them and just say well done.
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