IF Newcastle United bad boy Craig Bellamy needs lessons on how to play 'out of position' he need look no further than Express Sport's player of 2004 Paul Harsley.

The 26-year-old midfielder was recruited as an emergency wing-back by Brian Horton all the way back in September when Graham Potter was suspended, and has since impressed in the role following the injury to Mark Bailey.

A popular figure with Silkmen fans since John Askey signed him almost a year ago - Harsley had a simple message for the Welsh trouble magnet.

'I don't know what's going on at Newcastle United, and I'm not a multi-million pound superstar like Bellamy, but I am a professional footballer and you play where you are asked to.

'I like to play midfield, but I have been to plenty of clubs where the manager asks you to play in a different position.

'It's been a challenge to me, particularly when I had to play on the left. It's nice to have your own position in the team, but you've got to be picked first.'

Harsley will celebrate a year at the Moss Rose in February, and few are better placed to assess the changes which have taken place at the club.

'It's unbelievable really. I was only to talking to the lads about it the other day.

'Four of us joined at the same time last year - myself, Jon Parkin, Graham Potter and Stevie Payne, and we knew the first job was to keep the club safe.

'We did that, but this season we've had a different job at the other end of the table.

'They were both enjoyable in their own way, but to see the way things are now is pretty amazing.'

Express Sport readers voted Harsley as their player of calendar year 2004, pipping Matt Tipton to the honour by six points.

'To be voted as the best player over the last year is great, although it's usually the end of the season that you get these kind of things.

'I've really enjoyed my time here, and we've got to make sure that we push on now and keep things going until the end of the season.'

Tweet