Football: Tinsley's come of age with Rovers

Blues midfielder Ryan Tinsley.

He arrived here from England a little wet around the ears but in four months Ryan Tinsley reckons he's metamorphosed into a young man.

"That's what my mum and dad have said. They said I've grown up to become a man because that's what I came here to do," says the Bluewater Napier City Rovers midfielder, before travelling with the team today for a 2.30pm kick off against Tawa in the Lotto Central League match at Redwood Park, Wellington.

"They're very proud of me because they told me it's going to be a very big challenge coming here by myself at the age of 20. I've adapted well and I'm enjoying it."

With the Rovers perched on the second rung of the ladder the English import's enjoying the season.

"We're in the quarterfinals of the Chatham Cup so that's very exciting," he says as the Blues travel to Wellington to play dark horses Island Bay United, a Capital Premier League side competing a tier below Central League on Sunday, July 27, in a 2pm kick off.

Robertson had told him the standard here was high so it doesn't come as surprise how tough Central League and the cup are.

"That's the high standard of football I set myself up for so it's good."

Tinsley says his tireless attitude in the centre-mid position is paying off.

"I have a very good partnership with CG [Chris Greatholder] ... we get on very well on and off the pitch."

With seven goals to his credit, he is second in the Blues' golden boot race behind teenage striker Angus Kilkolly on 11.

"I've tried to attack and I've tried to help the team out so, to be fair, I'm pleased with my contribution."

Tinsley didn't enjoy taking an early shower after picking up two yellow cards in the cup match against Palmerston North Marist on June 15.

"I don't like missing games so it was disappointing getting a red card because I felt the first card should have been a caution."

The Nottingham Forrest/Leicester FC apprentice puts it down to a difference in interpretation between referees' here and Britain.

"In the UK, they are more lenient ... so the play is a lot more physical there."

He is adapting well but accepts it will take a while before he can be as adroit as coach/player Bill Robertson.

"I've worked hard so, hopefully, there'll be no more red cards."

Tinsley has found a niche in the Blues' collective spirit.

"We're like a family who get on, both on and off the pitch," Tinsley says, relishing training nights and team-bonding meals on Thursdays.

He stays in touch with his family in England via Facebook and Twitter and his family also follow the club's progress.

That the Rovers are undefeated at home adds to a fruitful season.

Tinsley is keeping his options open for summer for a fortnight, claiming a couple of ASB Premiership franchises had shown some interest in him.

Asked if Kinetic Electrical Hawke's Bay United is an option, the midfielder says: "It could be but there are other options out there."

While he and fellow import midfielder Miles John suffered in the Bay heat in autumn, they are enjoying a balmy winter.

"Getting out of winter, it'll be great to play in summer for whoever I play for."

He considers Robertson, John and Phil Dol great mentors.

He admires John for his versatility, embracing an unselfish passing game and scoring a few times.

"He's frustrated he's not scoring more goals but he's setting up goals and picking man-of-the-match awards."

Robertson says Greatholder will a serve a match suspension for his red card last weekend and Stu Wilson is also out for a cumulative five yellow-card suspension.

Josh Stevenson is away in Wellington with the Futsal Whites for the Transtasman Cup clashes.

"Matt Hastings is still not a father," says Robertson who is nursing a hamstring and may not play, either.

He says the Rovers have a different squad and Tawa are playing a different game to their 4-2 cup loss to the Blues on June 28 in the capital. "We're not reading too much into it."