Richard Eckersley has spoken highly of new Toronto FC head coach Paul Mariner following his appointment late last week.

The former Arsenal and England striker replaced Aron Winter after the Dutchmn guided TFC to a poor start to the 2012 MLS season and Eckersley says it has been a positive move after playing under Mariner while on loan at Plymouth Argyle from Burnley in 2010.

"I've known him for three or four years now," Eckersley said. "He was the main reason I came here.

"His enthusiasm on the pitch. You can see everyone in training when he speaks everyone wants to do more and give everything for him.

"And the door is always open so that if you have a problem then you can go and see him ... what you see is what you get. That's important as a manager to be like that and I think he brings that to the team."

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