This content is an in-depth interview with Australian football legend John Aloisi, discussing his formative years, extensive playing career across Europe and Australia, and his transition into coaching. It highlights the challenges, resilience, and lessons learned throughout his journey in professional football.
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ladies and gentlemen we are here at iron
bank for a very very special episode but
before we get into who we're talking to
to my left we have number 10 somewhere over
over
there somewhere over there next to him
CFO GD and we are joined
by the man himself socceroo Legend coach
of West United John ELO let's clap him
up this is huge this is huge was I
supposed to have a nickname as well when
I first I first came on the show as a
guest these guys did this weird
introduction I'm like what the [ __ ] have
I walked into and then yeah he had the
same reaction as me what did they call
you what what did they call you in your
playing days um Johnny was mainly just
Johnny yeah yeah simple Johnny simple
Johnny simple Johnny have too many
nicknames first of all I want thank
Western United John nick uh everyone at
the club M Mel uh Jason everyone that's
shown us around today that's had time
for us the players it's been absolutely
amazing the hospitality has been
incredible um but let's get into it um
John I want to start with your
childhood obviously you've got your
brother as well we we want to know what
it was like in Adelaide in the backyard
but growing up the competition talk to
us about your upbringing and sort of
what helped shape you become who you are
today from your childhood yeah a lot
really um because my first of all my dad
he loved sport um he played he arrived
in Australia at 9 years old and to sort
of uh integrate himself into the
Australian way with his brothers they
played Cricket in the summer and his
brothers played Aussie rules but he
played uh soccer football and uh so when
I started growing up my dad was already
coaching under 18 to adelade city and
then um ended up pushing on to coach n
for a lot of years in Adelaide and I had
my brother who was you know into sport
as well and playing uh football at an
early age so I had them to look up to
and um so every day we do something in
the backyard or play some sort of sport
whether it was Table Tennis whether it
was cricket whether it was soccer
whether it was um just you know taking
catches classic catches whatever it was
we'll be playing classic Aussie kids
summer yeah that's right and there was a
lot of Windows
broken there was a lot of fights um and
and it taught me to be first of all
resilient and strong and to have that
determination to be better than my
brother um because he was three years
older so he was always physically
stronger to a certain point and
then sorry sorry
Ros so I was I was really I'm grateful
that I had that upbringing that I had my
brother and my dad that were into sports
so much I want to talk about my sisters
as well because they had to put up with
all that you I had I had three sisters
and my mom that um used to drive us
everywhere but we we loveed that sport
so you were saying before off camera
that um you know Italian background how
ingrained in the culture were you how
like immersed in the culture were you
Adelaide big Italian culture there as
well similar to Melbourne what was that
did that play a massive part in your
upbringing or were you more like you
know what I'm Aussie and we do things
the Aussie way yeah we'll put it this
way on our street uh we're all Italians
y uh my grandmother lived next door uh
my Auntie and Uncle live next door on
this side 500 M down the road were my
other grandparents and uh and so we
really we were Italian growing up
Italian yeah Australian Italian year of
course we still had a lot of Australian
things that uh we grew up with and we
loved uh for instance you know the
cricket um but we uh you know Italian
culture and I would never shy away from
it it was it's something that I'm now
looking back I go oh how good was it
that we made the homemade tomato sauce
or how good was it that we made the
homemade salami or or the how spoil were
we with some of the food that we could
bring to school and you know sometimes
people used to tease us what's in that lunch
lunch
box but you know the Jud
which is like a mix of you know the
olive oil with the sort of vegetables in
there with the p with the cheese
The Bullying from here with that that's
ridiculous but you know what I I'm lucky
that I grew up with eating that sort of
food now that sort of food you're paying
20 odd bucks to get a panini yeah it's
ridiculous man I still do a bit of
you um
so fast forward into
you go overseas at 16 yeah yeah I went
to The Institute of sport first y so I I
played um I was with ATL City from 14 in
the National League side Squad y uh
training and then I made my debut at 15
um for adate City but the a lot of you
guys wouldn't know this cuz you're too
young but back then um ADL city were top
side oh yeah they had aelo vidmar Tony
vidmar um Milan Ivanovic these are
talking about national team players Alex
Tobin Robbie Zaba Ernie tapy calv um all
these players and so to even just be
training with them was was such a great
learning experience and had zor Matic so
I knew how to take uh a spray or two he
didn't shy away from it at all uh my
brother was there and my debut was
against Melbourne Knights old Melbourne
CA and it was back what year was this
what year this this is uh 92 92 so I'm
still at school I'm in year 11 uh Ross
Trevor College's school I went to in
Adelaide and so on the Sunday I think it
was the game was and um it was at Cooper
old high Marsh and there was about
15,000 people there and uh and the
creation community in ad is quite big so
it was a a big rivalry and um I came on
the last 10 minutes to go my brother
started the game got subbed off I went
on about 5 minutes later and the first
thing I did was pick up the ball and
just start running with it I was so
excited and you know no one could catch
me I was that you know not that I was
that fast but I just felt like I was
gliding and then the next tackle uh this
uh and I'll say his name he's he's
probably a good guy but at the time he
was quite hard uh toich Mark toich he he
he tackled me and I went to the ground
and you I fell down we leading at the
time and uh so I thought I'll stay on
the ground he pushed my face into the
ground and um so all of a sudden I
didn't know what happened but 10 seconds
later I see my brother there and I there
you go I go Ross what are you doing here
he goes I come to see if you're okay I
go what do you mean he goes there's
people that have jumped the fence three
of our supporters jumped the fence and
went to punch to and uh and so the next
day knowing that you know that football
soccer back in those days was never
front page it was front page
because didn't have my name that I made
my but when I walked into the school I
felt like a king but a a 15-year-old I
mean NL NL were you one of the were you
the youngest player or one one of the
youngest yeah that's period there one of
the youngest that's ever they can you
can you talk about maybe your process
from let's say 10 to 15 cuz they're I
mean puberty years and from what I'm
seeing now I mean obviously playing a
lot of young players but 15-year-old
playing first team football in a in a
men's changing room you know
environments where people are pushing
your face into the ground that's P NSL
era too really like that what was that
period like that 12 to 15 let's say I
was I was say at at say 10 11 12 I I
thought I was doing okay but I I was
probably um I think that I start to
really start to really improve was at
that between the age of 13 and 14
because there were players that were
playing um in my age group but they were
getting selected for State teams and I
wasn't and I'd been missed out on the
final card and so you know I would be
upset and my dad would goes well you
know what that means you need to train
harder you need to be better you need to
work more um so that all of a sudden
that was my mindset I need to work I
need to be better than than the others I
need to put in more hours um whether
that was playing you know in the
backyard my brother or doing stuff by
myself or during that period of 14 um we
had the old uh National Youth League
that used to play in the summer and and
my dad was the coach he didn't select me
because I wasn't quite there yet but I
trained All That Summer with the
National Youth League and then it
overlapped with the npl season and that
npl season um my dad was also the coach
but they were playing both teams at one
stage at the same time so he couldn't
use these players for both uh games so I
ended up having to play in the PE at 14
I come home I was kicking the ball at
the backyard and my dad goes you ready
for tomorrow and I go well what do you
mean he goes y you're starting tomorrow
and we're playing against um White City
which was called Big grab back then it
was a Serbian Club in adelay and I
started and and I played well and um
after the game zor mati our coach went
up to my dad and said um you have to
make sure you play your son from now on
he's uh he needs to play he's at a level
now that we need to to see him play week
in week out so at 14 I was playing npl
and and I think that having good
experienced people around and good
people Aurelia vidma he took me under
his wing at a very early age and you
know I used to stay after training talk
to him um do stretching back then who
did stretching after training but
Aurelio taught us that skill set and so
I'm again it's uh I was fortunate to be
around a lot of good people stretching
that were smoking cies well a few of
them were Johnny before we go into your
playing career can you just touch on cuz
we've spoken a lot about the development
Pathways and the shift over the last
sort of five six years and I feel like I
was one of the last to experience what
you experienced with the Institute and
sort of the State team feed programs
going in but now obviously you're seeing
the academy setup and yours arguably is
probably the best or one of the best in
the country because of how many playing
in the first team but what is your two
cents on the shift in model because
you've kind of seen both sides yeah look
I think that there was room back then
definitely for The Institute I can
understand why it's not there now
because we've got a an academy setup we
got three a league sides in Melbourne
that have got Academy setups and if you
set it up right you should be good
enough to still produce players and
there'll still be players that are
outside that Academy setup that are in
uh local clubs here that eventually
might come across Dylan Leonard good
example he was at Port Melbourne until
last year and we got him across last
season to play in our npl system it was
only 16 um so it doesn't mean that you
have to have had all those years in the
academy um but what the the shift that's
been good I think is that now these
Academy sides are playing in the npl and
are competing really well and so they're
getting ready now for that next step
which is a league um there was a period
there where there were no real Academy
sides um that if you know the the local
npl product you're training two nights a
week if you're playing under 18s is that
enough whereas we went to The Institute
of sport we're training every
day um so that's changed now with theems
and you look at you know we talk about
ours but you look at Melbourne City you
look at Melbourne Victory but also
Sydney FC wonders they're doing an
amazing job Adel got a different model
Adel has still got the NTC programs um
and I think that Adela have got it down
packed cuz they're the only Club in that
state so no going to go anywhere else
but at United um so they've been able to
produce the right players and the local
teams have got on board there the the
local n clubs are gone okay we know they
you're going to take out players when it
gets to a certain stage and we're
comfortable with that because we support
at doesn't seem to happen too much here
huh some push back well they're bringing
the they're bringing the NTC program
here aren't there which is like well
there's some teams that even threatened
to leave onto the a league squads in the
cies plays you mean yeah that's stupid
yeah it's crazy um right so playing
Korea moving to Europe at 16 to Belgium
right yeah well what was that culture
shock like yeah ad a to that was that
was tough was it Li first it was LE
first how did that come
about so did you want to ask oh I just
wanted to ask actually yeah it was funny
how it came about I was at Adela City
cuz I went to The Institute of sport
with I had a like I was there for about
eight months but what a group we had we
had vuka skoko crazy more we we had so
many amazing plays within that group um
but then I I went back to adelade City
at the age of 16 um and I thought I was
going to play more regular football I
wasn't but then there was a Serbian
player uh his name was Nea abovich and
um he goes don't even stay here he goes
go to Europe now and I'm going where am
I going to go who's going to get me
there he goes I got an agent and um
he'll be able to organize a trial for
you so went on trial um during the
season I went uh just after I think it
was just before Christmas time hardest
time uh yeah oh it was freezing I
remember the first training session it
was like - 7° I'm going how I can't feel
my feet it's not in
Beach you know what I mean what am I
supposed to do here my dad came over
with me and my dad's not the best
traveler at the best of times and after
two weeks they said they want to sign me
and U my dad goes look if you want to
have a career in football I think it's
best you stay he goes but I couldn't do
it were you still at school then I just
finished school okay yeah yeah your dad
said he couldn't do it in that situation
wow and you've just taken off because
that was my dream was you fly on your
own back there yeah I flew my way on my
own back and you had no obviously there
was no social media anything so you just
random in December in winter in Belgium
I didn't know like anything I hadn't
dressed I had like sumers shoes on I did
the same and got [ __ ]
over so you had to grow up pretty
quickly like I I couldn't uh they they
threw me into an apartment and um they
locked the door and whatever and the
next morning I was trying to open the
door I couldn't open the door what do I
do I'm going how am I do I have to climb
out the window and I was in the training
facility but it was my own apartment and
I and I was like they they were cooking
for me at the you know the facility
there so that was okay um
but no one spoke any English or they
didn't want to speak to you in English
it was French speaking but I was there
for six months then I moved to Raw antp
which was the Flemish part and a lot
easier um because they they English
speaking um is that right so the Flemish
Parts speak more English than the French
oh the French didn't speak English so
what was it like can I ask Johnny when
you got there in terms of the standard
of football that you were used to
playing and then you've you know gone to
Belgium was there a big difference from
what you were used to here um not at
that cuz I wasn't in the first team at
leer I was more in that that second team
um the standard was was good but it was
more the just the professionalism of
them and and the way that they can run
like we you know we thought that we
could run CU we we could you know us
Australians but they over there they
would like every um you know first day
back was was running in the forest and I
was like oh my God we need to go to the
forest again the [ __ ] 5K running the
forest that was our recovery 5K running
the forest
yeah and these new footballers have it
easy serious can you take us back to
maybe like I remember my first month in
those environments in another country
learning new language and different
types of personalities getting like
little things getting locked inside your
room little things that are like is it
worth it yeah starting to think is it
worth do you remember what your mindset
was those first let's say three two
weeks yeah oh the first couple of weeks
were defitely hard but I would say the
first few years for me were were tough
like I was still a kid from Adelaide
that with my mom used to make my bed and
cook for me and do everything for me so
all of a sudden all I moved away from
the Le went to antp and I had to
actually start to cook for myself didn't
know how to cook um and then the players
they you know what it's like they don't
care about you like you're there you
have to be better than them or else
you're not playing um then no one's
going to go oh are you feeling down
today or are you a little bit tired or
you a little bit sick the teames over
there if you want to get that was no
team you know what I mean that doesn't
happen contacting your parents and
family reverse charge reverse charge
what was the what was it um the one in
Australia ah yeah I don't know but every
time so yeah also had a girlfriend back
home that old call back and then then it
would always be reverse charge but half
my her wages definitely went on on the
telephone so people that forget there's
no internet there's no YouTube there's
no on the YouTube but there's no nothing
there's there's nothing social media
wise so ringing home was a big deal and
uh and so there was letters being
written I wasn't very good writer so um
I didn't write too many letters so it
was tough so that's why I say the first
2 and a half years were I'd sometimes
cry at night going what the hell you
know how am I going to get through
certain periods if you got injured or
you're not playing or lack of form who
do you turn to if you're a lack of
form I think that's the biggest thing
that people don't understand when you do
go overseas like obviously social media
now is so much easier to maintain in
contact with your friends and and family
where back them would have been so hard
and when you go get in those moments of
injuries or whatever would have been so
tough yeah it was tough again and and
this is the the lucky thing that I had
Aurelio vidma was playing in Belgium at
the time so every day off we had we
would catch up so we catch up for lunch
or or spend the whole day and and I
could sort of speak to him about the
difficulties and he would you know
understand because he had been through
it and his experiences so I remember
like to show that I was there and I was
going to compete uh there was a in anwe
there was this
younger uh he was from Belgium but it
was from that area didn't speak much
English he uh he was kicking me in
training I just booting the [ __ ] out of
me and I'm like this guy again he's
coming for me he's coming for me and
then he would say something to me in
that you know in Flemish and I didn't
understand and then I go you know what
I'm going to have to show that I belong
so next time he came for me as soon as I
saw him coming I just went whack and I
whacked him across the the lips and he's
bleeding and he's losing it and he comes
at me again I just go whack again and
then from then on he didn't say a word
to me didn't come near me and then the
other players respected me and I don't
say that you should do that but I had to
show that I'm not going to fear anyone
here every football has that story
that's a great point you make because I
feel like even when we were overseas and
undera at River it was so common that
new player comes in they come in first
day hide their clothes and they're
freaking out they're wondering where's
their stuff you know and it's such a
common thing in football when like a new
player comes in that they kind of get
like through that bully that stage and
then they need to get over that or stand
up for themselves and then it's like all
right he's on board yeah so going to
antp was that easier because you were a
bit more used to the
Belgium I know they're two different
regions but did you find it easier like
going there cuz You' settled in a bit
more yeah it was a little bit easier and
it was easier because I started to um
make my uh first you know team
appearances I was 17 came on the first
game scored so it sort of like gives you
a little bit of uh not only belief
within yourself but the rest of the
group the fans sort of go okay he's an
Australian but he can play and at the
time Australians were pretty well
respected in Belgium still frowned upon
because we're Aussies kangaroos they'
call us but we had a number of Aussies
that did well Eddie kovich Frank Fino
aelia vidmar Graham Arnold Paul oon so
we had a a pretty good name then were
you guys playing in Europe when you were
at ANW no yeah just started well we did
play in Europe we played against
Newcastle um that would have been a good
Newcastle team back then good Andy Cole
was there andy Cole wow yeah they had
some good players I didn't end up
playing in that game but our team was
quite strong in Belgium of that period
so again we could spend hours on on each
club and all that your next move
cremon how did you find that again what
was different between Italy and and
Belgium like what what was the
difference there Belgium football was
Big Italy football was life that stage C
was the biggest league in the world yep
um you know I thought I was going there
as an Italian you know because I an
Italian pass but I was still only class
as a foreigner so in every team you only
allowed three foreigners back then and I
I moved in uh around December January
something like that and my team were
well and truly in relegation so there
was 18 teams and four teams got
relegated so you're if you're pretty
much outside that top 10 you're in
relegation fight I think you were the
youngest foreign player in s up until
like recently uh I think to score the
quickest goal to yeah to score the
quickest goal in debut so I started
against um bar yeah and um and scored so
after a few minutes or or is it that one
was pet chenza anyway I scor I started
really well and so I thought okay you
know this is good but then I soon
realized when the results weren't going
well and I wasn't scoring the first want
to get the blame was the striker and the
Foreigner and you're
both and I didn't know how to deal with
it I was still only 19 and and I
struggled I I really did the time in
Italy I really struggled because in
Italy when you're doing well yeah you
can do what you want and go out and you
know even go for coffee and you know go
for ice cream or if you want to go for a
drink and have a good meal when you're
doing bad don't get don't set foot out
of that house in your region that you're
playing in because you will get abused
and um and so I didn't know how to take
that I'm getting like when you're going
into a restaurant and and the waiter's
looking you like you're an idiot or the
the chef doesn't want to serve you and
you go what I'm you're kidding wasn't
that bad but after someone explained to
me the reason why and I sort of get it
um Crona is a little town so cremon if
they played Si would have Juventus come
into town uh Milan into town and so
that's good for the economy good for
restaurants bars everything and when
you're getting relegated now you're
having you know a Regina coming into
town they're not traveling from Rego
Calabria up to so the economy dies a
little bit so that's their livelihood
that they're worried about as their
livelihood depends on incredible it
depends on you to score goals that's
right so they're going like and then we
got police escorted out of our own
stadium once with the with the Italian
defenses like that in that period That's
I mean renowned for some great games and
players as a striker young striker was
that like an initiation period and
brutal we played against a Milan so they
had at the back they had Bazi who
probably one of the alltime great
Italian Defenders Paulo Maldini Costa CA
um and then in in Midfield you know they
had like the best players you had bad
joichi boban you had all these players
but I remember playing against beri and
and I felt like yeah I'm on here and he
would just lead me into an area that
like I couldn't cause damage or that the
balls coming out to me he just little
nudg that I'll get off balance but it's
not enough to give a foul and and it was
like I've never like played in a game G
I had zero chance of scoring wow is it
the dark arts of what they do or is it
is it like a mental War it was just that
the the the Italian smart of having
knowing how to defend and at that time
Milan were virtually unplayable that in
terms they didn't concede chances didn't
concede goals um capillo was there at
that time they they had an an
unbelievable team and I was just like
wow they they they're very good I think
Maldini said if you have to like lunge
for a tackle you've already made a
mistake like if you have to go and slide
tackle someone you've made a mistake
your positioning is not good enough
that's how well they read it like
especially him like it was it didn't
even look like he was breaking a sweat
or getting out of first gear cuz he read
the game so well yeah he was so good
like physically he was a beast as well
so he had everything as as a so he
started off as a fullback and then he
played as a center Center back but he
had everything all the attributes you
need for a top top world-class Defender
he was tall he was strong uh lightning
quick technically very good and very
hard so he uh he's a winner and plus he
was good-look which Italian wasn't back
I feel like the whole team did you find
it easier after your experiences in in
Italy playing against some of those
defenses when you went to the UK I
actually yeah I not that I found it easy
you never find it easy but I I learned
that you in Italy you had to make two or
three movements to get away from a
Defender so then when you're doing it in
uh in a league that's probably not as
renowned for their defending it's easier
to find Space so the Italian like the
Italians even though I probably didn't
have the best of times there it actually
helped me develop my game right and what
about mentally John like it sounds like
you were just sort of thrown the deep
end with a lot of this stuff and you're
still quite young you know at all these
we're not even yeah we're not even like
kind of covering how young he is playing
at this level it's yeah it's quite
unbelievable that you're so young um and
you're gone overseas and you're having
these experiences what do you think it
was about I guess your
personality that you feel helped you
survive in those scenarios do did you
feel like more mature than your
counterparts your mates at home that
were your age outside of football or
yeah I felt more mature than than most
my friends that I grew up with because I
had a already life experience of of
living away from home people living in
different countries having to actually
you know and and sometimes people want
to uh do wrong by you so you have to you
have to get Street Smart pretty quickly
this is the other thing that I wanted to
say every you're kind of renowned for
being a very nice person which as a
footballer you know like everyone says
you need to be a bit of a I won't use
the did you have white line like bit bit
of Ross about you at all
yeah I reckon I have more of Ross about
me than what people think yeah I you had
to you had to especially growing up in
in the era that we were playing in there
was no V MH so like Defenders they would
like behind play step on your toe spit
on you do do whatever it took to put you
off your game so you had to be a little
bit a couple of times I got caught in
terms of I got a red card uh in Italy um
it was in CB against against Sana I
remember my um I had my wife she came to
the game cuz we got married really young
but she had family down near Naples and
um and I'm this guy's kicking me on the
corner and and I thought that you know
no one could see and I just went bang
that he's got me he got me a red card
comes out and I'm walking underneath the
stand and this is the main stand where
all their their Ultras were and getting
cigarette lighters coins pelted at me so
but I had to have a little bit of that
to survive what you know you know as um
it's a doggy dog world and and and we
had to to survive and to actually get
through certain situations you had to
have a little bit of a but I also know
that I went through some dark times as
well as a player when you're going
through this bad period in Italy you
don't know how to deal with it um media
is smashing you like like papers they
Mark you out of 10 you know some of your
teammates are getting seven eight and
you're getting a two you're like and it
shouldn't bother you but but it does
when you're that age I I guarantee yeah
I agree and then that all the local
radios are this he's rubbish he
shouldn't be playing we should get rid
of him and then you got the not that I'm
listening to it people telling me what they're
they're
saying I take get to heart when someone
says they disagree with my take on the
podcast let alone the whole Italian media
media
so it do that there how does pompy pompy
was a blessing because again like I I
was suffering a little bit in uh in
Italy and and also I felt that my form
was like going backwards and and
confidence is low so I needed to take a
step back to go forwards again and um at
the time Terry venal was our national
team coach and he was the chairman and
owner of Portsmouth and he goes why
don't you come to to pompy and um wait
did you say he was the manager of
England and the chairman of no manager
of Australia oh sorry yeah I was going
to say right Australia at the time but
he was also the chairman of Portsmouth that's
that's
crazy can you do that conf I mean it was
a conflict of interest definitely but
for me it was about playing football the socaro
socaro
coach Club get minut play so I I went to
Portsmouth and I started off again
really well and um scoring a lot of
goals the pompy fans were amazing yeah
loved it if they saw you trying and saw
that you gave your all they they're
backing you is what's the what's the
main fan there is his name Big John or
something there like it's big joh the
one that rings the bell yeah so that's
the one team I used to love so is that
different to Italy so in in England you
try in Portsmouth you try your best
right in in it it score you better score
you you could be having the worst game
your touch could be going there to the
door away but if you scored a goal you
done your job in zag style you know what
English people love workhorses they
don't care like they'll they might even
cheer harder if you crunch someone than
if you
score at the start like I'm I'm asking
the ball you know in certain areas cuz I
want to combine and and the guy puts one
in the channel you know turn around and
they going why aren't you running I'm
not going to get there did you find that
cuz you're I'd say you're a footballer
but actually you compliment like you
said this the other week on Paramount
about uh btic and Ibuki that they're the
plays that they can score at any moment
which you kind of will like that but in
in from a premier league standpoint did
you find stylistically that hard to
adjust to because it's very Route One in
some regards F I actually enjoyed
England in terms of it was pretty open
okay yeah so we there was back then
there was a lot of chances created okay
um so when I was at Portsmouth the the
first year like I said were doing well
and then all of a sudden we had a lot of
Australians there Craig was there Robbie
Enis and all that but then Terry venal
left and the new owner come came in and
also new coach manager and he got rid of
all the Australians and wanted to get
rid of me and I I had nowhere else to go
so um at the end of the offseason he
goes you're going to come back you're
going to be my seventh Choice Striker so
so you're really not going to play yeah
it was ridiculous I'm going to get all
these Strikers in and the young ones
from this one and I go okay I go I'll
come and do preseason this was the
championship back
so I ended up going back and doing
pre-season and um at first I was like do
a little bit of training then running on
the side by myself and then um you know
a trialist would come in and he wasn't
good enough so then I would join in and
then there would be a little bit like
that so then we started playing friendly
games and I'd get five minutes um come
on score a goal then get 10 minutes come
on score a goal I just had this like
hunger that I'm going to show him that I
deserve to be playing come to start of
the Season I'm playing I'm starting and
I scored 17 goals in all comps by
December and then I got sold to centry
well yeah it's it like I'm looking here
that's ridiculous 26 goals in 60 games
that's nearly per
goal that's crazy um I was 22 turning 23
that stage so but I'd already dealt with
setbacks yeah so I I that resilience
again you're building resilience and and
building people that you know again
don't believe in you how do you how do
you do it can you you can look for an
excuse yeah or you can go I just need to
fight through this and and again that
was so when he when he said your seventh
Choice you've gone I'm going to try
still yeah I I I had the opportunity to
go to other clubs that were low in the
championship but they were in my opinion
not good clubs so it was like going okay
I don't really want to go and no
disrespect to Stockport at the time but
I didn't want to go to Stockport those
was my options and I go I'm going to try
and play here and um prove that I should
be playing here um because I also I the
supporters were great they they they
really like embraced the way that I
played the game and and so I wanted to
do well there and so by that November we
ended up um uh that I got sold to centry
but it was funny um Alan B goes I will
get my agent to do he was the manager at
the time we'll get my agent to do the
deal to centry and I'm go what he's
getting a kick back
what the 90s
man so you went from being seventh
choice to the prim yeah which is that's
a title jome well
done was there a conversation with who
who was the coach that alen b alen when
you were leaving yeah you know what I
ended up you know I got along with him
after it was like I I didn't Ellen B won
a World Cup in '
66 um and he'd let us know quite a few
times watch
that English so but I didn't not I
didn't um hold a grudge I I just knew
that I had to play for him and I just do
what I had to do to play so let's let's
quickly touch on the Premier League
because I want to spend a while and
alsoa but um it says 98 to 2001 one so
you are dealing with absolute Peak
Arsenal and United in the same league
Chelsea was Chelsea coming coming they
had Z they had all
these yeah I think VII just retired at
that stage started to coach they they
had a top side like really good side um
man united just about to win the treble
y um arsenal were were virtually invincible
invincible
a yeah so it was a good period in terms
of the some of the sides in the Premier
League and um it started again it
started well but then uh I got injured
at the end of that no beginning of that
second season uh and I was out injured
for virtually a whole season and so
again this is going through the I didn't
know that I was going through depressive
States but I didn't want to wake up in
the morning I'm like oh and I don't know
I can't see the light at the end of the
tunnel yeah like just nothing my injur
is not getting any better um get back
break down get back break down were you
staying in Coventry or you staying in
like a bigger city no no I was staying
in a little town called lemington Spa a
beautiful Town Coventry is quite rough
um so we none none of the players lived in
in
centry just respect centry I love c as
well if you are injured that whole time
it's and you're living in a place where
there's not much to do not a mega City
but you know what it's even if there's
something to do your life is football so
you you're taking away something that
you love doing people go oh but you're
still getting paid yeah at the end of
the day I didn't care about you know I'm
getting paid I want to be playing uh and
uh and just like you have your difficult
moments when you're playing you know
lack of form or not selected or whatever
but there's nothing worse than being
injured there's definitely nothing worse
and then so to get over an injury is uh
already you have to have some sort of
and at the time uh again you you you're
looking for answers you're looking for
people to help you um okay can I set
little targets can I set little goals so
when I can get back how's my uh body
going to be when I get back so my I had
a problem with my hamstring that it
ended up changing my whole running gate
like and it was I went from a certain
style of running to another style all
together that I wasn't as explosive I
wasn't so then my game has to change a
little bit um but someone uh I can't
remember who told me they go instead of
just being down all the time because I
was why don't you go to games watch
games and plays in your position watch
uh a van nisty playing up up front watch
his movement watch um the best strikers
in the league what how are they moving
what what Shir cuz Shir at the time was
at Newcastle you know what has he do
that he's uh he does so well how does he
hold up the ball how does he run into
space how's he moving in the box and
then so when I got back I was like going
okay my game again had to change but it
improved in other
ways that's actually great advice
because I remember when I was at River
the technical director we would always
ask him what do we need to do how do I
get better and he would always say go
watch the first team see who plays in
your position because if you want to be
a lot of football everyone hates
injuries but imagine being injured in
the Prem League also in England it's
only football people talk about so you
can't really Escape it like everywhere
you look it's football football football
and I also learned how quickly someone
and people can figure out about you like
football fans are fickle so I I was like
playing and and and doing quite well and
and scoring some goals not always
starting but scoring goals and then all
of a sudden um not playing in the first
month you know you go to the game and
people are going oh hey John you know
good luck we'll see you on the park soon
to the second month couple less the
third month a couple less after a year
no one recognized you well it doesn't
help that you're fighting relegation as
well with the club add that on to it so
everyone's not in the best mood as it
already is who was the um just quickly
maybe before you jump on us who was the
best player you played against in the
Prem and favorite Stadium cuz the
atmospheres in England is for me always
crazy the atmospheres are unbelievable I
I loved going to Newcastle to yeah St
James like it was like you walk in and
you look up and and the fans are like
fanatical uh they're on top of you are
on top of you it's it's a such a good
Stadium did you bag on there no no I
didn't against Spurs though yeah that
was my first goal in the Premier League
against Spurs scoring a goal in the
Premier League that's I scored a few
goals against Spurs I don't know more um
I scored against United but at algr um
when Yap Stam was playing y Yap Stam was
like incredible I have to say there was
so many good players back then in the
Premier League but I wouldn't say that
there was like when I played in Spain
that you had like superstar that really
stood out and there was a couple there
in Spain but in the Premier League they
were good players Like Beckham could
like he cross a ball from anywhere and
you know that Dwight York and and Andy
Cole getting on the end of it and he had
Teddy sheringham that wasn't always
starting and then you had all the Ryan
gigs like that man united team was you
could name drop so many players actually
just you've just gone for the front line
of man united not even the league SKS
Roy Keane you know all these players
that you go they were they were
incredible players and
consistently great you know they weren't
just the so Dano was one of those
players that when we played against them
we getting beat and Dano came alive and
started doing flicks and tricks you go
you couldn't stop him like he was that
good but he wasn't like uh as consistent
as those worldclass players right crazy
so Coventry end up getting relegated um
how does how does the move to Spain come
there so much I want to touch on with
Spain but how cuz that's sort of like
did you know much about osasuna did you
know about the region it's p right yeah
P like did you know about the region did
you know where you were going or were
you like look they're playing La Liga
you've got strange places already at
this point of your I had no idea about
Osuna um I had no no idea about their
history I had no idea where it was um I
didn't know much about Spain at that
stage I always liked the Spanish league
watching it because it was so good
watching Barcelona Real Madrid Valencia
Depo Laruna at that time were were
amazing um Sevilla real Bettis they had
good good teams and good like plays
within those teams um but it came about
cuz I already played championship and I
go cuz Crystal Palace came in for me at
the end of that season Steve Bruce and
um and he go stuck around then
still and and and I remember him like he
picked up the phone he said look John I
know like Spain sounds great but you
know it's not as good as what everyone
makes it out to be you don't always get
paid on time and he had L good points
because there were certain clubs in
Spain that didn't always pay you on time
but I was like oh no I I want to try
Spanish football also my injuries played
a part so in England because we were
playing every 3 days I don't think my
body could cope with it then I was going
to Spain that were playing you know
Sunday to Sunday I was like okay I think
my body might cope with that a little
bit better how old were you at this time
like 26 or something yeah I would have
been 25 26 did you feel like when you
moved to Spain you were getting into
that space of like you know your game
you're there you're arriving like you I
felt that not only I I knew my game I
felt that I knew that I had to be
mentally strong in certain situations
and I had dealt with a lot in those
previous years that was I was ready for
a move to Spain cuz I didn't speak any
Spanish um my wife was pregnant at the
time um and we going to a country we got
zero idea about so Pamplona is um known
for the running of the balls but it's in
an area very much a busk area it's not
completely busk but half of it is I
didn't know what Basque
meant what does that mean it's the
northern Bas country country it's like
beautiful right yeah but at the time
there was still that ETA were were
bombing trains and and so there was
there was they wanted independence from
Spain that's right and there was a lot
going on and uh and I had no idea so
when I went there and I go oh you know
Spanish don't call me Spanish yeah oh
it's like like yeah the catalans are
also the same that I'm not Spanish I'm
cathan first yeah yeah so it was a you
know and so someone said to me never
religion even the last time I was in
Barcelona recently there was a thing
going on and it's it's still a thing to
this day with the Basque and with the
the Catalan region what was the beauty
of Spanish football cuz for me that's
when we were growing up around the time
you would have been at us Assa that was
getting played a lot in Australia so we
got to see a lot of it and it looked
like the funnest League or the most pure
football was it was that actually how it
felt playing there was it yeah so I felt
at the time um Spain was a mix between
uh Italy and England like it was not as
defensive minded is still you know
they're very very well structured like
the Italians but not as defensive minded
and um and attack-minded but probably
not as open as what the English were so
you had this great balance of you know
good football being played by most teams
and um and teams that are trying to play
you also had the pressures of the fans
but they weren't as brutal as i' would
say as the Italians in the sense that
you they still want to see good football
um so the Italians didn't care about the
football they just cared about the
results whereas the the the Spanish were
yeah we want to win but we want to see
you playing a certain way um and so the
Basque area and I'll say osasuna a
little bit they're a little bit of both
but they want to see you run and fight
and so if you're doing that a little bit
like the English um they they respect
you and and will support you and so I I
felt that was a good place plus it was a
very family orientated Club I loved
going into training I loved being around
the group I loved being around the
Spanish people so I felt more at home in
Spain than probably anywhere can I ask
you about the differences we watched I
don't know if you've seen it copper 90
documentary on one in a lifetime that
Argentina World Cup win few years ago
and they explained the reason why
Argentinian fans or football fans are
the way they are in terms of culturally
and societally what makes them like that
what were the and you said basically
Spain kind of sits in between England
and it Italy in terms of the way they
see football did you feel that
culturally with the people that that
reflected the way they liked their
football played yeah and the differences
definitely and it depends on where as
well m so if um you know depends on
which part of Spain you're playing in
there's certain parts that they just
want to be like they want flare um you
know probably more down south I don't
know if it's the you know down in
Seville the the the flamco like you know
the dancing all all that sort of stuff
whereas up up north of Spain they're
hard workers and they're known for their
hard work so you have to reflect that in
your game as well so you you'll see a
lot of the um the coaches that do well
up up north in the bus clubs are from
that area they're not from other parts
of Spain they they're from that area
yeah because they understand what the
supporters want what they're looking and
and it's the same you know you see a lot
of good bus coaches for instance that go
elsewhere and do well because they're
just hardworking people in general which
club in that region only signs players
with a bus it's Bill Bell yeah bill yeah
so are you you either to have this you
either have to have a grandparent who's
buque be born there or a parent from the
region I think they're like the three
markers for
they idea about the bu first yeah they
never been relegated they they've always
had they've always
had so Rio that is also a bus Club so
when I started going there they only
just started started signing Spanish
players so they had only signed Basque
and foreigners uh whereas athletic Bill
Bell haven't changed their way the whole
time but atic B what they do they got a
great Academy um but if they see a
player say osasuna that's uh that's
coming through jav Martinez who ended up
playing for Spain and play for Bayern
Munich he got sold he was there when I
was there I hadn't seen him play yet I I
don't even think I saw him train he got
sold for 7 million euro he was 16 years
old he went to athletic bbal and then
from there went to Bayern Munich and had
the career he had so but they would go
and Scout and get the best players from
everywhere around that region and pay
overs for him because they need to be
successful a but when they go into that
club they know what the club represents
and and is so they used to call it the
cathedral when we used to go play there
they've actually changed the stadium but
it was I've had some good moments there
and bad moments the I I'll talk about
the bad moment first we were 3-0 up and
uh we felt that we'd won this game there
was 30 minutes to go they scored one
goal and their crowd just went like talk
about atmospheres and they just went and
you just felt that the these guys grew
another level they they all of a sudden
they felt oh we're going to win this
game we're on their ass they beat us 4-3
I never walked off the pitch going what
the hell happen like it was just felt
like wave after wave after wave but
there was a fans that was driving him
home and and then another time with
osasuna we were there and it was to uh
save us from Rel ation that was my first
year that were there and OA fans hate
athletic B Bell fans because they say
you take all our young best players and
uh we scored in the I scored in the last
few minutes to equalize to keep us safe
what and uh and again like so that was
another bit of atmosphere that you go it
was at their Stadium but we had like
5,000 of our fans there it was amazing
after that saving a club from relegation
did you feel walking through the streets
did you feel that admiration
well that night out I
did I I do I do want to ask because that
that just on that point good point um
that era of like the galacticos and
Barcelona being who they are Spain was
the flashy the rich it was that that
scene were you were you partying a lot
were you shopping a lot was it was it
was it big cuz the clock's different
there too right so I don't know if
you're playing games later or earlier
but everything everything 10:00 at night
then there were some games at 5: in the
afternoon it just depends on which game
that you had um I wouldn't say that well
our team wasn't that flashy we we
weren't flashy we we couldn't afford to
be flashy to be H we had to keep our
feet on the ground um and also the the
area that we were in could do it it's
yeah you couldn't do it you're not
really it's not a flashy area it's a
hardworking um city and and region um
but the the galacticos like you look at
the Players they had and you know the
cars that they would have had and they
had all those well they were more than
footballers back then weren't they like
you beat them 3-0 yes you beat them
three was that at home or away away at
the bur wow and you came on as a sub no
I started that one you started that game
yeah I so just for those listening at
home this is who was
playing uh Beckham Figo zadan R Ronaldo
Roberto Carlos they started Ika Casia
start they all started how did that feel
walking out of there did you just feel
like we've just done a robbery here or
like no we deserve that no to be honest
we deserve the win um it was one of
those ones that their season had just
started there was five games left I
think after this game here and their
season was starting to like they
starting to hit a bit of trouble um they
were top and then they started to lose a
few games and then there was speculation
that the coach wasn't going to stay and
um it was Beckham's first year and and
all this stuff was going on and um and
we were on the rise we were like
challenging at that stage that we could
make Europa League and that we we're
pretty strong um and we ended up winning
3-0 and and after the game we were on
the bus back to Pamplona and we were go
my God we just beat Real Madrid like the
Burnell 3-0 so you know we asked the
coach oh can we stop and get some drinks
to bring on the bus we we're drinking
and having a good time we get into
Pamplona having a good time we lost the
games oh that proved the point don't get
carried away with your every footballer
that I've spoken to says a similar thing
of like oh you know when you played
against them were you star strike and
most footballers say n you just get on
with your job was there any surely was
there a little bit I guess you you've
been playing at the top for a while then
I know you're used to it no you're
you're not Star Struck what you will say
like there's certain moments in games
you go did he just do that yeah yeah
like ronal doo just he was receiving the
ball he had one of our Defenders like
charging at him he couldn't see him
because he's had his back to play and
he's just went Bo flicked the ball over
his head went around the other side and
received the ball and kept going and
you're going did he just do that like
that ronal was one of those players that
you go he was on on his day you go he
would do something you've never seen on
the football were you the only Aussie in
the La Liga at that point yeah at this
point also I think uh I don't know if
this is true so you can correct me but
were you the first Aussie to score in uh
all the top three leagues CDR premier
league and La Liga yeah
that's I don't think you can give a
trophy for that but that's got to be
like there's got to be like some sort
of bro that's clocking that's clocking
the game a bit you know I know we're
going to go into your coaching career a
bit later but like now you're talking to
young players and this thing of being
Star Struck and knowing in in the other
dressing room there's this player and
that player and this player what was
your mindset in that situation let's say
you're going out against Real Madrid did
you did you did you have a different
mindset at all did that enter your head
before you going out on par no we we
actually had the the reverse of that was
like you know what they're going to hate
playing against us because we we're
going to make life so hard to them so we
we know and we knew back in that that
period there that Real Madrid hated come
into our Stadium because our fans were
uh they were so like involved in the
game and hated Real Madrid like one of
the uh teams they hate most in La Liga
is Real Madrid they don't mind Barcelona
so much but the Real Madrid they just
hated now for whatever reason I think
it's some of it's political some of it's
a little bit because they were the showy
K yeah that's right so would go you know
what Beckham Roberto caros we don't care
like we and so I we weren't Star Struck
it was the mindset of we're going to
make this game that they're going to
hate and not want to come back here
again just just on your um your game as
a striker and particularly going through
this period up to this point what do you
think it was about your instinct or
yourself whatever you train to be able
to have that natural goal scoring cuz I
feel like when you don't have that it
pisses you off seeing someone just find
the back of the net but at the same time
they don't understand the actual mindset
that that person has to be able to do
that yeah I I think that the first of
all the mindset you have to have is that
can I receive the ball in in a position
that I can score so like if I'm making a
run uh to the near post and is the ball
going to arrive you know that on 4 m in
front of the near post that I can't
score so first of all then your timing
of your run is wrong um second of all is
like how can I see the ball see my
Defender so again so how can I lose my
Defender and I always talk about
Strikers going like even if it's a
through ball if you're in the the area
that you're making a run that you cannot
score um in that final third don't make
the run into that area cuz then all
you're doing is is and and when you're
playing against better Defenders they're
not going to follow you they just got
let them have it out there you're making
a run towards a corner flag for example
right away from goal and then other
things are like you know your body shape
when you're receiving the ball you um
the where you facing can I finish it
first time um because when you get to a
high level in the Box you you're not
really taking more than one touch it's
like I need to finish this um and so all
those things it comes with again who
you're playing with your teammates so I
knew certain players that loved crossing
the ball to the back post so I know when
they before they're going to cross I'll
try and lose my marker that I'll free up
space for myself at the back post
there'll be some others that will whip
the ball early near post so I knew that
I'll try and take my Defender away and
dart across him those certain like
little traits you don't learn from a
coach he likes very hard from so you're
thinking all the time like you're doing
a lot of thinking even if you're not
running you're always thinking where to
be at what time Instinct as I was going
to say so on instincts right cuz
instincts is almost it's unconscious
right your reaction is unconscious and
we always talk about switching off and
let's say the keeper saves it the
Defenders switch off and then the
striker there the instinct is there are
you doing anything that is conscious in
that situation to make yourself ready
for that rebound uh I'll probably not
yeah I am because uh again I I've
watched but I also got told so when a
player say for instance a left footer he
strikes the ball a lot of time when he
mishits the ball he's he's hitting it
across the goal so if if he Mish hits it
so I've scored a few goals that I'm here
he I know that he's not going to play me
the ball so I see that he's shooting
then automatically I'm just running that
area so if he hits it well the Keeper's
parrying it and I might get a tap him if
he Shanks it and and I've scored a few
of these and the and the the guy shots
run off like he set it up but if he
Shanks it I'm in a position to go and a
lot of Defenders aren't switched on for
that because they're looking still at
the ball they're not looking at that but
I found
that yes consciously but I had trained
that for so many years that every time
old follow in out of a 100 shots and you
might only get one or two rebounds or
three rebounds but if I didn't follow in
those those 100 I wouldn't score those
three goals you know so I heard a good
bit of commentary this morning um they
were talking about Nicholas Jackson's
form how he's getting all these chances
but he's just not finishing and they're
like some Strikers just need to realize
that as long as you're getting the
chances the goals will come if you're
not getting the chances there's a
problem with your game but if you're
getting the chances and you're in the
right positions then the goals will come
but like you just said you've got to
you've just got to be there when you're
not feeling good as well physically
you're not following up you're trying to
save a little bit of your legs or you're
not so yeah and and so when you're
feeling good physically you're going I
know that I I I'm going to get there or
I going to be there and when goals are
going in you just feel the balls coming
to you it's it's one of those ones that
it's it's hard to explain um unless you've played as a striker that you just
you've played as a striker that you just go I know I know the ball's coming in
go I know I know the ball's coming in this area I just I just know it but when
this area I just I just know it but when you're going through a bad period um
you're going through a bad period um it's like you you're making the run but
it's like you you're making the run but the ball's not falling for you there and
the ball's not falling for you there and then you stop sort of believing that
then you stop sort of believing that you're going to get on the end of it and
you're going to get on the end of it and all you need is that one little thing to
all you need is that one little thing to go for you again and it might be a goal
go for you again and it might be a goal that you finish in training that gives
that you finish in training that gives you confidence that okay I got my
you confidence that okay I got my confidence back now I got my timing back
confidence back now I got my timing back and then the game the next game you end
and then the game the next game you end up scoring what was the your longest
up scoring what was the your longest goal period oh and mentally how did you
goal period oh and mentally how did you yeah that was when I was younger I would
yeah that was when I was younger I would say did you even have many goal as
say did you even have many goal as periods yeah no I did of course I did
periods yeah no I did of course I did the honesty I think like Italy was a
the honesty I think like Italy was a long one I can't remember how many games
long one I can't remember how many games but that was long there was a period in
but that was long there was a period in Spain I went through um but I knew how
Spain I went through um but I knew how to deal with it a little bit better I
to deal with it a little bit better I got whistled booed by my own fans um but
got whistled booed by my own fans um but I knew that and my my coach was good my
I knew that and my my coach was good my coach kept on playing me he didn't he
coach kept on playing me he didn't he didn't leave me out he I know that you
didn't leave me out he I know that you can get through this and then all it
can get through this and then all it took was so I was getting a lot of sort
took was so I was getting a lot of sort of bad publicity at this stage and this
of bad publicity at this stage and this is already after having a good year the
is already after having a good year the year before but they can quickly turn on
year before but they can quickly turn on you um but then one journalist for some
you um but then one journalist for some reason like wrote a really good story
reason like wrote a really good story about me saying yeah but he's not
about me saying yeah but he's not scoring but he's giving us this and the
scoring but he's giving us this and the fans like went okay and then as soon as
fans like went okay and then as soon as the fan turned sort of my fortunes
the fan turned sort of my fortunes turned a little bit and I started
turned a little bit and I started scoring again it's funny how that can
scoring again it's funny how that can work football smart Nation it's almost
work football smart Nation it's almost like there's in my mind there's like
like there's in my mind there's like three games in going on in the game of
three games in going on in the game of football there's all the players then
football there's all the players then there's like the goalkeeper who's kind
there's like the goalkeeper who's kind of playing a different game and the
of playing a different game and the strikers are also kind of playing a
strikers are also kind of playing a different game where for example as a
different game where for example as a coach got if if my Striker is going
coach got if if my Striker is going through a goalless period I actually
through a goalless period I actually don't know how to relate to that
don't know how to relate to that experience and how to talk to him in
experience and how to talk to him in that situation and you'd be so valuable
that situation and you'd be so valuable now to your Strikers I've I've sort of
now to your Strikers I've I've sort of um there's certain times and I remember
um there's certain times and I remember doing this to Jame McLaren he wasn't too
doing this to Jame McLaren he wasn't too happy with me at that stage but I I'd
happy with me at that stage but I I'd gone through experiences I've gone
gone through experiences I've gone through a bit of a bad spell and um when
through a bit of a bad spell and um when I was in brisbon with Jamie he really
I was in brisbon with Jamie he really scored quite a few goals and but he went
scored quite a few goals and but he went I think about four or five games without
I think about four or five games without scoring and I could just see it Weighing
scoring and I could just see it Weighing on his shoulders in training wasn't
on his shoulders in training wasn't moving the same and so I decided to
moving the same and so I decided to leave him out and uh the next game but I
leave him out and uh the next game but I told him I said I'm leaving you out for
told him I said I'm leaving you out for this reason I'm going to take the
this reason I'm going to take the pressure away from you you're going to
pressure away from you you're going to come on and you're going to do well and
come on and you're going to do well and you and and I believe that you when you
you and and I believe that you when you come on you'll you'll want to score
come on you'll you'll want to score you'll feel that you're going to score
you'll feel that you're going to score but you're not starting the game that
but you're not starting the game that the pressure's on you and um and he did
the pressure's on you and um and he did he scored and and and I remember when I
he scored and and and I remember when I went up to him after the game he was
went up to him after the game he was still angry with
still angry with me I didn't mind because I go I got what
me I didn't mind because I go I got what I thought we would get from Jamie then
I thought we would get from Jamie then he went on a good run run again so I've
he went on a good run run again so I've been able to relate with Strikers
been able to relate with Strikers through difficult periods because I I've
through difficult periods because I I've been there as as a striker what was the
been there as as a striker what was the we haven't even touched on soccer or
we haven't even touched on soccer or coaching yet yeah I got it well I just
coaching yet yeah I got it well I just want to what was the is this one
podcast episode people going to turn off this
episode people going to turn off this honestly people yeah good time to say
honestly people yeah good time to say like comment subscribe but um we
like comment subscribe but um we probably know what the most important
probably know what the most important goal you scored in your but what was
goal you scored in your but what was what was your best goal like in your
what was your best goal like in your eyes and and like wi for the national
eyes and and like wi for the national team or no no just your your actually
team or no no just your your actually Club career well it could be what do you
Club career well it could be what do you and and what do you deem your best goal
and and what do you deem your best goal a striker CU it could be a t you know
a striker CU it could be a t you know what like I I've scored um a few goals
what like I I've scored um a few goals that surprised myself that I I go I'm
that surprised myself that I I go I'm I'm hitting a volley with my right foot
I'm hitting a volley with my right foot and and um left footed and one was
and and um left footed and one was against the Blackburn for centry and I
against the Blackburn for centry and I did a a stupid celebration but he what
did a a stupid celebration but he what was the celebration oh I was watching
was the celebration oh I was watching wrestling yes
wrestling yes yes smack down and I saw someone go like
yes smack down and I saw someone go like that that looks good that looks good
that that looks good that looks good that after a game and and you'll see a
that after a game and and you'll see a photo of me going like
photo of me going like that all my players are going what the
that all my players are going what the hell was that all about but I um it was
hell was that all about but I um it was a it was a cross at it was a [ __ ] cross
a it was a cross at it was a [ __ ] cross I can't remember who crossed me the ball
I can't remember who crossed me the ball but and it was against John Farland who
but and it was against John Farland who was at playing at Blackburn he was an
was at playing at Blackburn he was an Aussie goalkeeper and I went to control
Aussie goalkeeper and I went to control my left and because it was bobbly it
my left and because it was bobbly it sort of sat up and I was on an angle I
sort of sat up and I was on an angle I just went bang and I voied it into the
just went bang and I voied it into the opposite corner and I go wow that's
opposite corner and I go wow that's surpris and then and then there was
surpris and then and then there was another time I SW again with my right
another time I SW again with my right foot that I I was facing I was at the
foot that I I was facing I was at the edge of the box someone played me a ball
edge of the box someone played me a ball I controlled it but I was still facing
I controlled it but I was still facing sort of that way and I had to turn and I
sort of that way and I had to turn and I hit a volley my right foot and um and
hit a volley my right foot and um and again like it surprised me that I could
again like it surprised me that I could like time it that well but it's all
like time it that well but it's all about timing doesn't matter what foot
about timing doesn't matter what foot you are it's about how you the ball not
you are it's about how you the ball not how hard you hit it if you get the
how hard you hit it if you get the timing right as you know um against
timing right as you know um against Spurs I hit a good good
Spurs I hit a good good goal yeah we got to somehow pull some of
goal yeah we got to somehow pull some of these out man at some point because I
these out man at some point because I reckon he's got a lot of bangers man
reckon he's got a lot of bangers man yeah I was I was the other day I was on
yeah I was I was the other day I was on the La Liga YouTube uh like the La Liga
the La Liga YouTube uh like the La Liga YouTube page and they've got like a
YouTube page and they've got like a section just for your goals on there um
section just for your goals on there um and that's legendary there some
and that's legendary there some legendary bro like Ronald Doo J but but
legendary bro like Ronald Doo J but but I will say the ones that live with you
I will say the ones that live with you in terms of the the the most important
in terms of the the the most important goals like so I scored again like
goals like so I scored again like relegation um ones that were so
relegation um ones that were so important for the club at that stage and
important for the club at that stage and for your team um darbies like go like in
for your team um darbies like go like in local Derby what the best Derby You'
local Derby what the best Derby You' played in oh that's a great question
played in oh that's a great question that's yeah that's a good question
that's yeah that's a good question Melbourne Derby might be melbour Derby
Melbourne Derby might be melbour Derby but I Melbourne Derby was good like that
but I Melbourne Derby was good like that was that was that were early on that
was that was that were early on that were you were our villain that I I will
were you were our villain that I I will never forget that first
never forget that first derby and I'm like okay yep soccer is
derby and I'm like okay yep soccer is like absolute villain I was like this is
like absolute villain I was like this is crazy and looking back it was like one
crazy and looking back it was like one of the most Wild games ever yeah so that
of the most Wild games ever yeah so that that one there we won the first game and
that one there we won the first game and then Alex
then Alex Terror he was good player and then with
Terror he was good player and then with the next time we played you guys we lost
the next time we played you guys we lost at Amy par Robbie Cruz and I I think
at Amy par Robbie Cruz and I I think that I didn't even get a touch that game
that I didn't even get a touch that game and then the next one we were two- n
and then the next one we were two- n down at the it Marvel and um we ended up
down at the it Marvel and um we ended up coming back in and drawing two2 I scored
coming back in and drawing two2 I scored two yes but the actual darbies are
two yes but the actual darbies are always the ones that you go okay like I
always the ones that you go okay like I need to I don't know somehow you found
need to I don't know somehow you found something extra in Derbies and so I was
something extra in Derbies and so I was lucky enough to play I don't know if it
lucky enough to play I don't know if it was much of a derby for Aston Villa but
was much of a derby for Aston Villa but for centry it was a big game um and we
for centry it was a big game um and we won 4-1 at Villa Park was I think it was
won 4-1 at Villa Park was I think it was the first time in I don't know 60
the first time in I don't know 60 something years that we'd won there um
something years that we'd won there um scored two in that game um see how I'm
scored two in that game um see how I'm bringing up all the goals that I scor
bringing up all the goals that I scor yeah I love that this you're trained
yeah I love that this you're trained media
media trained yeah the Der they're the goals
trained yeah the Der they're the goals that you remember a lot in the special
that you remember a lot in the special game so the Spanish Cup Final for
game so the Spanish Cup Final for osasuna we were losing to real Bettis 1-
osasuna we were losing to real Bettis 1- nil I was on the bench came on and
nil I was on the bench came on and equalized in the last few minutes I
equalized in the last few minutes I think it was 84th or something and we
think it was 84th or something and we ended up losing an extra time but if I
ended up losing an extra time but if I go back to Spain tomorrow and go to
go back to Spain tomorrow and go to Pamplona they all talk about that
Pamplona they all talk about that because it was the first time we ever
because it was the first time we ever qualify for Spanish Cup Final any major
qualify for Spanish Cup Final any major trophy how did you deal with such a high
trophy how did you deal with such a high and then such a quick Drop Like scoring
and then such a quick Drop Like scoring an equalizer with five minutes to go and
an equalizer with five minutes to go and then losing an extra time yeah that was
then losing an extra time yeah that was hard but the fans like they stayed after
hard but the fans like they stayed after like that was my last game forer w w and
like that was my last game forer w w and the fans like there was say at the it
the fans like there was say at the it was the vincenta Calderon where um
was the vincenta Calderon where um Atletico Madrid used to play and there
Atletico Madrid used to play and there was half the stadium where real Bettis
was half the stadium where real Bettis and half the stadium were osasuna and um
and half the stadium were osasuna and um and they were just all in red and after
and they were just all in red and after the game they were just all stayed out
the game they were just all stayed out there and singing for us and singing and
there and singing for us and singing and and and I was like wow like so they're
and and I was like wow like so they're not upset they they just for them it was
not upset they they just for them it was an unbelievable day out it was it was
an unbelievable day out it was it was something that they never experienced in
something that they never experienced in their lifetime and a lot of them said
their lifetime and a lot of them said you made our life like and like I
you made our life like and like I remember going on the street went back
remember going on the street went back there uh 5 or 6 years ago and they kept
there uh 5 or 6 years ago and they kept on like I went to the stadium they was
on like I went to the stadium they was singing my name I was going like how
singing my name I was going like how they remember me you know that's awesome
they remember me you know that's awesome and it was from that goal that's amazing
and it was from that goal that's amazing and you lost like this is the passion
and you lost like this is the passion that like they they were just so happy
that like they they were just so happy to have that experience because they
to have that experience because they never make finals that's incredible can
never make finals that's incredible can you just touch on the cuz I don't know
you just touch on the cuz I don't know if you I don't know if I've told you
if you I don't know if I've told you this [ __ ] but I the first time I ever
this [ __ ] but I the first time I ever met ja cuz I'd love you to just touch on
met ja cuz I'd love you to just touch on the a league when you came back cuz you
the a league when you came back cuz you had a decent decent time with Central
had a decent decent time with Central Coast Sydney Melbourne Hart but there
Coast Sydney Melbourne Hart but there was a period when I was at the as the
was a period when I was at the as the joy went to a World Cup and so half the
joy went to a World Cup and so half the as went and the coach of the as was the
as went and the coach of the as was the coach of the joies so they told us older
coach of the joies so they told us older boys if you can get an A League club to
boys if you can get an A League club to go train with GO train with I don't know
go train with GO train with I don't know if you remember this yeah yeah I don't
if you remember this yeah yeah I don't know how I did probably two months out
know how I did probably two months out at Melbourne Hart and yeah and I was
at Melbourne Hart and yeah and I was like 16 or 17 and bro for me it might
like 16 or 17 and bro for me it might not have been a big deal for him but in
not have been a big deal for him but in that team was skoko
that team was skoko aloisi uh Gerald sibon Alex Terra Clint
aloisi uh Gerald sibon Alex Terra Clint Bol Matt Thompson Wayne try tell the
Bol Matt Thompson Wayne try tell the Sion story yeah I'll tell the Sion story
Sion story yeah I'll tell the Sion story this a funny but they were all at that
this a funny but they were all at that point in their career where they all
point in their career where they all knew their game like inside out to the
knew their game like inside out to the point where J might have been slowing
point where J might have been slowing down but he knew how to like win every
down but he knew how to like win every battle he knew how to score and I'm like
battle he knew how to score and I'm like trying to discover my game so for me I
trying to discover my game so for me I every day was like a mental Battle of
every day was like a mental Battle of like the level like Wayne shroy I don't
like the level like Wayne shroy I don't know if he ever gets credit but he'd hit
know if he ever gets credit but he'd hit balls and it was clean every single time
balls and it was clean every single time he hit the ball it was so nice to watch
he hit the ball it was so nice to watch like little things like that
like little things like that um and I'm rambling but to this point I
um and I'm rambling but to this point I don't know if you remember what game it
don't know if you remember what game it was Gerald Sion he got sent off and the
was Gerald Sion he got sent off and the second team had to go train it was day
second team had to go train it was day before a game with JVS and he took the
before a game with JVS and he took the first team the first 11 to go and
first team the first 11 to go and Gerald's gone over like trying to stay
Gerald's gone over like trying to stay with you guys cuz he's like looked over
with you guys cuz he's like looked over [ __ ] that and anyway tz's an Milich is
[ __ ] that and anyway tz's an Milich is calling out Gerald you got to come over
calling out Gerald you got to come over here come on come on anyway this is
here come on come on anyway this is where I was like [ __ ] there's lers in
where I was like [ __ ] there's lers in the levels he comes over and looks at me
the levels he comes over and looks at me Curtis good and I think I can't remember
Curtis good and I think I can't remember who else was there he just goes he goes
who else was there he just goes he goes ah one day you're here know he goes one
ah one day you're here know he goes one day you're at the sunal the next you're
here where I just thought [ __ ] but just on the a league back then what was your
on the a league back then what was your thoughts coming back the level how did
thoughts coming back the level how did you find it as like a bit of a
you find it as like a bit of a homecoming look the level was uh I think
homecoming look the level was uh I think it was just starting um I think I
it was just starting um I think I arrived in year three I think it was so
arrived in year three I think it was so you came early yeah I came early
you came early yeah I came early so the professionalism still wasn't
so the professionalism still wasn't quite there yet and then it started to
quite there yet and then it started to grow and you could see it and I and I
grow and you could see it and I and I sense the Improvement of like the league
sense the Improvement of like the league and the players in a short period got
and the players in a short period got like really good in a in a short period
like really good in a in a short period cuz I don't know if you remember back
cuz I don't know if you remember back then we didn't always get our foreigners
then we didn't always get our foreigners right there was a lot of times that our
right there was a lot of times that our foreigners were HIIT and Miss there was
foreigners were HIIT and Miss there was some that got it right and some that
some that got it right and some that didn't get it right whereas I think now
didn't get it right whereas I think now and for a long period there there's been
and for a long period there there's been majority of the time the foreigners are
majority of the time the foreigners are are good um because there's more
are good um because there's more research there's more data about them
research there's more data about them and whatever else but what I liked about
and whatever else but what I liked about it was that um you know we we're getting
it was that um you know we we're getting good crowds like the crowds were good
good crowds like the crowds were good back then and and there was a period
back then and and there was a period there that I would say probably till 15
there that I would say probably till 15 16 where you go wow like the football
16 where you go wow like the football was at a level the crowds were at of
was at a level the crowds were at of level um and and I think the peak of it
level um and and I think the peak of it was that period there yeah um and I'll
was that period there yeah um and I'll talk about the how I remember that the
talk about the how I remember that the peak was we played wonders in the
peak was we played wonders in the semi-final and we're three GRE up at
semi-final and we're three GRE up at Brisbane raw and we ended up losing 54
Brisbane raw and we ended up losing 54 an extra time classic that that noise at
an extra time classic that that noise at um pertek param stadium was unbelievable
um pertek param stadium was unbelievable it was you can compare it to anywhere in
it was you can compare it to anywhere in the world and go okay this is this is
the world and go okay this is this is football yeah um you know you go play
football yeah um you know you go play against Melbourne Victory or Melbourne
against Melbourne Victory or Melbourne heart Melbourne Victory you know the
heart Melbourne Victory you know the actual atmosphere at games we're getting
actual atmosphere at games we're getting my first game as a head coach was from
my first game as a head coach was from Melbourne Hart against angers Melbourne
Melbourne Hart against angers Melbourne Victory there's 55,000
Victory there's 55,000 people Marvel yeah this is what F said
people Marvel yeah this is what F said as well his first game he thought he
as well his first game he thought he didn't think Victory had a stadium his
didn't think Victory had a stadium his first game was a derby at Marvel it was
first game was a derby at Marvel it was unbelievable it was it was so good and
unbelievable it was it was so good and and you could see the level of younger
and you could see the level of younger players really improving rapidly as well
players really improving rapidly as well and that was because there was there was
and that was because there was there was a time where a lot of older players are
a time where a lot of older players are coming back and so there was probably no
coming back and so there was probably no in between so the younger players uh and
in between so the younger players uh and the older players they sort of had to
the older players they sort of had to try and bridge the gap pretty quickly
try and bridge the gap pretty quickly even though the younger players had way
even though the younger players had way more legs than the older ones but they
more legs than the older ones but they that that ended up could see got to a
that that ended up could see got to a stage that we we hit a real peak that
stage that we we hit a real peak that hatred back then from the fans and maybe
hatred back then from the fans and maybe hatred is a strong word that that
hatred is a strong word that that competitiveness I even remember I went
competitiveness I even remember I went to the melbour har Cedar and I was a
to the melbour har Cedar and I was a massive Victory fan um I say was cuz
massive Victory fan um I say was cuz I've C it a bit but I remember you did a
I've C it a bit but I remember you did a talk once at a primary school and I was
talk once at a primary school and I was trying to act cool and I'm like that's J
trying to act cool and I'm like that's J you know but I was like no well he's
you know but I was like no well he's Ming heart so like I can't associate I
Ming heart so like I can't associate I don't want to ask for a photo or
don't want to ask for a photo or whatever
whatever but back then that's what it was that's
but back then that's what it was that's what it was like and that's why I feel
what it was like and that's why I feel like the stadiums were were so packed
like the stadiums were were so packed even Mariners Mariners had some really
even Mariners Mariners had some really good outings so the the first year that
good outings so the the first year that I arrived back was with the Mariners
I arrived back was with the Mariners that we U we ended up playing Newcastle
that we U we ended up playing Newcastle Jets in the Grand Final at the aliance
Jets in the Grand Final at the aliance and it was Full House but with in the
and it was Full House but with in the semi-finals and even in the back end of
semi-finals and even in the back end of that season the the Central Coast
that season the the Central Coast Mariners Stadium is full like we're
Mariners Stadium is full like we're playing Newcastle Jets it's full stadium
playing Newcastle Jets it's full stadium and you're going like unbelievable
and you're going like unbelievable atmosphere as well and and all those
atmosphere as well and and all those games were were I thought were again
games were were I thought were again there was a bit of a hatred between
there was a bit of a hatred between central coast of Newcastle I think there
central coast of Newcastle I think there still is but probably a little bit less
still is but probably a little bit less gav's a Newcastle he's from Melbourne
gav's a Newcastle he's from Melbourne but he goes for Newcastle
but he goes for Newcastle okay my favorite player yeah we got
okay my favorite player yeah we got looker here son so it's um it's actually
looker here son so it's um it's actually I still think it's coming back I still
I still think it's coming back I still think that you know you saw the other
think that you know you saw the other night with um Adelaide Victory great
night with um Adelaide Victory great game that like each other no and and you
game that like each other no and and you know it it helps when you've got a
know it it helps when you've got a little bit of that you know uh K vit
little bit of that you know uh K vit from aday so he can really drive it home
from aday so he can really drive it home with his his team his group the
with his his team his group the supporters the whole and I know what
supporters the whole and I know what it's like in at ad would then all jump
it's like in at ad would then all jump on board you know the The Advertiser
on board you know the The Advertiser would just be yeah you know and so uh
would just be yeah you know and so uh Victor still have that as well against
Victor still have that as well against you know Adelaide and against Sydney um
you know Adelaide and against Sydney um and so I I think
and so I I think this year I've seen a real step again in
this year I've seen a real step again in the right direction definitely the
the right direction definitely the national team uh in some regards do you
national team uh in some regards do you feel like your Club career has been
feel like your Club career has been forgotten about because of your success
forgotten about because of your success with the national team the people give
with the national team the people give you like people kind of point to you for
you like people kind of point to you for the penalty kick for your goal against
the penalty kick for your goal against Japan for all those sort of moments or
Japan for all those sort of moments or is is that what sort of people look back
is is that what sort of people look back on you on with with I guess the highest
on you on with with I guess the highest regard oh in Australia yeah definitely
regard oh in Australia yeah definitely um because you have to remember at the
um because you have to remember at the time the premier League wasn't shown on
time the premier League wasn't shown on TV week in week out it was more
TV week in week out it was more highlights the La Liga wasn't shown on
highlights the La Liga wasn't shown on TV week in week out so I understand that
TV week in week out so I understand that they they got no problem with it um over
they they got no problem with it um over in Europe I'm probably more recognized
in Europe I'm probably more recognized for you know club uh I did at Club level
for you know club uh I did at Club level but here in Australia people will will
but here in Australia people will will remember me and it's again you could be
remember me and it's again you could be remembered for bad things yeah that's a
remembered for bad things yeah that's a good point J that's a good point you
good point J that's a good point you know and and it comes with it at times
know and and it comes with it at times because there'll be people that I
because there'll be people that I remember when I was going through a bad
remember when I was going through a bad time at Sydney FC and and it was a year
time at Sydney FC and and it was a year that I wasn't good I had bad injury I
that I wasn't good I had bad injury I was performing poorly and everyone was
was performing poorly and everyone was going he just scored a penalty anyway
going he just scored a penalty anyway like big deal he scored a penalty they
like big deal he scored a penalty they don't know what it took to get to that
don't know what it took to get to that point I know scored the penalty but um
point I know scored the penalty but um so it can come with you know pros and
so it can come with you know pros and cons but I I'm was
cons but I I'm was so like lucky to be involved in a team
so like lucky to be involved in a team that were hadn't qualified for so long
that were hadn't qualified for so long and that we were there that we knew knew
and that we were there that we knew knew and we believed we were going to qualify
and we believed we were going to qualify and it was the best group to qualify
and it was the best group to qualify with at that stage um that I was part of
with at that stage um that I was part of it on that goal I mean you've spoken
it on that goal I mean you've spoken about it countless times but what I
about it countless times but what I wanted to ask
wanted to ask was um we obviously all saw it it was a
was um we obviously all saw it it was a momentous occasion your goal led to me
momentous occasion your goal led to me becoming a football fan inadvertently
becoming a football fan inadvertently because before that I only watched AFL
because before that I only watched AFL and I swapped over when Australia made
and I swapped over when Australia made the World Cup in 2006 and you would have
the World Cup in 2006 and you would have done that for thousands of other
done that for thousands of other people we've seen a goal it's iconic
people we've seen a goal it's iconic it's one of the most classic moments in
it's one of the most classic moments in Australian sporting history I want to
Australian sporting history I want to know though when you got into your hotel
know though when you got into your hotel or whatever that night and closed the
or whatever that night and closed the door and you got into bed what was going
door and you got into bed what was going to your head like did you go to bed did
to your head like did you go to bed did you go to bed like what happened after
you go to bed like what happened after the game that maybe not many people know
the game that maybe not many people know about what you were feeling or you know
about what you were feeling or you know even also after that did you feel like
even also after that did you feel like you had to live up to it cuz it was such
you had to live up to it cuz it was such a big moment um after we I had to go
a big moment um after we I had to go back to Europe quite quickly because we
back to Europe quite quickly because we had our league was still going and and
had our league was still going and and my chairman was like getting angry that
my chairman was like getting angry that I was staying in Adelaide for cuz I went
I was staying in Adelaide for cuz I went back to Adelaide the next day um it was
back to Adelaide the next day um it was sort of funny cuz it's sort of like you
sort of funny cuz it's sort of like you live a moment but it sort of feels like
live a moment but it sort of feels like a surreal moment it doesn't feel like
a surreal moment it doesn't feel like you're part cuz you see it that many
you're part cuz you see it that many time like going back from the the hotel
time like going back from the the hotel the next day I can't remember the night
the next day I can't remember the night too much cuz I think I had a bit too
too much cuz I think I had a bit too much to drink so the next morning
much to drink so the next morning morning I'm going to the airport and um
morning I'm going to the airport and um and you know you're just looking
and you know you're just looking everywhere and there's just the
everywhere and there's just the television on uh the news whatever just
television on uh the news whatever just showing that then you you know you see
showing that then you you know you see people reading the paper it's just a
people reading the paper it's just a photo of that that night and you see
photo of that that night and you see going wow like we've just made Australia
going wow like we've just made Australia like and then you seeing people like
like and then you seeing people like celebrating you know um whether is the
celebrating you know um whether is the people at the the stadium and then
people at the the stadium and then people showing you footage of people
people showing you footage of people celebrating cuz back then they just
celebrating cuz back then they just started to be able to record
started to be able to record I'll never forget I my dad sent me to
I'll never forget I my dad sent me to school in the soccer jersey the next day
school in the soccer jersey the next day and he goes gab you're not wearing your
and he goes gab you're not wearing your primary school gear you going in the
primary school gear you going in the soccer jersey you must hear so many so
soccer jersey you must hear so many so much [ __ ] like that from yeah I imagine
much [ __ ] like that from yeah I imagine I remember taking penalties and doing
I remember taking penalties and doing the
the celebration so the the next um day I was
celebration so the the next um day I was on the flight with Tony vidmar going
on the flight with Tony vidmar going back to adake we going to spend a couple
back to adake we going to spend a couple of days there and um and the first time
of days there and um and the first time it really hit home what it meant to
it really hit home what it meant to everyone cuz I knew what it meant cuz
everyone cuz I knew what it meant cuz you you part of it we're all part of it
you you part of it we're all part of it that support the game um but a guy said
that support the game um but a guy said you made my dying father a happy man
you made my dying father a happy man [ __ ] and so I was just like wow that's
[ __ ] and so I was just like wow that's you know that's something that I didn't
you know that's something that I didn't expect um but felt again felt like it
expect um but felt again felt like it you know you don't play sport you don't
you know you don't play sport you don't really like when you're growing up you
really like when you're growing up you play sport because you love it and and
play sport because you love it and and you want to enjoy yourself and then when
you want to enjoy yourself and then when you get to a level you're sort of
you get to a level you're sort of playing because you want to reach a
playing because you want to reach a level but you don't feel the impact that
level but you don't feel the impact that it might have on people in their lives
it might have on people in their lives and if you're lucky enough to be part of
and if you're lucky enough to be part of something that has a positive impact um
something that has a positive impact um and I still to this day I was in the gym
and I still to this day I was in the gym I should go to the gym more but I was in
I should go to the gym more but I was in the gym the other day and I'm I'm
the gym the other day and I'm I'm running a bike and a guy comes up to me
running a bike and a guy comes up to me goes you're you're John aren't you and I
goes you're you're John aren't you and I said yeah and then I'm thinking just let
said yeah and then I'm thinking just let me ride my bike let let me go and then
me ride my bike let let me go and then he said I I just wanted to come up to
he said I I just wanted to come up to you because uh I was only 9 years old
you because uh I was only 9 years old when you scored that penalty
when you scored that penalty but that's the best moment I ever had
but that's the best moment I ever had with my mom I recall and and I was too
with my mom I recall and and I was too scared to ask if his mom's still alive
scared to ask if his mom's still alive or not because you know what was he
or not because you know what was he trying to and uh that moment there is
trying to and uh that moment there is whenever I think of that moment I think
whenever I think of that moment I think of my mom yeah and so there special
of my mom yeah and so there special things that you can that's probably yeah
things that you can that's probably yeah that's probably the most special when
that's probably the most special when you're hearing stuff from random people
you're hearing stuff from random people that how it affected their life forever
that how it affected their life forever rather than just qualifying for a while
rather than just qualifying for a while just and and on that because I as much
just and and on that because I as much as I love that you get the plotted for
as I love that you get the plotted for the penalty your goal scoring record for
the penalty your goal scoring record for the socceroos was actually probably not
the socceroos was actually probably not spoken about I think it was like almost
spoken about I think it was like almost a goal every two games um but no one
a goal every two games um but no one really speaks about how good the penalty
really speaks about how good the penalty was cuz they just went in but it was a
was cuz they just went in but it was a bro it was a [ __ ] top penalty keep
bro it was a [ __ ] top penalty keep like it was yeah there wasn't much room
like it was yeah there wasn't much room for error with with what he did I had
for error with with what he did I had the two thoughts that the the day before
the two thoughts that the the day before we practice penalties but then I ended
we practice penalties but then I ended up staying behind and practicing five
up staying behind and practicing five penalties that side did you put them all
penalties that side did you put them all in on the same side and I remember Lucas
in on the same side and I remember Lucas NE going why are you hit them all the
NE going why are you hit them all the same side and I said because I know if
same side and I said because I know if we're going to get a penalty shootout
we're going to get a penalty shootout we're getting one chance so I want to be
we're getting one chance so I want to be confident in my run up in the Striking
confident in my run up in the Striking of the ball and and it ended up being
of the ball and and it ended up being down that end um but it was in the
down that end um but it was in the leadup to the game I was thinking so my
leadup to the game I was thinking so my osasuna teammates they were both playing
osasuna teammates they were both playing uh Pablo G and CH Morales were were
uh Pablo G and CH Morales were were playing in this game and they know my
playing in this game and they know my strongest side is that side
strongest side is that side but they don't I have to go you know
but they don't I have to go you know what if I hit it well enough it's it's
what if I hit it well enough it's it's going to stay here and it's going to go
going to stay here and it's going to go in but if I change sides and I don't hit
in but if I change sides and I don't hit it as well as I would like and the
it as well as I would like and the goalkeeper goes that way so I just
goalkeeper goes that way so I just thought you know what I'm confident that
thought you know what I'm confident that I can hit it that side so I when I as
I can hit it that side so I when I as soon as I hit the ball I felt that I hit
soon as I hit the ball I felt that I hit it well and then I see it going into the
it well and then I see it going into the net but there's a delay from the noise
net but there's a delay from the noise from the crowd and I'm like going I
from the crowd and I'm like going I start running off and you see there's a
start running off and you see there's a photo of me like with a serious face and
photo of me like with a serious face and like is that
in Crazy before I go just make sure and then there was that half a second later
then there was that half a second later you just hear this eruption because you
you just hear this eruption because you think about it like I can see it's going
think about it like I can see it's going in but not everyone can see it's going
in but not everyone can see it's going in yet um and then yeah the rest when
in yet um and then yeah the rest when the the crowd erupted I went czy and is
the the crowd erupted I went czy and is that is that you putting yourself
that is that you putting yourself forward that I'm I'm taking this pen or
forward that I'm I'm taking this pen or is are people around you saying you take
is are people around you saying you take that pen no I put myself forward um
that pen no I put myself forward um there was I just had a feeling like and
there was I just had a feeling like and I I feel embarrassed talking about this
I I feel embarrassed talking about this a little bit because it seems like and
a little bit because it seems like and again for a football you have to have a
again for a football you have to have a little bit of an an ego I don't mean you
little bit of an an ego I don't mean you have to be disrespectful but you have to
have to be disrespectful but you have to have a little bit of confidence about
have a little bit of confidence about you and um and the year before not the
you and um and the year before not the year before four months before that the
year before four months before that the confederations cup um I think it was
confederations cup um I think it was that yeah I scored you were banging in
that yeah I scored you were banging in goals in thatal goal two against Germany
goals in thatal goal two against Germany two against Argentina and and I just
two against Argentina and and I just felt that I'm going to I'm going to
felt that I'm going to I'm going to score the winner and and for about a
score the winner and and for about a year or two before that I I kept on
year or two before that I I kept on saying it to my wife to my brother to my
saying it to my wife to my brother to my friends even like one night out with the
friends even like one night out with the Aussie team I told Mar vuka I'm going to
Aussie team I told Mar vuka I'm going to score the winning goal to get to the
score the winning goal to get to the World Cup and um so in the leadup to
World Cup and um so in the leadup to that game you know I was upset that I
that game you know I was upset that I wasn't starting and um and I remember
wasn't starting and um and I remember ringing my brother my brother goes
ringing my brother my brother goes remember what you've been saying
remember what you've been saying like you're going to score the winning
like you're going to score the winning goal so come on and score the winning
goal so come on and score the winning goal and so I just had this belief that
goal and so I just had this belief that somehow the ball was going to be there
somehow the ball was going to be there for me to score the winning goal and so
for me to score the winning goal and so when it was time to take penalties
when it was time to take penalties Graham Arnold asked everyone who wants
Graham Arnold asked everyone who wants to take penalty and straight up yeah I
to take penalty and straight up yeah I going take it he goes all right you'll
going take it he goes all right you'll get number one I said no no put me
get number one I said no no put me number five as we know number five
number five as we know number five doesn't necessarily mean you correct
doesn't necessarily mean you correct winning or the losing I just had this
winning or the losing I just had this feeling it would be so so you were you
feeling it would be so so you were you planted that seat yeah wow yeah so again
planted that seat yeah wow yeah so again I feel a little bit embarrassed cuz
I feel a little bit embarrassed cuz people might think this guy is full of
people might think this guy is full of himself but you know when you just got
himself but you know when you just got that belief that that will happen feel
that belief that that will happen feel like very mindset yeah it's very
like very mindset yeah it's very football mindset I understand completely
football mindset I understand completely bro was was there anyone else arguing
bro was was there anyone else arguing for that spot no and I didn't even I
for that spot no and I didn't even I didn't even know who was taking CU I
didn't even know who was taking CU I walked off straight away and started
walked off straight away and started like focusing on on the penalty and I
like focusing on on the penalty and I was like like just talking myself
was like like just talking myself through you know the Run UPS make sure
through you know the Run UPS make sure do the same that you did the day before
do the same that you did the day before and just trying to focus then we get to
and just trying to focus then we get to the halfway line and and you know we got
the halfway line and and you know we got our arms around each other and I got
our arms around each other and I got Lucas here and I go you taking a pen and
Lucas here and I go you taking a pen and he goes yeah and and he goes you I said
he goes yeah and and he goes you I said yeah I go I'm number five and and and he
yeah I go I'm number five and and and he looked at me he goes hero I go yeah hero
villain yeah and then then Tony Vima walked up to take one go who's ever seen
walked up to take one go who's ever seen Tony yeah and he took it with his left
Tony yeah and he took it with his left foot his right foot yeah yeah then Craig
foot his right foot yeah yeah then Craig Mo was on pens we had it was a weird
Mo was on pens we had it was a weird weird era CRA
weird era CRA was Craig Mo talk about the World Cup
was Craig Mo talk about the World Cup didn't he World Cup what do you know why
didn't he World Cup what do you know why he took him with his opposite foot
he took him with his opposite foot because he was at a lot of the time we
because he was at a lot of the time we started to play left back or left Center
started to play left back or left Center back so he started getting really
back so he started getting really comfortable with his left eveno vidmar
comfortable with his left eveno vidmar goes when Tony was stepping up he was
goes when Tony was stepping up he was going what the hell is he
going what the hell is he doing imine that Family household wait a
doing imine that Family household wait a second this the biggest game he got on
second this the biggest game he got on his opposite foot that's crazy did did
his opposite foot that's crazy did did that moment just a little quirky side
that moment just a little quirky side note did that moment get you on the
note did that moment get you on the cover of pro Evo 6 it did so how did you
cover of pro Evo 6 it did so how did you find out how did you find out that you
find out how did you find out that you were going to be on the cover of pro Evo
were going to be on the cover of pro Evo well the agent that I had at the time
well the agent that I had at the time asked me with does this money um are you
asked me with does this money um are you happy with this
happy with this deal I'm sure you would have what a game
deal I'm sure you would have what a game that was way that was a great game cuz
that was way that was a great game cuz you're on the a
you're on the a the that I think it was the Australian
the that I think it was the Australian version of it yeah Jake do you want to I
version of it yeah Jake do you want to I just yeah I just want to before we
just yeah I just want to before we finish up because J gone so long here
finish up because J gone so long here but um which we appreciate your time for
but um which we appreciate your time for but coaching
but coaching um pretty much to go into this season in
um pretty much to go into this season in in particular like you're probably I
in particular like you're probably I feel like people don't give you enough
feel like people don't give you enough credit for for your performances I mean
credit for for your performances I mean I know you've won a championship you've
I know you've won a championship you've been here for a while but what you're
been here for a while but what you're doing with a team this year I think is
doing with a team this year I think is really really special at what point did
really really special at what point did you know coaching was for you because I
you know coaching was for you because I know it's a big big change from a player
know it's a big big change from a player yeah I felt that towards the end of my
yeah I felt that towards the end of my career I become really interested in in
career I become really interested in in the coaching side um first it started in
the coaching side um first it started in Spain I had an assistant coach uh that I
Spain I had an assistant coach uh that I really liked and then I started to get
really liked and then I started to get interested in in the actual the the
interested in in the actual the the psychology of coaching what we liked as
psychology of coaching what we liked as players what we didn't like um what what
players what we didn't like um what what I felt uh was an environment that um I
I felt uh was an environment that um I was at my best you know could I do that
was at my best you know could I do that as a coach uh so but there was so many
as a coach uh so but there was so many different factors to it that I go it
different factors to it that I go it really interested me so I I started to
really interested me so I I started to do a little bit more study I started to
do a little bit more study I started to do my coaching Badges and then when you
do my coaching Badges and then when you start off coaching um it's completely
start off coaching um it's completely different yeah know it it is different
different yeah know it it is different it that you still have all the the the
it that you still have all the the the knowledge that you want to get out there
knowledge that you want to get out there it's how you get that knowledge out
it's how you get that knowledge out there it's how you simplify things it's
there it's how you simplify things it's how you have structures and all these
how you have structures and all these little details but then you you don't
little details but then you you don't know the actual other side of managing
know the actual other side of managing up uh you know thought managing your
up uh you know thought managing your playing group but also managing your
playing group but also managing your staff um also managing the media um the
staff um also managing the media um the supporters you know there's there's a
supporters you know there's there's a lot to it and then you still have to
lot to it and then you still have to have that mental strength of I know what
have that mental strength of I know what I want and how we're going to get there
I want and how we're going to get there because you're going to get questioned
because you're going to get questioned no matter what H when you're a coach you
no matter what H when you're a coach you have to understand that when you're
have to understand that when you're winning you've got good players when
winning you've got good players when you're losing it's the coach's fault
you're losing it's the coach's fault yeah so you have to actually know that
yeah so you have to actually know that that can be the case know that people
that can be the case know that people are going to dislike you um but you know
are going to dislike you um but you know again I I felt after that period at
again I I felt after that period at mbour har which I didn't have success
mbour har which I didn't have success there at all but I felt that I I knew
there at all but I felt that I I knew after that period that I could become a
after that period that I could become a coach and and I already had a bit of
coach and and I already had a bit of coaching experience but I knew that I
coaching experience but I knew that I didn't change who I was going through a
didn't change who I was going through a bad spill I didn't change my
bad spill I didn't change my relationship with players I was honest
relationship with players I was honest uh with the players the playing group
uh with the players the playing group um and and I and I kept my integrity and
um and and I and I kept my integrity and I I feel that's really important that as
I I feel that's really important that as a person as a coach that you have your
a person as a coach that you have your values and you stick by your values and
values and you stick by your values and what what about stylistically in terms
what what about stylistically in terms of philosophy or or formations or
of philosophy or or formations or tactics or anything like that at what
tactics or anything like that at what point do you allow any outside noise to
point do you allow any outside noise to influence your view on how whether you
influence your view on how whether you should change something like for example
should change something like for example and right now you know all that stuff
and right now you know all that stuff the I don't think you can allow outside
the I don't think you can allow outside noise to change your way I think you
noise to change your way I think you have to have a um your basic principles
have to have a um your basic principles have to be there um can you change
have to be there um can you change depending on your players yes I think
depending on your players yes I think you can be adaptable but that's you
you can be adaptable but that's you that's that has to know when to adapt
that's that has to know when to adapt and your your staff around you but if
and your your staff around you but if you start listening to outside noise
you start listening to outside noise then you're going to be sitting next to
then you're going to be sitting next to them pretty quickly because the outside
them pretty quickly because the outside noise do not understand what's going on
noise do not understand what's going on day to-day they they can't uh understand
day to-day they they can't uh understand what you're dealing with uh on a daily
what you're dealing with uh on a daily basis with certain players so we we get
basis with certain players so we we get so much information throwing us now
so much information throwing us now through you know players sleep um you
through you know players sleep um you know how they're feeling their nutrition
know how they're feeling their nutrition what's going on at their home lives the
what's going on at their home lives the you know what's going on within a club
you know what's going on within a club uh is are you able to spend money not
uh is are you able to spend money not spend money uh you have to bring through
spend money uh you have to bring through youth or you're going to get uh instant
youth or you're going to get uh instant success you know all that inside the
success you know all that inside the public can't understand that it's
public can't understand that it's impossible cuz you can't give them all
impossible cuz you can't give them all that information so when I make making a
that information so when I make making a sub people go why is he making that sub
sub people go why is he making that sub well because I need to know through the
well because I need to know through the the right channels and the people that
the right channels and the people that are giving me information this play if I
are giving me information this play if I play him um 90 minutes 90 minutes 90
play him um 90 minutes 90 minutes 90 minutes he's going to break down within
minutes he's going to break down within a week or two so we need to make sure
a week or two so we need to make sure that we load him correctly for whatever
that we load him correctly for whatever reason or it might be that his um you
reason or it might be that his um you know he had an illness during the week
know he had an illness during the week but you're not going to come out there
but you're not going to come out there and say that in the public and you
and say that in the public and you you've got to bear that brunt like
you've got to bear that brunt like there's so many times where as a fan I'm
there's so many times where as a fan I'm watching
watching thinking why the [ __ ] he done that
thinking why the [ __ ] he done that yeah but then I've got to I've
yeah but then I've got to I've got I've got to check myself and be like
got I've got to check myself and be like you know what what what do I know he's
you know what what what do I know he's spent he's spent seven days a week with
spent he's spent seven days a week with them he knows when they're going to
them he knows when they're going to sleep when they're taking a [ __ ] when
sleep when they're taking a [ __ ] when they're doing everything obviously has a
they're doing everything obviously has a reason for it so sometimes I got to
reason for it so sometimes I got to check myself like like even this morning
check myself like like even this morning I'm watching a game and I'm thinking
I'm watching a game and I'm thinking okay he hasn't made a sub
okay he hasn't made a sub yet I don't know why how would I know
yet I don't know why how would I know yeah this is why we need people to watch
yeah this is why we need people to watch him watch football but it's it's true
him watch football but it's it's true what you're saying and I understand you
what you're saying and I understand you know and I also what what helped me
know and I also what what helped me during that after that period at
during that after that period at Melbourne har was I went and worked on
Melbourne har was I went and worked on Fox Sports and so I was doing games so I
Fox Sports and so I was doing games so I understood now um the other side I'm
understood now um the other side I'm talking about the the the journalistic
talking about the the the journalistic side and and what they're looking at
side and and what they're looking at they look at One Moment In a game and
they look at One Moment In a game and they'll and because that's a big moment
they'll and because that's a big moment they will actually analyze that so they
they will actually analyze that so they they're going about oh this guy didn't
they're going about oh this guy didn't run back at this time yeah but the guy
run back at this time yeah but the guy might have been carrying an injury
might have been carrying an injury didn't run back that doesn't necessarily
didn't run back that doesn't necessarily mean that the team wasn't working hard
mean that the team wasn't working hard for each other but that's that moment
for each other but that's that moment they're going to pick up on and they're
they're going to pick up on and they're going to like take it magnify so yeah
going to like take it magnify so yeah magnify so I remember after games at
magnify so I remember after games at Melbourne hard I'm talking to the media
Melbourne hard I'm talking to the media and they're saying oh you were terrible
and they're saying oh you were terrible at this this and this and I'm like go
at this this and this and I'm like go what game were you watching like but
what game were you watching like but then then I realized they can't possibly
then then I realized they can't possibly watch the game like I'm watching it
watch the game like I'm watching it because I'm fully into analyzing every
because I'm fully into analyzing every little detail
little detail and so I then accepted that journalists
and so I then accepted that journalists are going to have their questioning and
are going to have their questioning and and when I'm answering a question it's
and when I'm answering a question it's not necessarily uh answering it to them
not necessarily uh answering it to them I'm answering it to that people that are
I'm answering it to that people that are watching can understand what I'm trying
watching can understand what I'm trying to get across that's fascinating like a
to get across that's fascinating like a footb you're great on camera I was
footb you're great on camera I was thinking that the other week I'm like
thinking that the other week I'm like yeah there you go like a football fan or
yeah there you go like a football fan or a journalist like you said they all they
a journalist like you said they all they see is exactly what's happening on the
see is exactly what's happening on the pitch nothing else they're not seeing
pitch nothing else they're not seeing what's going behind the scenes and
what's going behind the scenes and training they're not and the beauty
training they're not and the beauty of uh that bit of secrecy in football
of uh that bit of secrecy in football clubs imagine if everything was just in
clubs imagine if everything was just in the open like that it would it would be
the open like that it would it would be chaos well but you think as well I've
chaos well but you think as well I've got a a duty of care to my players as
got a a duty of care to my players as well you know I don't want to actually
well you know I don't want to actually come out and and public because you know
come out and and public because you know sometimes they go oh you know you're not
sometimes they go oh you know you're not hard enough on your players you don't
hard enough on your players you don't know you don't know what I'm I'm like
know you don't know what I'm I'm like I'll protect my players and then I'll
I'll protect my players and then I'll very rarely ever bring up an individual
very rarely ever bring up an individual in in a uh press conference I don't
in in a uh press conference I don't think I ever have in a terms a critical
think I ever have in a terms a critical way I brought up individuals in terms of
way I brought up individuals in terms of certain situations that that I feel that
certain situations that that I feel that that need to that everyone knows like
that need to that everyone knows like say about no botic you know we need to
say about no botic you know we need to protect him but I think it's his best
protect him but I think it's his best for his Pathway to do this um but that's
for his Pathway to do this um but that's me giving my opinion but I can't I would
me giving my opinion but I can't I would never give my opinion on you know say
never give my opinion on you know say someone U made a bad mistake and I'm
someone U made a bad mistake and I'm going to go go it's his fault like hold
going to go go it's his fault like hold on a second then I'm complet going to
on a second then I'm complet going to lose that player and maybe other players
lose that player and maybe other players around with it so again this I've seen
around with it so again this I've seen it happen I've seen coaches do it
it happen I've seen coaches do it everyone's got a different way my way is
everyone's got a different way my way is that I want us to feel comfortable in
that I want us to feel comfortable in this environment that we can speak
this environment that we can speak behind closed doors in a way that they
behind closed doors in a way that they can understand all right that wasn't
can understand all right that wasn't good enough or that effort wasn't enough
good enough or that effort wasn't enough there's those mad genius coaches that
there's those mad genius coaches that will do it and it'll be like only they
will do it and it'll be like only they could do it like only Mourinho could do
could do it like only Mourinho could do it or only whatever but then I've seen
it or only whatever but then I've seen it happen where
it happen where coaches have done it and you mean sacked
coaches have done it and you mean sacked the week after mourinho's done it and
the week after mourinho's done it and been sacked yeah there you go yeah but I
been sacked yeah there you go yeah but I was thinking of Troy de remember when he
was thinking of Troy de remember when he came out remember when he came out and
came out remember when he came out and said he was absolutely hor like he just
said he was absolutely hor like he just ripped into one player the whole
ripped into one player the whole interview lost his job the next week
interview lost his job the next week that's one way to lose it your job like
that's one way to lose it your job like so are you much of a spray at half time
so are you much of a spray at half time or do you like to keep it uh it depends
or do you like to keep it uh it depends on the situation depends on your group
on the situation depends on your group depends on you know certain individuals
depends on you know certain individuals it depends on a lot because I've
it depends on a lot because I've actually sprayed a group once uh so much
actually sprayed a group once uh so much at half time that I didn't get the
at half time that I didn't get the positive reaction I wanted so I go okay
positive reaction I wanted so I go okay I know now that I can't do that with
I know now that I can't do that with this sort of group and and then there's
this sort of group and and then there's other times that I've done it and I've
other times that I've done it and I've gone okay I've got a a reaction that I
gone okay I've got a a reaction that I wanted a lot of the time at half time
wanted a lot of the time at half time it's getting them to see certain things
it's getting them to see certain things that might be not going well and
that might be not going well and understand how we can fix it and giving
understand how we can fix it and giving them the belief cuz I I hate when and
them the belief cuz I I hate when and we've all been there when you you're
we've all been there when you you're hiding or you haven't being brave enough
hiding or you haven't being brave enough to play be brave like there sometimes we
to play be brave like there sometimes we get our press wrong cuz our press is
get our press wrong cuz our press is very aggressive and that we might get
very aggressive and that we might get caught out and get a one-on-one against
caught out and get a one-on-one against us yeah but we're we're pressing because
us yeah but we're we're pressing because we know that when we win the ball back
we know that when we win the ball back we're winning it in good areas so
we're winning it in good areas so sometimes we're going to be a little bit
sometimes we're going to be a little bit off I hate when a player goes and he's
off I hate when a player goes and he's half going no no no let's fully go
half going no no no let's fully go together yeah um and it's even like with
together yeah um and it's even like with the ball I don't like that when we beat
the ball I don't like that when we beat a line and we go backwards again no no
a line and we go backwards again no no no let's go forward let's go forward so
no let's go forward let's go forward so there things I'll bring up at Time come
there things I'll bring up at Time come on boys let's be more positive let's be
on boys let's be more positive let's be more Brave let's be like you know
more Brave let's be like you know certain games that this season there's
certain games that this season there's only been one or two that I didn't feel
only been one or two that I didn't feel well brave enough and I told him that
well brave enough and I told him that that's not us it can't be us where do
that's not us it can't be us where do you draw the line of um having standards
you draw the line of um having standards and uh giving them confidence that or
and uh giving them confidence that or Security in making mistakes and and
Security in making mistakes and and safety in no be brave I'll support you
safety in no be brave I'll support you even if you try something and you make a
even if you try something and you make a mistake and now you you've tried seven
mistake and now you you've tried seven times and you keep making mistakes and
times and you keep making mistakes and now at some point I need to smash you
now at some point I need to smash you how do you sort of it's a good it's a
how do you sort of it's a good it's a good point it depends on so I have clear
good point it depends on so I have clear principles of play and structures that I
principles of play and structures that I I feel that the players need to like say
I feel that the players need to like say with patterns of play or whatever it is
with patterns of play or whatever it is and so if they're trying to do something
and so if they're trying to do something but they're making that mistake now why
but they're making that mistake now why are they making it is it because they're
are they making it is it because they're not switched on is it because they
not switched on is it because they haven't prepared well um is it because
haven't prepared well um is it because they're just having an off day all right
they're just having an off day all right so if they're having an off day I always
so if they're having an off day I always say it to your teammate oh your
say it to your teammate oh your teammate's having an off day how you
teammate's having an off day how you going to help him through that you know
going to help him through that you know can you recover for him can you actually
can you recover for him can you actually end up being U like your reaction to a
end up being U like your reaction to a mistake because everyone can make a
mistake because everyone can make a mistake it's how you react to that
mistake it's how you react to that mistake are you're going to react by
mistake are you're going to react by hiding again or you're going to react by
hiding again or you're going to react by doing the same sort of thing but you
doing the same sort of thing but you know making sure CU sometimes as a
know making sure CU sometimes as a midfielder you go okay I've made a
midfielder you go okay I've made a mistake now playing the ball forward two
mistake now playing the ball forward two or three times the next one I'm just
or three times the next one I'm just going to make it stick I'm just going to
going to make it stick I'm just going to I'm going to make sure and then grow
I'm going to make sure and then grow myself back into the game um and so
myself back into the game um and so they're little details but we we want
they're little details but we we want standards we got our values we got our
standards we got our values we got our our you know our things that we drive
our you know our things that we drive every day um you know not only uh out on
every day um you know not only uh out on the pitch but off the pitch so we're big
the pitch but off the pitch so we're big on that if someone turns up to late to a
on that if someone turns up to late to a a meeting they have to have a pretty
a meeting they have to have a pretty good reason why they're turning up late
good reason why they're turning up late or meeting if someone's not preparing
or meeting if someone's not preparing right for training they have to have a
right for training they have to have a very good reason why I'm not preparing
very good reason why I'm not preparing right cuz I'm big on respect now you're
right cuz I'm big on respect now you're disrespecting first of all your
disrespecting first of all your teammates yourself the club and the game
teammates yourself the club and the game you know because this is our profession
you know because this is our profession so do everything right to get the best
so do everything right to get the best out of what you can do if you make a
out of what you can do if you make a mistake then I'm comfortable with it
mistake then I'm comfortable with it because we all make it I'm the first one
because we all make it I'm the first one that's still going to make mistakes but
that's still going to make mistakes but I I want the players know to know that
I I want the players know to know that they I'm okay with mistakes I'm not okay
they I'm okay with mistakes I'm not okay with you not preparing and not being
with you not preparing and not being ready
ready for the right attitude with the right
for the right attitude with the right attitude what what would you say now
attitude what what would you say now being playing both sides of the fence
being playing both sides of the fence which would you say is mentally more
which would you say is mentally more difficult as a coach or as a
difficult as a coach or as a player different completely different as
player different completely different as a player no matter what if you had a
a player no matter what if you had a good game and your team didn't win
good game and your team didn't win you're upset but doesn't weigh you down
you're upset but doesn't weigh you down nowhere near as much as I scored a
nowhere near as much as I scored a hatrick we lost
hatrick we lost 4-3 like as a coach you like when the
4-3 like as a coach you like when the team loses you you go okay it's it's on
team loses you you go okay it's it's on me yeah it's on me all right I need to
me yeah it's on me all right I need to go and figure out why we lost how we
go and figure out why we lost how we lost and how to make sure that next time
lost and how to make sure that next time I step foot into that club that the
I step foot into that club that the players know that uh we're on the right
players know that uh we're on the right track and how we can get in the right
track and how we can get in the right direction cuz they're looking at you
direction cuz they're looking at you first so as a player players aren't
first so as a player players aren't necessarily looking at other players
necessarily looking at other players they might it might rub off in them a
they might it might rub off in them a little bit you know if a player's
little bit you know if a player's feeling confident but they're looking at
feeling confident but they're looking at their coach or their leader or whoever
their coach or their leader or whoever it is to go all right this is what we
it is to go all right this is what we have to do to actually make this right
have to do to actually make this right yeah take the pressure off them and then
yeah take the pressure off them and then and and it's not easy sometimes when
and and it's not easy sometimes when you've lost three in a row you go okay I
you've lost three in a row you go okay I need to walk in the hardest thing is so
need to walk in the hardest thing is so when we lose a game if I've given the
when we lose a game if I've given the next day off I'm like so for instance
next day off I'm like so for instance the victory game but don't you were
the victory game but don't you were there at the victory game yeah one of
there at the victory game yeah one of the best games I've seen the one before
the best games I've seen the one before when I lost it yeah was wasn't one of
when I lost it yeah was wasn't one of the best K I see yeah so it was my
the best K I see yeah so it was my daughter's 21st that night oh no you
daughter's 21st that night oh no you beening and the fourth thing I'm so
beening and the fourth thing I'm so angry like and and it's just eating
angry like and and it's just eating you're like eating me up inside so I'm
you're like eating me up inside so I'm like going I'm trying to put on a brave
like going I'm trying to put on a brave F front for my daughter we didn't have a
F front for my daughter we didn't have a big party she had a big party the next
big party she had a big party the next week which was good but and but I'm
week which was good but and but I'm still burning so until that next day
still burning so until that next day that you go in and address your group it
that you go in and address your group it it it's eating you so you don't speak
it it's eating you so you don't speak after games especially in that I speak
after games especially in that I speak briefly yeah I'll touch on something but
briefly yeah I'll touch on something but I won't touch on a whole tactical or
I won't touch on a whole tactical or whatever cuz you know I I learned that
whatever cuz you know I I learned that your emotions can be pretty yeah so if
your emotions can be pretty yeah so if you're going to start to finger
you're going to start to finger point it can get have some apologies end
point it can get have some apologies end up being these finger
up being these finger points they're also for a player as well
points they're also for a player as well player's emotional after a game so it's
player's emotional after a game so it's better that a keep it as a as an even
better that a keep it as a as an even sort of yeah I can be angry but also go
sort of yeah I can be angry but also go okay we'll talk about the tactical side
okay we'll talk about the tactical side and whatever side after the next day and
and whatever side after the next day and until you address that then you're back
until you address that then you're back again to okay we're ready again like
again to okay we're ready again like we're ready to go again cuz the for for
we're ready to go again cuz the for for a day or whatever it's it's the worst
a day or whatever it's it's the worst feeling whereas as a player you you're
feeling whereas as a player you you're down but you know it was a different
down but you know it was a different sort of down hey J Jay's got like pod
sort of down hey J Jay's got like pod Fitness man I feel like we could speak
Fitness man I feel like we could speak to your day I don't I was just going to
to your day I don't I was just going to say you we have this saying with us like
say you we have this saying with us like pod Fitness cuz when it's just us for
pod Fitness cuz when it's just us for obviously we can go for we want and he
obviously we can go for we want and he he doesn't bre like he can go for as
he doesn't bre like he can go for as long as ever You' he's been impressive
long as ever You' he's been impressive some people fatigue some people like
some people fatigue some people like slou but um I'm I'm used to it cuz I've
slou but um I'm I'm used to it cuz I've done like a op sport yeah the long
done like a op sport yeah the long nights yeah the long nights I think
nights yeah the long nights I think unless you boys have anything more um
unless you boys have anything more um got a couple more hours huh yeah couple
got a couple more hours huh yeah couple more hours I'll just I'll just I'll just
more hours I'll just I'll just I'll just give two cents on um I asked J to do a
give two cents on um I asked J to do a podcast like six months ago he said yes
podcast like six months ago he said yes he saw me at a game probably two months
he saw me at a game probably two months ago come up to me and said I owe your
ago come up to me and said I owe your podcast credit to him we he's brought us
podcast credit to him we he's brought us in we've seen this whole club is such a
in we've seen this whole club is such a similar to what you said about osasuna
similar to what you said about osasuna this is has a very family esque like
this is has a very family esque like feel to it like we were we've gone in
feel to it like we were we've gone in the kitchen the chef's given us some
the kitchen the chef's given us some food Mel's giving us this big tour kids
food Mel's giving us this big tour kids are running around you guys are getting
are running around you guys are getting results as well it just feels like
results as well it just feels like there's a lot going on here that you
there's a lot going on here that you your experiences may be touched on and
your experiences may be touched on and obviously the ownership and support it's
obviously the ownership and support it's a very special place I I feel that that
a very special place I I feel that that especially it's all good now because the
especially it's all good now because the results have been there of late it's um
results have been there of late it's um I think your environment is so important
I think your environment is so important because uh players and we've all played
because uh players and we've all played or or followed the game and you know
or or followed the game and you know that if you're going into work and
that if you're going into work and you're happy you improve a lot quicker
you're happy you improve a lot quicker than if you go into an environment that
than if you go into an environment that you're not happy yeah and and I and I
you're not happy yeah and and I and I felt that that my years in Spain that's
felt that that my years in Spain that's where I felt that I improved the most
where I felt that I improved the most and I felt at my best because I loved
and I felt at my best because I loved going into to train I Lov going into
going into to train I Lov going into work yes she still had the um you know
work yes she still had the um you know the pressures of performing on a weekend
the pressures of performing on a weekend and then the results and all that but
and then the results and all that but this just made it so much easier so I
this just made it so much easier so I feel that if you can create an
feel that if you can create an environment like that it's not always
environment like that it's not always easy um but if you can create that then
easy um but if you can create that then I think you're on the way to something
I think you're on the way to something special so you we we feel that we're
special so you we we feel that we're we're off to a good start this season um
we're off to a good start this season um we still got you know quite a few games
we still got you know quite a few games left but the young boys have really
left but the young boys have really stepped up doing well super impressive
stepped up doing well super impressive and it's
and it's positive yeah I think what a what a way
positive yeah I think what a what a way to wrap there um again from us from
to wrap there um again from us from myself as well thank you so much for
myself as well thank you so much for your time John like we know that you're
your time John like we know that you're a very busy man thank you to the the
a very busy man thank you to the the broader Western United uh Team for
broader Western United uh Team for everything they've done for us um that
everything they've done for us um that was amazing thank you so much for your
was amazing thank you so much for your Insight um boers again where else you
Insight um boers again where else you going to get ja on giving this type of
going to get ja on giving this type of insight so for that I'm going to need
insight so for that I'm going to need you to subscribe on Spotify on YouTube
you to subscribe on Spotify on YouTube YouTube Apple's coming I'm working on it
YouTube Apple's coming I'm working on it it's being tough for me five stars on
it's being tough for me five stars on Spotify like on YouTube follow on
Spotify like on YouTube follow on Instagram if you're not we love you John
Instagram if you're not we love you John thank you fellas that was awesome Bravo
thank you fellas that was awesome Bravo thank you mate that was awesome
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