http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1226157617366
I HAVE lived in Melbourne for three weeks now and I get the impression that some people think I'm here for a picnic.
It's pretty frustrating because this could not be further from the truth. I'm here to play football, I'm not here to take the mickey and never have done.
This is my workplace and I would never treat my office like a circus because I'd be disrespecting myself, my team and my club.
I've come back to Australia to make a difference. I've had my differences with FFA and previous Australian federations but my fans have always been 100 per cent behind me. While I have not been here long I feel like Melbourne's adopted me and I don't say that lightly because I know what it's like to be loved and hated. My last three years in Istanbul with Galatasaray were amazing and I had a special relationship with the fans. Liverpool fans were amazing too and they didn't mind having a go either, which they're entitled to do.
Melbourne v Sydney
I have not played a competitive game since May so I've been doing extra training in Melbourne, which has not left me time for much else.
For those who haven't noticed with my accent I moved away from Australia age 15, but coming home has sparked some memories from our old Socceroos camps.
I became aware of the Melbourne-Sydney rivalry from the moment I was involved with the Socceroos 15 years ago. We always had some banter between us Socceroos, arguing which is the better city, and I can tell you that Mark Viduka, Josip Skoko, Mark Bresciano and Vinnie Grella were all parochial Melburnians, or Victorians in Skoko's case.
Being born and bred in Sydney, most people expected me to go home and I must admit I did seriously consider the Sydney FC offer.
No disrespect to Sydney, who were very professional when we dealt with them, but it was a football decision and I felt that Melbourne was a better place for me to play my football and the facilities played a huge part.
And my respect for the AAMI Park precinct has only grown while watching some of the Melbourne Storm NRL players go about their business in the gym.
Leaving for Leeds
Returning to Australia permanently for the first time as an adult allows me to reflect on my 18 years abroad.
A lot of players swap Australia for Europe with mixed results. It's hard to speak about why some players fail and others succeed, and as for myself I never really had a plan B.
Going to Leeds United as a teenager, I knew I was going to take an English player's position so I told myself that I had to adapt quickly.
As is usually the case with a triallist, some of the players felt threatened so they didn't exactly greet me with open arms so I had to earn their respect and the only way to do that is to work hard and perform.
My aim was to break into the first team as quick as possible and nothing was ever going to stop me.
It's important for young Australian players to have the same mindset when they go abroad - it's a cut-throat industry and sometimes you only get one chance to impress so make the most of it.
I want to push my teammates to the point that they'll probably hate me for coming in but in the end we will all benefit.
Times have changed
In Europe you can't afford to enjoy yourself as footballers did when I first started because of the scrutiny and the sheer volume of games - teams play anywhere between 40-to-60 games when you factor in league, cup and European games.
When I started in the UK, each paper had a few pages dedicated to football and it was primarily positive, but the Sky TV money changed everything. Now there's a lot more scandals and focus on players' lives.
You know you're going to be scrutinised, if you want to go out and have a drink, be sure that there'll be someone watching you and even if it doesn't make the papers, the manager tends to find out.
In Turkey they had around 13 papers dedicated solely to football and that's hundreds of pages they have to fill. You can have the odd break when the opportunity arises but you can't afford to go out, drink and party constantly.
The Victory
I'm impressed with what I've seen from my teammates - a few tweaks need to be made but we're on track.
The games are going to be very open and there will be chances at either end, which is exciting for neutrals, and hopefully we can produce exciting games.
I've played with some of the boys but it'll take time for me to adapt, but I think I've come back to Australia at the right time.
I've worked hard but my body's holding up well and my personal physio will be arriving from the UK soon which will help.
A lot of people have backed us already but we know we have to work harder than everyone else first - winning football matches can only come after that. My goal is to play well, enjoy it and of course be successful for club and country.
If you don't play well for your club you'll struggle to play for the national team and I'm no exception and never have been. I'm always there and available for the Socceroos and I agree with what Holger Osieck says, in that I need match fitness.
With only four days to go until the opener against Sydney FC at Etihad Stadium, training will be short but intense with places for spots bound to be very competitive.
HARRY'S BEST OF
Coach
GUUS HIDDINK
Guus was great and did wonders with the Socceroos. Frank Rijkaard, my Galatasaray coach, was brilliant as well, a close second.
Teammate
DAVID BATTY
Knew his role, knew how to play the game — one, two touch and played easy. You could knock the ball in any height and he’d control it and play it. I knew I’d get it at my feet.
Most skilful player
AYDIN YILMAZ
A young Turkish player at Galatasaray, his ability, his speed, his engines were phenomenal.
Just lacking confidence to go to the next level.
Toughest opponent
GARY NEVILLE
It grates me to say it. We had a great rivalry, he was tough, knew how to get away with things and gave you a bit off the ball and in your ear all day.
Best opponent
ZINEDINE ZIDANE
Lined up against him with the Socceroos and it was like watching running water. So smooth and so graceful on the ball.
Toughest tackler
JOHN TERRY
He got me sweet once, flipped me over. Neil Ruddock and Vinnie Jones were nightmares. Kevin Muscat gets an honourable mention, but I was lucky he went easy on me.
Toughest teammate
STEVEN GERRARD
Before we were teammates I came up against him in one of his first games when he was right back I had no idea who he was but he gave me a torrid time.
Best goal
v ARSENAL AT HIGHBURY IN 2003
It was the goal that kept Leeds in the Premiership. When Jason Wilcox played it long, I controlled it and shot early to catch out David Seaman. Arsene Wenger thought I handballed it. To score against such a player in such a high pressure game was memorable.
--------------------------
I thought I'd post this up cause he talks a bit about Liverpool, and he mentions Gerrard as his toughest teammate
I HAVE lived in Melbourne for three weeks now and I get the impression that some people think I'm here for a picnic.
It's pretty frustrating because this could not be further from the truth. I'm here to play football, I'm not here to take the mickey and never have done.
This is my workplace and I would never treat my office like a circus because I'd be disrespecting myself, my team and my club.
I've come back to Australia to make a difference. I've had my differences with FFA and previous Australian federations but my fans have always been 100 per cent behind me. While I have not been here long I feel like Melbourne's adopted me and I don't say that lightly because I know what it's like to be loved and hated. My last three years in Istanbul with Galatasaray were amazing and I had a special relationship with the fans. Liverpool fans were amazing too and they didn't mind having a go either, which they're entitled to do.
Melbourne v Sydney
I have not played a competitive game since May so I've been doing extra training in Melbourne, which has not left me time for much else.
For those who haven't noticed with my accent I moved away from Australia age 15, but coming home has sparked some memories from our old Socceroos camps.
I became aware of the Melbourne-Sydney rivalry from the moment I was involved with the Socceroos 15 years ago. We always had some banter between us Socceroos, arguing which is the better city, and I can tell you that Mark Viduka, Josip Skoko, Mark Bresciano and Vinnie Grella were all parochial Melburnians, or Victorians in Skoko's case.
Being born and bred in Sydney, most people expected me to go home and I must admit I did seriously consider the Sydney FC offer.
No disrespect to Sydney, who were very professional when we dealt with them, but it was a football decision and I felt that Melbourne was a better place for me to play my football and the facilities played a huge part.
And my respect for the AAMI Park precinct has only grown while watching some of the Melbourne Storm NRL players go about their business in the gym.
Leaving for Leeds
Returning to Australia permanently for the first time as an adult allows me to reflect on my 18 years abroad.
A lot of players swap Australia for Europe with mixed results. It's hard to speak about why some players fail and others succeed, and as for myself I never really had a plan B.
Going to Leeds United as a teenager, I knew I was going to take an English player's position so I told myself that I had to adapt quickly.
As is usually the case with a triallist, some of the players felt threatened so they didn't exactly greet me with open arms so I had to earn their respect and the only way to do that is to work hard and perform.
My aim was to break into the first team as quick as possible and nothing was ever going to stop me.
It's important for young Australian players to have the same mindset when they go abroad - it's a cut-throat industry and sometimes you only get one chance to impress so make the most of it.
I want to push my teammates to the point that they'll probably hate me for coming in but in the end we will all benefit.
Times have changed
In Europe you can't afford to enjoy yourself as footballers did when I first started because of the scrutiny and the sheer volume of games - teams play anywhere between 40-to-60 games when you factor in league, cup and European games.
When I started in the UK, each paper had a few pages dedicated to football and it was primarily positive, but the Sky TV money changed everything. Now there's a lot more scandals and focus on players' lives.
You know you're going to be scrutinised, if you want to go out and have a drink, be sure that there'll be someone watching you and even if it doesn't make the papers, the manager tends to find out.
In Turkey they had around 13 papers dedicated solely to football and that's hundreds of pages they have to fill. You can have the odd break when the opportunity arises but you can't afford to go out, drink and party constantly.
The Victory
I'm impressed with what I've seen from my teammates - a few tweaks need to be made but we're on track.
The games are going to be very open and there will be chances at either end, which is exciting for neutrals, and hopefully we can produce exciting games.
I've played with some of the boys but it'll take time for me to adapt, but I think I've come back to Australia at the right time.
I've worked hard but my body's holding up well and my personal physio will be arriving from the UK soon which will help.
A lot of people have backed us already but we know we have to work harder than everyone else first - winning football matches can only come after that. My goal is to play well, enjoy it and of course be successful for club and country.
If you don't play well for your club you'll struggle to play for the national team and I'm no exception and never have been. I'm always there and available for the Socceroos and I agree with what Holger Osieck says, in that I need match fitness.
With only four days to go until the opener against Sydney FC at Etihad Stadium, training will be short but intense with places for spots bound to be very competitive.
HARRY'S BEST OF
Coach
GUUS HIDDINK
Guus was great and did wonders with the Socceroos. Frank Rijkaard, my Galatasaray coach, was brilliant as well, a close second.
Teammate
DAVID BATTY
Knew his role, knew how to play the game — one, two touch and played easy. You could knock the ball in any height and he’d control it and play it. I knew I’d get it at my feet.
Most skilful player
AYDIN YILMAZ
A young Turkish player at Galatasaray, his ability, his speed, his engines were phenomenal.
Just lacking confidence to go to the next level.
Toughest opponent
GARY NEVILLE
It grates me to say it. We had a great rivalry, he was tough, knew how to get away with things and gave you a bit off the ball and in your ear all day.
Best opponent
ZINEDINE ZIDANE
Lined up against him with the Socceroos and it was like watching running water. So smooth and so graceful on the ball.
Toughest tackler
JOHN TERRY
He got me sweet once, flipped me over. Neil Ruddock and Vinnie Jones were nightmares. Kevin Muscat gets an honourable mention, but I was lucky he went easy on me.
Toughest teammate
STEVEN GERRARD
Before we were teammates I came up against him in one of his first games when he was right back I had no idea who he was but he gave me a torrid time.
Best goal
v ARSENAL AT HIGHBURY IN 2003
It was the goal that kept Leeds in the Premiership. When Jason Wilcox played it long, I controlled it and shot early to catch out David Seaman. Arsene Wenger thought I handballed it. To score against such a player in such a high pressure game was memorable.
--------------------------
I thought I'd post this up cause he talks a bit about Liverpool, and he mentions Gerrard as his toughest teammate
A tough opponent? I wouldnt consider him 'tough'
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