Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Andrew 'Stabber' Marth Marth on returning to the Knights… Diegos: "It's rumoured that long-time supporters of the Knights shed a tear of joy on your return to the club this season.
Ok, there's no Viduka, no Tiatto and there's been no championship cup for a while, but there is the Bat Cave Disco, a cocky, young administration and the smell of finals in the air. Is it starting to seem like old times again?" Marth: "Most definitely. We've got a lot of young boys coming up through the ranks and the team is looking good. Old times are due and I reckon the current crop of Knight's players can take me back to the good times of Viduka, Tiatto and all the others in those champion Knights teams." Soft Sombrero Moment April 2001
Diegos: "After the departure of Vlado Vanis you were installed as the captain-coach of the team. It's a role that is uncommon in modern professional sport. How do you cope with being 'Captain Blood' on the field and an astute tactical, motivational genius off it?" Marth: "So far it's been pretty good mostly due to the fact that I have a really competent assistant in Mark Talajich. Anything I miss Mark usually picks up so up until now we have complimented each other well." Diegos: "The message to your charges when you first took on the double whammy leadership role at the Knight was 'It's my way or the highway'. Publicly that was as tough as any 'Stabber' Marth tackle and left the players in no doubt about your coaching methods. Privately though, behind closed doors, do the players ever get to see the softer side of 'Stabber'? Marth: "I suppose you better ask the team that question. When things are going well I think I'm quite fair but I suppose when things aren't going so well I have been known to lose my temper. In the end however I believe the way I react is always for the benefit of the players and the club so I'm not too worried about it. I think I've taken a bit from all the coaches I've been under. The likes of Eddie Thomson, Stuart Munro and John Gardiner come to mind. Hopefully I can mould the best aspects from each to develop my own effective style of coaching." Diegos: "Stabber, what's the worst thing you've ever done or said to a player since you have been coach?" Marth: "Well I can't really divulge that on a family website like the Four Diegos. Let's just say I have been known to be a bit grumpy." Soft Sombrero Moment April 2001
Diegos: "It's a little known fact but the Diegos Research Department tells us that outside soccer you are one of most successful carpet sales reps in the country. Life outside of the game for you has always been very important and probably cost you more representative honours for the Socceroos.
With the boys scoring goals by the carpet truck load up in idyllic Coffs Harbour, do you ever regret not making the Socceroos a bigger focus in your life?" Marth: "Most definitely especially when I was younger. I suppose looking back I'm pretty happy with what I've achieved in my life in and out of soccer. My career outside the game has been very important to me but the downside to that is that at times it took the focus away from soccer. Balance in my life is very important and I think that's what I have achieved. In Australia it's very difficult to earn a good living merely by playing soccer so its important for any young players coming through at the moment to train hard but also study hard so they have something to go to after they finish playing. I don't think enough young players do this. Not every player is going to make it overseas were the big money is. Perhaps clubs should be more active in structuring programs to help aid players to achieve a sensible balance in the lives." Soft Sombrero Moment April 2001
Diegos: "Talking about reality, what chance is there that the Knights can repeat the 4-0 belting you gave South Melbourne if you do meet them in the finals?" Marth: "To be honest, no hope in the world." Soft Sombrero Moment April 2001
Diegos: "The 'Stabber' Marth legend on the field really does precede you. You like it tough, you like it hard, man against man, will against will, late tackle against late tackle. You've played in this league a long time. Do they breed them as tough as they used to in the NSL and with the years have you still got the same taste for blood as you've always had?" Marth: "No, not really. I only want to play a hard, physical game, which I think is fair. I must say that the referees these days have really over-officious and I think that ruins the game." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diego: "I noticed this week that Stuart Munro was criticizing referees for some of their bookings and so forth. Do you have any opinions about that? Marth: "Yes, I tend to agree with Stuart. There was an incident last night where Alex Moriera was in the box and clearly fouled. The referee booked Alex for diving, which was a complete joke; it should have been a penalty." Diego: "Do you ever think, " I'm going to get a yellow card anyway, so I may as well make it a good one?" Marth: "Well, there is the old saying, 'You can get a yellow card, or you can hurt someone for it,' so…yeah." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: "Your Socceroo career has been in hibernation in recent years. You were absent from our ill-fated World Cup games against Iran in 97', a tie that the Diegos still argue could've been won had we had some 'Stabber' aggro in the middle of the park to sort out some of those Iranians. It's no secret that Socceroo coach, Frank Farina is fan of your play. Are you still hopeful of a return to the Socceroos?" Marth: "I certainly do. You always like to play for the Socceroos but, first and foremost, my main objective for this year is to win the title for Carlton and that's what we're trying to achieve." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: "You're still held in high regard by your former club, the Melbourne Knights, where you spent many successful years. There is talk of the club naming the car park after you, in recognition of the number of opposition strikers that ended up in there after you tackled them. Do you still have fond memories of the club and what are your thoughts of their plight at present?" Marth: "Great memories… probably the best of my career. At the present moment, a good friend of mine is the president there. Vlado's taken over the last two weeks and has done quite well. They are always going to have a great fighting nature about them and that's what has got us through to win the Grand Final and I think it will continue." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: "No doubt the 'Bare All' Matilda's calendar has stirred the loins of many of the Carlton boys in the change room. It has been a great marketing ploy by the girls. Has Carlton general manager, Lou Sticca, talked to the boys about the possibility of a nude Carlton calendar? Shots of Stuart Munro giving a pep talk nude, the boys pumping weights nude or signing autographs after the game nude would be a sure winner don't you think?" Marth: "He has, yes, and I tell you that it's a good possibility. Some of the boys have great bodies. I'm sure a lot of the women in Australia would appreciate it." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diego: "Do you see the NSL trying to bring out high profile players in an attempt to lift the league's profile?" Marth: "Well, you know, if they bring them out, you would want some form of repayment, not just to be escorted off the first weekend. Judging by the crowd--only about 5000 people--I don't know if it would be feasible or not." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: " NSL clubs are striving hard to improve the quality of the competition by turning full time and recruiting high profile players. In your opinion, is there any player in the NSL who is potentially in the superstar class?" Marth: "I think the young boy from Perth, Ergic, will be quite a player. He already is, judging by the games I've seen him play so far; he's outstanding. He actually destroyed us last week, so I think, from what I've seen, he'll be really, really good." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diego: "Did you ever really seek an overseas contract or was it ever for you?" Marth: "I had actually signed a contract with a German club but I reneged on it for some stupid reason. One of the big regrets of my life but...that's life. I made a good opportunity and a good life here in Australia and I'm happy." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999 |