Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Andy Vargas Vargas on stepping up… Diegos: "Last season, you almost took on the role as the apprentice to the consummate hard man of Aussie soccer, Lubo Lapsansky. He of course, joined Parramatta Power in the off-season. Do you feel that the pressure is now on you to step up and do the business in the midfield? Has coach, Andrew Marth emphasized this to you during pre-season?' Vargas: "Stabber had a chat to me during our pre-season tour of Vietnam basically telling me that he wanted me to step up. I look forward to that kind of a challenge. I'm not the kind of player who just fills in spots. With Lubo going I think that challenge has been presented and I'll be looking forward to it." Soft Sombrero Moment October 2001
Diegos: "The Diegos know Lubo as a soccer-playing biter and scratcher of the highest order. No doubt he has taught you nearly everything you know. Will you use the renowned Lapsansky trash-talk and ankle taps on Lubo himself, when you go head to head later this season? Vargas: "Naturally I'm a very passionate guy. I come from a South American background so that's part of my game I guess. Maybe the aggression that I have is something that I was born with. I don't think I can teach Lubo too much. He is a class player with a lot of experience but there's no doubt that I'll give him a great contest when we next meet up." Soft Sombrero Moment October 2001 Vargas on proving a point to Eddie… Diegos: "We know that you are preparing for the big one against the Adelaide Croweaters tonight but you must have in the back of your mind, the big derby that's coming up in the next couple of weeks between the Melbourne Knights and South Melbourne. With Carlton gone this is the big one in Melbourne. Do the players look forward to this contest more than other games and will you set yourself for a big one given that you might have a point to prove to your former Carlton coach, Eddie Krncevic?" Vargas: "Its always going to be a big rivalry between Melbourne Knights and South Melbourne, even more so now given that they are the only two Melbourne teams. It doesn't matter where the teams are on the ladder it's always going to be a big game. With Eddie, I don't think that I have a point to prove, but I do have a little more incentive to play well against his teams." Soft Sombrero Moment October 2001
Diegos: "The Knights have come out strongly in past weeks declaring that the club's long term future is not at their current home - the Knights Stadium - but instead Bob Jane stadium or even Colonial. A move to Colonial would be very costly but if it could be managed it would be an exciting prospect for any soccer club. Do you, as a senior player at the club, have a preference about where home should be?' Vargas: "I think a move to Colonial Stadium would be very positive but it's very intimidating for the opposition to come down and play the Knights at Knights Stadium. It's not an ideal place to come and play and I think that works for us a lot. Hopefully until a decision is made we can keep it to our advantage and we can get some victories under our belt there." Diegos: "Would the boys be in favour of Colonial because it's closer to the nightclubs?" Vargas: "No the boys are very professional off the field so there's nothing like that, well at least that's what we tell 'Stabber'." Diegos: "The club is promoting your Saturday night home games as 'Saturday Night Fever'. Do you and the boys star under the revolving silver ball in the 'Bat Cave' Social Club after the game?" Vargas: "We do show our faces after the game and we enjoy spending some time with our supporters. This is more so after a win rather that a loss. Everyone likes to get there and have a few drinks obviously only the waters and lemonades, and enjoy the atmosphere." Soft Sombrero Moment October 2001
Diegos: "It's an understatement to say that Knights coach, 'Stabber' Marth is a demanding type of character. What 's been Marthy's message to the Knights boys this season? Is it 'Kill' and 'Mame' at all costs or does he preach a more cultured game of football? Vargas: "Stabber is pretty calm and calculated and his approach is to play football. I've seen him get fired up a couple of times and that's something you don't want to see because he is a scary man." Soft Sombrero Moment October 2001 |