Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Daniel Allsopp
Diegos: "You burst on to the scene as a precocious teenager claiming the golden boot for the top goal scorer at the 1995 Under 17 World Cup in Ecuador. Your transition however, to the senior ranks in the NSL with both South Melbourne and Carlton was indifferent but as fate would have it, Manchester City offered you a golden lifeline to kick-start your career again. Has it surprised you that you seemed to be more suited to professional soccer in England rather than NSL soccer in Australia?" Allsopp: "It's taken me a couple of years to adjust to professional soccer here. I learned a lot in Australia and I did well as a junior but it did take me a bit longer to make the next step. I think the intensity of the sport here has benefited me greatly." Diegos: "You were top goal scorer in a World Cup at the tender age of 15 years. Most youngsters would expect that that sort of achievement would automatically lead to fame, fortune and virtually, the international club of their choice. It's history that this didn't occur for you. In hindsight did the Golden Boot put unwanted pressure on you and do you feel that in the last season and a half, that you've recaptured some of that World cup form?" Allsopp: " I think I really have. I must admit as a junior each step came easily for me. I think that I needed to slow down and grow up for those two or three years. I think I've learnt a lot through having a tougher time of it. I've come through it now so it's worked out well." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: "Manchester City had hit its lowest point in the club's history, relegated to Division two for the first time, when you first joined them. In a relatively short time though, they have recovered and are now on the verge of being promoted to the 'big show' - the English Premier league, once again. How exciting a place is Maine road at the moment and what are your overall impressions of the club?" Allsopp: " It's a really exciting time to be around at the moment because, after three or four years of big disappointments for the club and a lot of managers coming and going, it's finally got some stability now. It is a premier club so we should be in the premiership and it will be great to be a part of that next season, if we can get the promotion." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: " As part of your development, Manchester City manager, Joe Royle has at times, farmed you out to Notts County and more recently, Wrexham in the lower divisions. How hard is it to bond with so many different clubs and do you ever forget where you should be on a given day and roll up to the wrong club?" Allsopp: " It's not too bad. It's good, when you're not playing in the first team, to gain some experience in other places, like Wrexham and Notts County. It's good for my learning, really. Diegos: " Have you ever tried to talk Uncle Joe into loaning you to a super-club club like Manchester United or Liverpool?" Allsopp: "You do have a choice. I was happy when he said that he wanted me to go there. A lot of clubs have come in for me on loan, but I was happy with County and Wrexham, especially with Wrexham being a bit closer. You always have the choice but I thought it was best for me at the time given that I was desperate for first team games."
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