Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Jacob Burns Burns on Leeds United…. Diegos: "Congratulations on virtually jumping straight from NSL footy with Parramatta to Leeds United first team. It has been a meteoric rise. Did you ever think in your wildest dreams that it was going to happen so quickly and at what point did you realize that - 'Hey I think this O'Leary character likes me and his gonna play me in the first team'?" Burns: "It's been fantastic. There are loads of big games over here and it's great to be involved in them. The whole thing has been totally unexpected actually. I've always dreamt of coming over and playing in the Premier league but I just didn't think it would happen so soon. Likewise with O'Leary putting me in so early. I thought I'd have to come over knuckle down and try and do the job and put pressure on the bigger named players that have already established themselves but injuries have crept in and my good form in the reserves has given me a chance." Soft Sombrero Moment November 2000
Diegos: " What's been the single biggest difference between the NSL and the English Premier league?" Burns: "I think just the pace of the game. The quality of players is at a higher standard and that makes it that much more difficult with less time on the ball. You've got world-class players playing n the EPL that can do unbelievable things on the ball. There are so many games; it's very demanding physically and mentally. You only have a couple of days off between each game and with all the travel involved its hard to back up." Soft Sombrero Moment November 2000
Diegos: " You were present on the field last weekend when the amazing Mark Viduka notched 4 goals - one each for the Four Diegos - against Liverpool. It was a special performance. How did you feel watching a fellow Aussie dominant an English Premier League game like that?" Burns: "Fantastic and against such a big team like Liverpool. We went into the game knowing that we needed a good win in front of a home crowd. Viduka is just one of those players who can rise to the occasion. It was a amazing to be out there along side him on the field when he is in that kind of form." Soft Sombrero Moment November 2000
Diegos: "The Socceroos are playing Scotland next Wednesday night and had it not been for a suspension imposed by Soccer Australia on you for not making yourself available for the Olyroos during the Olympics, you would most probably be in that squad. Do you believe what's happened to you in the last couple of months has vindicated your decision to not front up to the Olympics?" Burns: "No I'm just really disappointed. There's nothing more to it really. I love playing for my country. I've done it for the past three or four years with the Olympic team. It's just an unfortunate the situation. I was left out of the final Olyroo squad but was asked to come in as a stand by player but I was at the same time faced with another decision to come over and fulfill another dream over in England. So it was disappointing on one hand to miss the Olympics but at the same time great to be involved over here with a premier league club. Having seen one dream slip through I wasn't prepared to see another disappear also. As for the suspension there's not much to say about that. I wish it wasn't happening and as far as I know it still stands. I'd love to be playing against Scotland but I guess it's not to be. I'll just bide my time and keep doing well at Leeds and hopefully be involved with the upcoming games in our off-season.' Soft Sombrero Moment November 2000
Diegos: " Leeds manager, David O'Leary looks like a nice man with his hair parted on the side and he talks like a nice man but many Aussies don't like him because he supposedly won't let the Aussie boys come back to play for their country. What's David really like and has anything been mentioned to you about representing Australia in the future?" Burns: "No not at all. Maybe I was a little bit of a scapegoat and used as an example because in the past there has been a lot of conflict between Soccer Australia and Leeds. From a personal point of view he has never said 'you can't play for your country'. I can't speak on behalf of the other Aussie boys but the club seems fine and they've never put pressure on me. He seems a fairly sound kind of guy and he plays me so I can't really be too unhappy with him can I?" Soft Sombrero Moment November 2000
Diegos: "What's it like playing for an English club that's teeming with Aussies?" Burns: "I think it's a lot easier when you've got fellow Aussies at a club that have already established themselves as great players. You gain a lot more respect from all the English players and the other foreign players because you've got Mark and Harry around. There are so many Aussies here at the moment that I think that we almost rule the place anyway. " Diegos: "Do you and the other Aussies get away by the Thames, stoke up a Barbie, sink some 'tinnies' and reminisce about Australia on your day off?" Burns: "I wish we did. The weather has been so bad over here I think the beer and the Barbie would freeze solid if we ever tried." Soft Sombrero Moment November 2000 |