Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Stuart Munro

Munro on Mitchell…

Diegos: " You spent last year playing under another rookie coach, David Mitchell at Sydney United. The Four Diegos reckon he did a magnificent job at the club with limited resources.

Other than developing a real hate for opposition goalkeepers, did you learn anything about being a first time coach from 'Big Mitch'?"

Munro: "Definitely. 'Mitch' is a great friend of mine. He was the reason l went to Sydney in the first place. I thought what he actually achieved last season under very difficult circumstances, was incredible. He is a very knowledgeable coach.

As far as goalkeepers are concerned David's approach on the field is their problem. I think David has still got the ability to be one of the best and most feared strikers in the Ericsson Cup, if he can remain fit. I learned a few things from Dave and l think he learned a few things from me.

We worked quite closely last year and he gave me a little of the coaching responsibility and it all seem to work quite well."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Munro on the good old-fashioned country hospitality at Gippy…

Diegos: " It's a long road trip to Gippy for opposing teams. To be honest there are a number of players in the Ericsson Cup who absolutely hate the trip.

We want to know, whatever happened to 'Good Old Fashion Country Hospitality' and why do you think opposition teams detest the trip down to Gippy?"

Munro:" Funnily enough, when l was at Sydney United last season, and we arrived here to play, it was a beautiful evening. The pitch was looking lovely. I thought what is all this complaining about?

I think what a lot of people forget is that the Falcons have to travel every second week. Everyone else has to come to Gippsland just once a year. For our trip to Newcastle just recently, we had to leave at 5.00 am in the morning to drive two and half hours to Melbourne Airport.

Then we had to take the flight from Melbourne to Sydney, then drive another two hours from Sydney to Newcastle. We had to get out of our beds in the afternoon and play a game at night, all in the space of one day. So if there's a little hardship for opposing teams, you can guarantee that we will use it to our advantage.

I think you'll find that the hospitality after the game is always pretty good down here at Gippy though."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Munro advice…

Diegos: "You are a veteran of perhaps the most frenetic derby in world soccer - The Old Firm derby between Glasgow Rangers and Glasgow Celtic. That must have been close to the pinnacle of your career.

What can you pass on to the younger players at Gippy from experiences like that?"

Munro: " Most of the younger players in Australia want to get to that level and play in that type of arena, in the big local derbies, in front of 80,000 to 90,000 people every week.

I always found it a different experience and something l never really got used to, but it was always an occasion l enjoyed taking part in. It's the type of game were very little communication took place because of the noise from the terraces, and basically you had to concentrate on the game all the time.

It's that type of highlight in my career that l try and pass on to the younger players down here at the Falcons. These players are good enough to reach that level, but whether they are hungry enough to do so is another matter."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Munro on Viduka…

Diegos: " In the last week, all the media reports have suggested that Socceroo, Mark Viduka is about to join Glasgow Celtic in the Scottish Premier league for $8 million.

Is there any advice you can give Mark about cooking haggis, pouring Guinness, the type of kilt he should wear and playing soccer in Scotland?"

Munro: " He should take a very, very warm kilt; one that you can wear from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet. He is going at a time when it's starting to turn really, really icy cold.

Other than that, l think he will enjoy it there. The professionalism in the Scottish game is now at a high level. Most of the teams have star players from all over Europe, so he probably won't find it that difficult to settle in. The one thing he may find hard to get used to is that he'll never find an easy game.

People keep saying its really just about Rangers and Celtic, and when it comes to winning the honours that is probably the case, but you still have to front up to the Kilmarnocks, Motherwells and the Dundees every week and these are seldom easy games to play. He'll find this aspect of the Scottish game very tough to adapt to."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Munro on Canosa…

Diegos: " We notice that on the bench with you every week is your right hand man (bodyguard/minder call him what you like!), former uncompromising hard man defender, Claudio 'The Argentinean Claw' Canosa.

Have you allowed Claudio to pass on some of his take no prisoners, South American defensive tactics to the young Gippy Falcon defenders?"

Munro: " Yeh, Claudio does try to educate the young boys; sometimes quite loudly. On the Falcon's bench everyone wears earplugs when Claudio's around.

His got a great enthusiasm and knowledge for the Australian game. He has been invaluable to myself as far as recruiting around Australia and in the local Victorian Premier league is concerned.

He is still a very fit man and very much, part of the squad. He will be available to play if selected."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Munro on Thompson…

Diegos: " Tell us a little about your young gun striker, Archie Thompson. His got a groovy hairstyle and has a real feel for the game.

How good can he get?"

Munro: " I've been really impressed with Archie since l took over here at the Falcons. I knew last year that he was used primarily as an impact player, coming off the bench. When l spoke to him during the off-season, I told him that l wanted him to be one of my star players.

I basically put the onus back on him to prove to me that he is good enough to be worthy of a place for 90 minutes every week. To be fair, at this point in time, l certainly can't complain.

It's really pleasing at present to see that he is prepared to put in the hard yards to try and be successful. I definitely think he has the ability to go all the way, but it is in his own hands."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999