Verbeek sets record straight on Carle

By Adrian Warren, 8 Oct 2008 Adrian Warren is a Roar Pro

Tagged:: A-League, football, Pim Verbeek, Socceroos, Socceroos coach, World Cup, World Cup qualifier

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Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek today hosed down a potential spat with his Crystal Palace counterpart Neil Warnock after clarifying comments he made about English football and the club’s Australian midfielder Nicky Carle.

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Warnock went on the offensive after it was reported that Dutchman Verbeek felt Carle wasn’t suited by the style of football in the second tier of the English competition.

“The coach should talk about his own performances with Australia, he doesn’t know anything about Palace – when has he seen us play?” Warnock told the South London Press.

“He’s only read newspapers or seen tv games which you can’t possibly judge.

“He should come and see us more often and get a better assessment.”

Verbeek today emphasised not all of his comments about Carle had been reported .

“I think I should have sent him all the tapes of what I have said,” Verbeek said.

“Because if you say something about a player you always get half of what I said.

“I’m not saying that what I said wasn’t true, but they (the media) forget sometimes somethings.

“I never said it was a terrible club, did I. I really love English football, I think Crystal Palace is a great club.

“I only have my doubts about Nicky and his qualities if he wants to be in the Socceroo team for the future.

“That’s all I said. I’m the manager of the Socceroos, I’ve never said anything wrong or stupid or negative about Crystal Palace, but I have no problems to call him (Warnock) and tell him what I’ve said, because he knows that he should not believe what is in the media.”

Verbeek said he didn’t want to talk more about Carle and just wanted him to produce the goods on the field.

“How many games did he play in the last month, in the last year, let him show himself, his qualities,” Verbeek said of Carle.

“The last time he played well was here in the A-League, that’s two years ago.”

Carle said he hadn’t seen reports of Verbeek’s initial comments, but was disappointed at being omitted from the Australian squad for next week’s World Cup qualifier against Qatar in Brisbane.

“I’m someone who always wants to be part of the international side, the biggest honour of any professional to play for their country. The onus is on me to work hard,” Carle said.

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The Crowd Says (78) | Page 1 of Comments

The Bear said | October 8th 2008 @ 8:46am | Report comment

And that’s supposed to set it straight? LMAO.

“Last time he played well was here in the A-League, that’s two years ago.”

I wonder if he can blame the media for that gaff. I seem to remember adulation from Bristol City for helping them do really well as a newly promoted CC League team. Is Pim all of a sudden saying the HAL is better than second tier English League. My oh my, how things change.

Graciously,
The Bear

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The Bear said | October 8th 2008 @ 8:58am | Report comment

This probably puts Slippery Jim’s article from the “roar of the crowd” section, into proper perspective

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jimbo said | October 8th 2008 @ 9:33am | Report comment

Set the record straight?

Pimbo’s opinions have more twists and turns than a Dutch mongrel’s hind leg.

12 months ago Pimbo said it was better to train in the German second division and sit on the bench, than play in the A-League, which is vastly inferior.
This started a mini stampede of our most promising young players who have ambitions to play for the Socceroos to leave and go overseas.

Now, he says Carle did his best work in the A-League.

Pimbo and Arnold won’t pick Carle no matter which team he plays for – he doesn’t fit in with the workhorse robotic defensive style of midfielders that Dutch coaches like.
Clutching at straws for excuses.

How many of us have the opportunity to see any European players live – they play 20 thousand miles away – dumb comment!

I tolerate Pimbo because he is getting results – that’s about it.

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Mick of Newie said | October 8th 2008 @ 9:48am | Report comment

As I said on th Warnock blog:

I know we like his directness but I think that is now over the top, In the last 2 years, Carle has played a handful of games in Turkey, 17 games for Bristol and now 12 for Palace. Clearly someone at Palace liked at least 1 game he played at Bristol. I am sure Pim or Hrenk have not watched every game so how can he comment on the last time he played well. Ask yourself this Pim, when was the last time Mile Sterjovski or David Carney played a good game for their club given Carle has played more games in the last 2 years than these 2 combined.

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jimbo said | October 8th 2008 @ 9:55am | Report comment

Spot on Mick,
he makes up the excuses as he goes along.

Harry hardly played a game all year, but he was the first player picked in Pimbo’s team. Then he says people don’t get picked because they aren’t getting enough first team match practice.

Get used to the Socceroo teams picked for the last year (barring injuries) and their style of play, because that’s what you’ll see for the next 2 years.

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sledgeross said | October 8th 2008 @ 10:01am | Report comment

The problem with the whole Nicky Carle dabate is that after a good season in the A League, where he was dominant and elegantly skilled, he sought pastures new. The problem, as I see it, is that people have somewhat inflated his actual ability due to his cause being championed by media types (yes Fink, Im talking about you!). Nicky has sublime skills, and good vision, but where do you play him? I think Carle is unlucky not to have been picked, but their are plenty of other players who have similary “flown under the radar”, and Im not talking about Max Vieri! Richie Garcia, Joel Porter, Danny Invincible, Kasey Wehrman can all be considered unlucky not to have more caps after serving long apprenticeships in Europe. And what about the old Dean Bouzanis chestnut.
Carle is a fine player, but he is not the first player to be overlooked when the manager has a specific “horses for courses” policy. I firmly believe that this debate causes so much polarity it has confused the actual ability of Nicky. He is a good player who unluckily has not played enough in the green and gold, but he’s not a world beater either.

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Slippery Jim said | October 8th 2008 @ 10:25am | Report comment

The Bear, nice to see you have read my article old buddy, and here I was thinking you had sworn off all things Slippery
Pim was talking about Nick Carle’s quality, not the A-Leagues by the way. You can watch the entire interview with Pim on TWG site for the whole context.

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chris said | October 8th 2008 @ 11:20am | Report comment

love him or hate him, Pim knows creates debate. I actually like him.

In terms of Nicky Carle, I saw him play a couple weeks ago in the Championship for Crystal Palace. He touched the ball maybe ten times, not through any fault of his own. The ball was floating over his head for the entire game, long ball after long ball. The touches that he had on the ball were quite good.

The Championship is a tough physical league, although the actual quality is poor. I have seen a few game this season and the amount of long balls played is unforgiving. I would prefer to watch a good A-League game any day of the week. Bosnich actually himself said on Sunday night (fox sports) that the quality of the Championship is poor.

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sledgeross said | October 8th 2008 @ 11:31am | Report comment

Its true Chris. As a Leeds United fan, Ive endured watching games of the Championship and League 1 for the last few seasons. Its a different ball game down there, its about taking points. There are some quality players in the lower leagues, if the bigger clubs would take a chance, but the general standard of play is probably similar to the A League, but with better quality individual players.

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The Bear said | October 8th 2008 @ 11:43am | Report comment

Sledge… you are correct, the league Carle (and Sterj, Carney et al) is currently in has more in common with International football, than the HAL. It’s about points, it’s not always pretty. Pim should have your ear. And Jim, not sworn off everything Slippery. That would be a bit extreme. And chris, that league was good enough for Cahill, so lets not throw the baby out with the bath water.

Graciously,
The Bear

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