Newcastle captain Nigel Boogaard is not at all surprised David Carney made disparaging comments about his former teammates, saying he acted the same way even while at the club.
Carney re-signed with his first A-League team Sydney FC this week, after the Jets reluctantly released the in-form 32-year-old utility from his contract with only hours left in the January transfer window.
The former Socceroo didn’t take long to twist the knife into ex-teammates, likening his first training session with the Sky Blues to being back in the national set-up compared with Scott Miller’s struggling squad.
“It reminded me of being back with the Socceroos again … with Newcastle, I just thought with the quality of players compared to here, you can sort of get flat,” Carney said on Wednesday.
While Boogaard said he hadn’t heard Carney’s remarks, they didn’t come as a shock.
“David made that quite clear every day he was at training, that the quality disparity was there,” he said.
“He’s entitled to his opinion, but nothing surprising there in terms of his comments.
“I wish him all the best with the Socceroos – I mean, Sydney.”
Boogaard denied the protracted saga over Carney’s release has been a distraction for the rest of the team as they attempt to rekindle a largely dispiriting season.
But he hinted the Jets were relieved to see the back of their winger, despite his standout performances.
“He obviously wanted to be somewhere else, and the culture we’re trying to create at this club, if players don’t want to be here then all the best to them,” Boogaard said.
“The players that are willing to learn and move forward under the coaching staff we’ve got, and want to play for the shirt and this town, we welcome with open arms.
“It’s happened, it’s done, we move on and so be it.”
Miller has already offset the loss with new signings Olyroo Steven Ugarkovic and former Danish international Morten Nordstrand.
Both debuted off the bench in last weekend’s 1-0 loss to Adelaide, an improved display following a humiliating 6-1 home defeat to Perth.
Boogaard didn’t play against the Reds, having received his eighth A-League red card against the Glory that left his side toiling with 10 men for half the match.
The 29-year-old skipper was disappointed to have let his team down, but hoped he could contribute more against title contenders Melbourne City at Hunter Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The ninth-placed Jets still have a mathematical chance of making the top six for a finals berth, but will be up against it to beat City’s rampant attack that dismantled them 4-0 in December.
Bob Brown
Roar Guru
Criticism should be taken as something positive and motivate you to change and do better. Scott Miller is a bright young man and I think he will learn greatly from this. Maybe he does need to expand his thinking and training methods. I'm sure experienced coaches like Arnie and Ange would love to mentor him further. The jets played very well without Carney against Adelaide last week and I'm expecting an upset win against Melb City at home. Go you Jets!
j binnie
Guest
Real - Quite right, but of course everyone is not as sensible as they should be.Actually my comment was not meant to defend Carney or put down Boogard or the Jets, it was the use of the word "slur" (make insinuations against) when in fact neither player IMO did that ,both stating what they considered to be truths,but of course we have to consider the "impact" all journos appear to want in their offerings.Cheers jb
Realfootball
Guest
Highly likely Carney was stating the truth, but he should have kept it to himself. Very poor form. Jb, we are all entitled to our opinions, but prudence is required when stating them in sensitive situations.
j binnie
Guest
This attention seeking headline is not only "downputting" to Nigel (who states he hasn't actually read these "slurs") nor to David,who in many people's eyes,was simply stating a fact of football life. When one looks at the differing situations at the moment the Jets come out "way down the ladder" when compared with the top teams in the HAL at this point in time. First of all there is the ownership issue that has not yet been solved and there would be little doubt that there are things going on at the higher management levels (FFA) that would reduce Jets down the range of priorities Then there is the crowd factor for there is little doubt SFC have a drawing potential that far outstrips what the Jet's faithful fans can hope to match.This in turn creates atmosphere not to mention potential income from finance gleaned from many different sources. The league position at the moment also backs up Carney's alleged comments for with Jet's 17 points adrift of the present leader it would almost be a miracle if Jet's made the top 6. So what was it that Carney actually said.??? The training is more like the Socceroos? With an ex Socceroo coach in charge at Sydney is that surprising? .There are better players at that club?. The league position tends to back up that statement. Actually Nigel Boogard's quoted statements further down this article made much more sensible reading than the headline suggested and one can only hope that their philosophy will bear fruit in the near future,for the HAL needs Jets, albeit an identity not burdened by the present travails. Dave Carney is a footballing "gypsy", we all know that, but as a footballer he is entitled to an opinion and the media should ensure that opinion is correctly stated, not with the intent of "making mischief " jb