Etuhu: Keshi will lift Eagles
Fulham and Eagles star Etuhu
Keshi calls up 11 pros
Eagles midfielder Dickson Paul Etuhu has backed
Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi to restore the country’s enviable place in world
football soon.
In this interview, the Fulham star, who is one of only 11 Europe-based stars called up for a 2013 Nations Cup qualifier in Rwanda, has also said he will fight for his first-team place at his London club.
Interview:
QUESTION: How do you feel the first time you were handed a call by Eagles coach?
ETUHU: It was a memorable day, it was a dream come true and I felt honoured when it came, it has been my dream to play for Nigeria all along, even when I was at Norwich City, we talked about it and I always tell my teammates then that I am sure I will play for my country one day and the day I was called, I was on top of the world and happy that I was about actualising one of my dreams as a player.
You were called by the immediate past Eagles coach Samson Siasia after a long absence for a friendly against Ghana in London and you turned it down. Why?
It is something I don’t want to keep talking about because it is in the past but since you ask I will. I was not treated well by the coach, you are in charge of a team for a year and you did not get in touch with one of the players you feel is still relevant. I respect everybody and deserve respect too.
I was not interested to play under him because I was not treated well, the fact remains that I love Nigeria and wanted to represent it when called upon, but I rejected the call to play against Ghana because I was seen as a second fiddle, he called me because some players were not available. I am not going to rubbish myself like that. That was it.
You are back in Eagles under new coach Keshi. What do you have to say with current team?
The first day I met him, I knew why he was the captain of the team for 14 years. He is a man who knows what he is doing and will look you straight in your eyes to tell you what he wants from you and otherwise. If you do it well, he applauds you and if you did not, he shouts at you till you adjust. He is just like the big coaches I have worked with in England. I see him succeeding.
How was the team spirit after being away for more than a year?
It was marvellous. We are together like a family, as a matter of fact since I have been coming to camp, that is the first time I have seen a very high spirit in camp. The training is like matches where everybody puts in his best. We always encourage ourselves and that will go a long way in the team.
Do you see Keshi leading the team to the top?
Yes. He can make us great again. His programmes at training have shown that we should all cooperate with him and give him a chance to build a solid team. No big team in the world springs up in a day, it is a continuous process, the likes of Spain, Brazil, Barcelona, Manchester United etc. We need to have a level of continuity in the team as it helps a team to be strong and have a direction.
In the winter, there are a lot of speculations that you were leaving Fulham. What happened?
At a time, I was playing regularly and that is the joy of every player, but when I was not, I became sad. I wanted to keep playing, so I was frustrated when the coach felt otherwise, but I am back in the team now and hope I will keep playing regularly for the team because that will help me.
Are you still considering moving out of Craven Cottage?
I am concentrating on my career here. I want to retain my spot in the starting team. So, I am not thinking of a transfer now, but in football, you can’t say. Our business is moving.
What could you describe as your best career moment?
That was playing at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. It was the highest level any player could play at, so being there was a great thing to me. It was a dream come true. That is my greatest moment as a footballer.
In this interview, the Fulham star, who is one of only 11 Europe-based stars called up for a 2013 Nations Cup qualifier in Rwanda, has also said he will fight for his first-team place at his London club.
Interview:
QUESTION: How do you feel the first time you were handed a call by Eagles coach?
ETUHU: It was a memorable day, it was a dream come true and I felt honoured when it came, it has been my dream to play for Nigeria all along, even when I was at Norwich City, we talked about it and I always tell my teammates then that I am sure I will play for my country one day and the day I was called, I was on top of the world and happy that I was about actualising one of my dreams as a player.
You were called by the immediate past Eagles coach Samson Siasia after a long absence for a friendly against Ghana in London and you turned it down. Why?
It is something I don’t want to keep talking about because it is in the past but since you ask I will. I was not treated well by the coach, you are in charge of a team for a year and you did not get in touch with one of the players you feel is still relevant. I respect everybody and deserve respect too.
I was not interested to play under him because I was not treated well, the fact remains that I love Nigeria and wanted to represent it when called upon, but I rejected the call to play against Ghana because I was seen as a second fiddle, he called me because some players were not available. I am not going to rubbish myself like that. That was it.
You are back in Eagles under new coach Keshi. What do you have to say with current team?
The first day I met him, I knew why he was the captain of the team for 14 years. He is a man who knows what he is doing and will look you straight in your eyes to tell you what he wants from you and otherwise. If you do it well, he applauds you and if you did not, he shouts at you till you adjust. He is just like the big coaches I have worked with in England. I see him succeeding.
How was the team spirit after being away for more than a year?
It was marvellous. We are together like a family, as a matter of fact since I have been coming to camp, that is the first time I have seen a very high spirit in camp. The training is like matches where everybody puts in his best. We always encourage ourselves and that will go a long way in the team.
Do you see Keshi leading the team to the top?
Yes. He can make us great again. His programmes at training have shown that we should all cooperate with him and give him a chance to build a solid team. No big team in the world springs up in a day, it is a continuous process, the likes of Spain, Brazil, Barcelona, Manchester United etc. We need to have a level of continuity in the team as it helps a team to be strong and have a direction.
In the winter, there are a lot of speculations that you were leaving Fulham. What happened?
At a time, I was playing regularly and that is the joy of every player, but when I was not, I became sad. I wanted to keep playing, so I was frustrated when the coach felt otherwise, but I am back in the team now and hope I will keep playing regularly for the team because that will help me.
Are you still considering moving out of Craven Cottage?
I am concentrating on my career here. I want to retain my spot in the starting team. So, I am not thinking of a transfer now, but in football, you can’t say. Our business is moving.
What could you describe as your best career moment?
That was playing at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. It was the highest level any player could play at, so being there was a great thing to me. It was a dream come true. That is my greatest moment as a footballer.
Let us know how to wish these guys best of luck. He has not done anything bad in answering such question.Questions are meant for answering ,and that he has done. You a re welcome to the squad guy. You just need to raise your game and deliver your fans' expectation.Good luck
So many of us hate Mikel's style of play but i can tell you dat Etuhu is even worst cos sometimes Mikel out of the ordinary give killer passes and assist on goals but snail is faster than Etuhu i mean this dude is so so negative anytime he plays for d SE i wonder wot responsibility Keshi is gonna give him in his team now
WHY you talking like this? He doesn't need Siasia and thats it. Hes not gonna be a training material. And thats past anyway. Welcome Back Dickson Paul Etuhu.
Etuhu all questions are not meant to be answered straight and as a professional you should learn to be diplomatic when answering some sensitive questions.
You have a loud mouth, and the earlier you adjust the better for you. This is the second time you are raising questions about Sai1, if i were you i will dodge the question, because you can never tell, you may still play under Sia1 one day, and maybe it could be when you need the national team most.
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