Q: What has been your worst goal drought?
No idea ... maybe last season when I scored in our first four games then didn't score for four or five months. It's not a nice thing. At the end of every season, people look at how many goals a striker scores. They don't say "he played a lot of good games". It is always important to keep believing in yourself which isn't easy when you aren't scoring.
Q: How has Merrick changed the playing culture so quickly?
We are playing a more attacking type of football and there are five to 10 opportunities to score every game whereas last season in some games there were only one or two chances. As a striker, you know there will be chances now. From the first day, Ernie worked hard to keep possession, tried to get a lot of passes between a lot of players and for players to be confident on the ball. Last year, we played a lot of long ball. Now we try to play through the midfield. Ernie kept us doing the same things in training even when we weren't winning and it is starting to pay off.
Q: How did you end up in Wellington?
I was at the end of my contract and a manager I knew in Holland was in contact with an Australian manager who said they might have an offer from the Phoenix. I'd played with (Australian international) Archie Thompson in Belgium and he always told me it was a good league. But I didn't know anything about the Phoenix - I went on the internet to find out about the A-league and the city. I made a decision in a couple of days and I think I made a good choice. It was a big adventure for me. My wife and I love to see other countries.
Q: Do you have kids?
Two kids, aged 3 and 6. Nathalie stays home to look after them, which is important. She's made a lot of friends with the other players' wives ... it was a bit difficult in the beginning because the kids didn't speak any English.
Belgium is a rising soccer force, can they win this World Cup?I don't think so but a semifinal or quarter-final has to be possible.
Q: Career highlight?
I think of course it has to be the first time you wear the shirt of your national team.
Q: Your favourite player to watch is?
[Cristiano] Ronaldo. I love his way of football. He makes it look so easy.
Q: Childhood hero?
Ronaldo, the Brazilian striker at the time.
Q: If you weren't a professional soccer player ...
I started playing professional football when I was 16 and I've only ever focused on that.
Q: Hobbies?
In Belgium I played a lot of snooker. My neighbour took me along.
Q: How does the A-league compare to the Dutch and Belgian leagues?
I don't see a big difference. Maybe the A-league is a little more open and all the clubs try to play attacking football which can leave a lot of space. In Europe, teams concentrate more on defending, especially against top clubs, where they try to get a point. In the A-league, every team is going for the win.
Q: What is the major work-on for the Phoenix?
Sometimes we are too focused on playing the final pass when we need to be more relaxed on the ball.
Q: Your future ...
My contract ends this seasons when I will be 32. I hope to play a couple more years of professional football. We'll see what happens in the next few months - maybe I will stay here or have to go somewhere else. It is difficult when you are out of contract and waiting for solutions.
