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POLSKA REPREZENTACJA PILKARSKA
Below is a translation of an interview conducted in Polish with striker Marek Saganowski.
'I owe Rasiak huge good beer'
09-03-07
Interviewer: You feel good in Southampon, you scored here first goals since last season. Is it climate, new shoes?
Saganowski: New coach (laughs). Burley believes in me, gives me chances, encourages me. He is not against me, which can't be said about my former coach in Troyes, Jean-Marcu Furlanie. I'm very glad that I moved to Great Britain. I was dreaming about English league and I'm not disappointed. In Troyes training base wasn't even half as good as in Southampton. But I'm worried that this fairy tale will end in the summer and I will have to go back.
Interviewer: So it was so bad there?
Saganowski: Imagine that after one month there they said to me that I am not needed. Officially I played six games in France but in fact it was no more than 80 minutes.
Interviewer: I heard that you are in Southampton because Rasiak recommended you?
Saganowski: I owe him huge good beer. Yes he recommended me. But Burley knew me before too because he wanted me when he was coaching Hearts.
Interviewer: There was a time when Rasiak sat on the bench and you played...
Saganowski: Yes but it's healthy, sporting rivalry. Even if we argue at training we are professionals and know that it has to be rivalry sometimes. You always want to be the best in training even better than your compatriot. It's our job. But we shake our hands when the footballers duty is done.
Interviewer: Aren't Englishmen a little annoyed that Polish population in Southampton is growing and growing?
Saganowski: They better not even try! (laugh). But seriously in the team there aren't any groups, there are no 'ours' and 'foreign'. We train in quiet place and we feel like a family. Besides this Poles are respected in England, Tony Blair recently said that Poles are treasure of this country. I'm dreaming that Burley will say this about me one day.
An earlier interview with Saganowski.
'If I play there will be goals'
27-02-07
Interviewer: 'If I play there will be goals' - this is what you said before the transfer, and it became the truth.
Saganowski: I was very confident because I believe in me and my skills. I didn't feel worse than strikers who I watched sitting on the bench in Troyes. I only needed a bit of trust and a time.
Interviewer: But there is not Polish front in Saints. You have put Rasiak on the bench! Another playing striker is Kenwyne Jones...
Saganowski: Indeed Rasiak was sitting on the bench a little recently but no coach will bench permamently top scorer in the league, who scored 20 goals. It was strange situation. I hope that we will play together some time soon.
Interviewer: Did manager Burley promise you first team place?
Saganowski: We were talking a lot before the transfer but he did not promise me anything. He said only that he needs player like me. I'm very glad that I'm here now. I did not expect first team place and I got it. In France I expected it and had to sit on the bench. I feel respected in England now.
Interviewer: You had offer from Bundesliga too. Not interested?
Saganowski: I didn't talk about this with my manager. Anyway I don't want to think about it now. All I want is to stay with Saints and sign contract in the summer. It's my aim and I'm interested only in making my dream true.
Interviewer: If you score goals till end of the season can there be any problem with buying you out in the summer?
Saganowski: Fortunately not, in the summer I can go because I have such a clause in my contract. But new team would have to pay 1,2 - 1,5 euros...
Interviewer: Do you like English football?
Saganowski: Yes. Since I remember playing in England was my big dream but the league is not easy. Everything depends on physical strength, you have to fight in the air as well. But I feel really good playing this style. I hope that we can go up and we will play in the best league in the world - Premiership. There is amazing attitude towards football in England too - absolutely fantastic.
Interviewer: Was moving to England difficult?
Saganowski: Everything was planned. In one week I moved with my family here. The club helped me and it was very professional. I got house and car straight away. New home is beautiful.
Interviewer: You owe a lot to Rasiak?
Saganowski: He and Bartek Białkowski helped me a lot and I'm very grateful to them. I think Rasiak's influence helped my transfer. In the team everything is ok. There is no unkindness.
Interviewer: Do supporters sing your name already?
Saganowski: I'm completely concentrated on the game when I'm playing so I didn't listen what they are singing yet. But it will come with time...
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