IN THE HOTSEAT - MARK VIDUKA

In our first Q and A session of the new season, Socceroos' skipper Mark Viduka answers questions sent in from around the world about his career, his future plans and what playing for Boro means to him. 

I grew up watching Frankston City in the Victorian state league back in the 1970s. I was curious as to whether your father played for any clubs back then. I was thinking he may have played for Keilor Austria seeing as you grew up in that part of the world.
Steve, Frankston, Australia

MV: My father didn't really play much football, I think he played a few games for a team called St Albans but that's all.

How significant do you think the departures of Queudrue and Hasselbaink were?
Rich, Plymouth

MV: Well Rich, I'll tell you one thing, they were both very good players for this club, especially Jimmy. He was a very big personality, which was good for the dressing room. But the players we've signed are excellent. There's already a big difference in the quality of training, having quality defenders like Woodgate, Huth and Julio Arca plus Jason Euell as well. I think the players are good.

Who is the toughest opponent that you have every played against?
Graydon Monk, Chadderton, Lancs

MV: I think probably Italy's Cannavaro at the World Cup, and also Ayala of Argentina.

What do you prefer to do travelling to away games?
Andy Moody

MV: I love boats so I read boat magazines, and just relax, talk on the phone or maybe watch a bit of TV.

Who was your favourite player when you were young? Who is the best player you've played with and against? Is there any other of the Boro youngsters who you think will go on and play internationally?
Rob, Darlington

MV: I think Diego Maradona was my favourite when I was young and I like Marco van Basten. I've played with a few very good players, there was a player called Robert Prosinecki (above) when I was in Zagreb who was very skilful. Harry Kewell would have to be in there as well.

G'day Mark, I'm an Aussie Middlesbrough supporter from Adelaide. Just wanted to thank you for your efforts at the World Cup, it meant a lot to me and my mates. Will Boro get back into Europe this year? Cheers mate and good luck for the year.
Duncan Stevenson

MV: Thanks Duncan! I don't know. We could have a good run this season. I think we needed to strengthen in defence, which we have, so anything is possible.

Which of Boro's young players do you rate the highest?
Pete

MV: They're good players, it's difficult to tell if they will play international football or not but the more experience players like Lee Cattermole, James Morrison and Jonno get the better. Anything could happen but there's a good bunch and they should do all right.

Mark, off the pitch you come across as quite introverted, making it quite difficult for the fans to gauge how you truly feel about the club and the supporters. Tell us, how close to your heart is Middlesbrough FC and its fans? 
Thom Menzies, Darlington

MV: I enjoy being here, I enjoy coming to work every day and being part of the club. I think Middlesbrough as a club has a friendly atmosphere because it's not as big as some I've played for, like Celtic, but I love it. I was very proud to be part of the team last year when we made it to the UEFA Cup final.

Are you aware of the striking similarity between yourself and the film critic Mark Kermode (above)?
Thom Menzies, Darlington

MV: Tell him I'm not having that! He looks like some 60s bloke with that hair!

Do you think that the 2-1 win over Chelsea will lift the team morale and make everyone more determined as a team to finish in top ten this season?
Sean, Priestfields

MV: Yes, I think it gave us a lot of confidence - even though the next game we lost 4-0! But against a team that hadn't been beaten for such a long time and were champions, it was a great result.

How was it to have Juninho playing with you?
Ibrar Mohammed

MV: I only played with him for one pre-season but he was a nice guy and a good player, although I didn't spend too much time playing with him.

Will you score 20 goals for me this season?
Joe Wing, Redcar

MV: I'd love to!

How did you feel when Gareth Southgate was made manager?
Robert Thorpe, Pickering

MV: It was a surprise, nobody expected it to be him, but hopefully it will turn out to be a very good decision.

Having had good times with Leeds in the Champions League would the dramatic times with Boro in the UEFA Cup be on the same scale?
Mark, Boro

MV: Yes, definitely. They were definitely some of the most exciting games of my career.

Being part of a big squad obviously means that at times players are left out, either for a recharge of batteries or just to keep you on your toes. Do you think it makes the player try that much harder when they get selected?
Stephen Smith

MV: Yes, I think it can be a good thing sometimes because it makes you fight for your place.

Dukes, I was just wondering if your going to miss playing alongside Jimmy this season, as you've played with him so many times and been at two clubs with him?
Phil Trim

MV: I wasn't with him at Leeds, he left the year before I came. But I'm going to miss Jimmy because I enjoyed playing up front with him. I was very sad to hear he'd left the club.

How long do you want to carry on playing football until you go into retirement?
Thomas Greenfield

MV: To be honest I don't know, as long as I feel I'm up to it. You can't really put a time limit on it, it just depends how you feel.

You are my favourite player at Boro, pure class. Now that's been established I'll ask the question. Did you have a role model when you were starting out as a player?
Alan Maloney, North Stand season ticket holder

MV: Yes, Maradona and van Basten.

Do you think one day you will return to play in the Australian A-League? And if so, when?
Christopher Lines

MV: I don't know and I don't know! Maybe, I really don't know.

How much do you think the crowd's enthusiasm, support and courage throughout the game will effect the results and final position in the league?
Michael Oakes, Sedgefield

MV: It definitely makes a big, big, big difference. The crowd can intimidate the other team, that's what home advantage is all about. But you lose confidence as a team if you hear moaning in the stands. The atmosphere does make a big difference.

I was just wondering if you know how much the Socceroos have gone off in Australia and how proud we are of what you did for us.
Ruth, Sydney, Australia

MV: Yes, I'm very well aware of how everybody has taken to the Socceroos Down Under and I'm personally very happy so see that many people getting behind us and I'd like to thank everybody for keeping with us.

G'day Viduks, firstly you are an absolute champion and I thought your performance in the World Cup was equally if not more important than any other player. Since your move to Boro from Leeds, do you think your commitment to the your game has strengthened?  How do you compare your experiences at Leeds to Boro and when are you coming to play for Melbourne Victory so we can watch in awe of you regularly?
Aaron Murnane, Melbourne

MV: This is one of my boys from Melbourne. Yes, I've changed. I think every day you learn things in football. You never stay in one place. I've learned a lot of things about myself as a player in my time at Boro and every day I just want to improve. I still don't know when I'll be coming back though!

Go you good thing! Sorry, but my views my be very partisan as I'm an Australian and Mark is, without a shadow of doubt, one of this country's greatest exports and I just hope he gets the silverware he deserves before his career ends. How do you rate Boro's chances this season? And what personal goals have you set yourself for this season both domestically and internationally? Keep up the good work Mark - I thought you handled the captaincy role for Australia just brilliantly - a true gentleman and ambassador for the sport.
Simeon Sharo

MV: Thanks Simeon. I think now that we've got some more defenders our chances are much better. As for the goals I've set myself personally, to be honest I just want to enjoy every single day and every single moment that I play football. You have had some memorable matches in your career so far, my question is does the Basel or Bucharest games rival or even better your great and best match against Liverpool 4-3 when you got all four goals?
Nick Hill

MV: It's a difficult one because the games against Basel and Bucharest were more of a team effort. It was a different sort of feeling but they're up there as some of the best games in my career for sure.

Do you think the team needs another forward?
Mike

MV: No!