In this week’s edition of Jets Insider, Joey Gibbs is answering questions submitted by the Club’s Members and supporters.
In this week-s edition of Jets Insider, Joey Gibbs is answering questions submitted by the Club-s Members and supporters.
Gibbs speaks about his expectations for the 2013/14 A-League season, learning from the likes of Emile Heskey and Michael Bridges, and what it was like making his A-League debut in the 2009/10 Grand Final.
Adam Mitchell asks via email: What role are you expecting to play for the club in the 2013/2014 season? Do you expect to start?
Joey Gibbs (JG): There are obviously some great players in my position with Heskey, Bridges and Taggart, who is a great young player too.
We-ll have to wait and see, but I-m confident I can play a role for the team this season, whether it-s coming off the bench or starting the game. It all depends on the situation of who we-re playing and if my strengths will counteract the weaknesses of the opponent.
Sally Joseph asks via email: What was it like making your A-League debut in a Grand Final? When did you find out you were playing and how did you feel in the lead-up?
JG: It was a crazy experience when I look back at it now. I only found out I was in the squad to travel in the middle of that week, obviously because we had a few boys injured and that-s why I got drafted in.
I thought I was going to be 16th man, but as it turns out I was picked on the bench. Alex Brosque started cramping-up, so I came on as a substitute in the 116th minute and we went on to win in a penalty shoot-out. It-s definitely an experience I-ll never forget.
Harry Smith asks via email: How good was it for you as someone new to the Club to get to play in Singapore with the rest of the boys?
JG: It was a very good experience. Coming straight into a new team, it was good opportunity to get to everyone, not just on a football level, but a personal level as well.
Adam Mitchell asks via email: You obviously played well last season to start matches with a team like Western Sydney Wanderers and thankyou for signing with us this year. Have you found any close friends since coming to the Jets, people that have welcomed you and you are hanging around with?
JG: They-re all a good bunch of lads and have made me feel very welcome, especially the guys who I went on the Singapore trip with.
Tom Dominguez asks via email: Do you support an overseas football team? If so, who and why?
JG: I support Liverpool. Obviously their form hasn-t been great over the past few seasons, but the thing I love about them is the fan base and the passion they have for their Club. The atmosphere at Anfield on game day is always pretty special.
Jess Walsh asks via email: If you weren-t playing football for a living, what would you be doing?
JG: I think I-d be a personal trainer actually. I-m currently studying for my Ceritficate IV in Fitness because I feel that doing something outside of football helps your football as well. I-m really interested in fitness, so I-d like to do something along those lines.
Mark Poulter asks via email: Are you excited to learn off the likes of Emile Heskey and Michael Bridges, guys who-ve played your position at the top level?
JG: They-ve played at the top level, in arguably the best league in the world, so I-m really looking forward to learning as much as I can from them. Bridgey has been giving me tips in training everyday already and I can-t wait for Emile to arrive as well.
Juan Aguilar asks via email: What was it like being part of Western Sydney-s first season last year?
JG: The whole season turned out to be a pretty amazing experience when you think about it. Even a lot of the older boys there hadn-t experienced a season like that before, so it definitely a great thing to be part of.
Kevin Sharpe asks via email: How did you first get into football?
JG: My older brothers played it and that-s how I got into it originally. From there I followed my brother into rep football. He had to give the game away due to a knee injury, but I kept on going to where I am now.
I think playing against my older brothers when I was younger made me a better player because they were always there to challenge me and push me along.
Nev Walker asks via email: What do you like to do in you-re spare time when you-re not training or playing?
JG: As I said, I-m studying for my Certificate IV in Fitness, so that takes up a bit of my time. I play a bit of FIFA to relax and I actually don-t mind cooking as well. I guess that comes from trying to eat well and stay healthy.
Mitch Thomas asks via email: Do you have any pre-game superstitions?
JG: I always listen to music on game day, not any particular songs, but I-m always listening to something. Other than that, I just try to stay relaxed and slowly become more focused before kick-off, that-s my usual routine.
Thank you for all your Jets Insider questions!
