All Whites and Wellington Phoenix winger Leo Bertos insists
he is not feeling any effects of a World Cup hangover and is
determined to prove just that against Sydney FC in their
A-League soccer match here on Saturday night.
Bertos paid the price for a quiet start to the season when he
was dropped in favour of Daniel for last Sunday's 1-2 loss to
Perth Glory in Perth.
Some pundits have questioned whether his dip in form - and
that of midfielder Tim Brown, who was substituted at halftime
on Sunday - is related to coming off the emotional highs of a
World Cup campaign in South Africa where New Zealand earned
three unlikely draws and galvanised the nation.
But Bertos, sporting a blue Mohawk hairstyle in support of
prostate cancer awareness, today said that theory was well
off the mark.
"People can say what they want to say but I know, for me,
that's not the case," he said.
"I had enough rest when I got back and I've been buzzing from
the first training session.
"I guess when results don't go our way people start to look
for things, but I'm feeling good. Hopefully I start this
weekend and get out there and show what I can do."
Bertos, who has lacked his usual attacking spark, said
Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert had offered him reasons for his
demotion to the bench following a flat showing in the 0-1
loss to Brisbane 12 days ago and he had accepted them.
"I guess the performance against Brisbane wasn't where we
wanted it to be and it shows the depth we've got in the
squad. That's a good thing.
"If you don't play as well as you should someone will take
your place.
"It's definitely woken me up and it's made me get my stuff
together."
Daniel took a rare chance on Sunday and was one of the few
players to impress with his ability on the ball and
distribution skills before he was substituted by Bertos in
the 67th minute.
Herbert, who has occasionally given Bertos a week off to
"freshen up" in previous seasons, said the speedy winger was
in the frame for a return against Sydney.
"At times he slips into these things (form slumps) but I
think he'll be fine on Saturday. If he is selected, I think
you will see the true Leo back."
Herbert also went into bat for Brown, saying he was confident
the All Whites vice-captain, who didn't play a match at the
World Cup because of a shoulder injury, would quickly return
to form.
"He's a quality player, a great player for the club and he
scored eight goals for us last season," Herbert said.
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