Interview with Paul Fenech

by Ayrton Galea - 15th September 2011

After talking with several new faces that joined our Club as players or technical staff members, this time we decided to talk with the international midfielder, and new Team Captain, Paul Fenech.

Tell us about your typical day.

On Monday and Tuesday I wake up at 8:30 and at around 9:15. I leave home for training with the National Team and at around 12:15 I have lunch at home or somewhere else. Then I have a rest while watching TV or most probably playing on my Play Station online, with some of the national team mates till 16:00. Then I'll prepare for the evening training session again with the National Team at 18:00 till 19:30. After I go to my girlfriend's house, watch a DVD or relax somewhere over a coffee. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday instead of evening session with the National Team, it will be with Birkirkara FC.

Who were your football heroes when you were growing up? And who are your football heroes now?

My old football heroes were Zidane and Ronaldo (Brazilian) and my present heroes are Javier Zanetti, Xavi and Iniesta. .

Who is your favourite midfielder?

Xavi - always in a good position and always focusing on a good pass.

Do you agree that the role of a midfielder is the most difficult one as in many occasions the game is won or lost in the midfield?

Yes and no. Yes because you have to help in the defence and while the ball is travelling forward you have to help the strikers to make an option for them so you need to have a good stamina and you need to use your mind to pace the full 90min game plus injury time. No, because in every part of the pitch you can lose and win the game. If the midfield is not in a good form with only one pass the striker can make or create a goal and the defenders make such an important work to keep the ball out of the red zone. So the defenders can win and lose games as well as the midfielders and the strikers.

If you had to change your position, which position would you choose?

I think I would choose attacking midfielder, but I have to learn to play that position more. But that is the position I like most.

Have you totally recovered from your injury?

Now I'm feeling 100% recovered and 100% fit for next game.

How difficult was it to recover and regain your fitness in a short time?

You have to be patient. Some players do a very short recovery period because they think that they are feeling good. Afterwards they will be very sorry because they feel the pain again and then they will have to stop again. It was my first long time injury in my career in football. In the first week I was feeling very down and I tried to hurry up the rehabilitation. But I learned from the mistakes of others, and it is better if you make a long rehabilitation process and miss two games and you'll be 100% fit, instead of playing one game and after you stay out for another four or five games.

What does it mean for you to be part of the National Squad? In your opinion what attributes should a player have to be called up with the National Squad?

It's an honour to be part of the National Squad. When we were young everyone who loved the game said that one day I wish to play for my country. When that time comes you feel very happy that all the sacrifice that you are doing results in something so positive and you feel that you are ready to help your country. For a player to be called up with the National Squad he must be ready to make sacrifices in training sessions and always ready to learn and improve his game.

What are your comments about the transfer market that has closed just a few days ago?

I think in Malta there was only one surprise in the transfer market - Failla joining Hibernians. It was a surprise and it has already showed positive results. The transfer market around the world was full of surprises especially in England.

Which was the best signing for our Club?

Gareth Sciberras, for sure.

Why did you renew your contract with Birkirkara?

I am very happy with this Club. Always with a winning mentality.

As a player that trained almost every day with our former captain Michael Galea, how difficult was it to see Michael stop playing for Birkirkara?

After last game of the last season Michael said goodbye to us and said to me good luck now the team is in your hands. That was the time when I felt very down and saw that he is not going to change his mind. It is very difficult to see a perfect player like Michael stopping after all those historic years playing for Birkirkara. On behalf of all Birkirkara administration, coaches and players we wish him good luck in football and a big good luck in his personal life.

What was your reaction when you were appointed as the new captain?

Last season when Michael was missing or was substituted I was handed the band so I was ready and honoured to be a captain of a big club.

Will this new role change you in some way?

Yes, I am going to try motivate more the players in training sessions and most importantly before the games; to be more disciplined and try not to collect yellow cards for silly reasons; and to be an example for the youngsters.

Several players have rituals or habits before matches. Do you have any? If yes, which are they?

No I don't have any, but I try to concentrate and think on the game all day.

What are your comments about our last match against Hibernians?

There's a lot to say about the game against Hibernians. We were not concentrated and we had no ideas with the ball but it's a must that in the next game, against Mqabba, we will show that the game against Hibernians was a rare performance.

What are you expecting in the next match?

A win and a good performance is a must.

What are the squad's targets?

To reach high and challenge for honours.

What are your personal targets for this season?

Consistent wins and performance so that we cans win honours.

What are your future plans?

It's a short life as a footballer, so to stay with a big Club and win honours as much as possible because you will carry them with you forever.

Do you have a message for the supporters?

As always, keep supporting us in good and bad times like you do. Let's face reality, it is very difficult to keep on supporting while things are going bad, we all know that. But everyone in life was in need of help from someone else and that's the time when we need you most to keep us motivated and make us believe that we can pass from the bad moments. God Bless.

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