Walsall MAD interviews Rob Steiner

1) You arrived in England with Bradford City, was leaving Sweden an easy decision to make?

Leaving Sweden was harder than i thought, but only the first couple of months. I missed my friends and it took me a few months to get settled, then I realised how good and nice your country is and I really started to like it. Some times I feel more English then Swedish!

2) You were signed by the very colorful character that is Chris Kamara. He's ever so funny to watch on the television, but what was he like to play for and have you got any classic stories about him?

Chris Kamara is a great person very honest and very funny. I still think he would make a great coach. For the stories think you should ask him, it would make great entertainment.

3) After scoring 5 goals in 8 games at Bradford the press strongly linked you with moves to Southampton and Leece, were there any truth in the rumors and were you tempted by them?

My agent told me about them and i think Lecce was the closest one. They only wanted to see me for another game (Charlton away) and suddenly I got my only muscular injury in my playing career barring the one I had at QPR. Overall I had very few Muscle injuries.

4) Paul Jewell replaced Chris Kamara, he's a respected manager from his time at Bradford and later Wigan but what was he really like to play for?

I can not say so much about Paul Jewell. He didn't like me as a player and it's hard for me to say some positive words about him. He never gave me the opportunity. But since we have all seen him perform such a great job with Bradford and Wigan I can not say he did anything wrong.

We all have different opinions about everything, but I thought Bradford and Paul Jewell could be more fair, and show some better attitude in how you behave against another person.

5) You joined Walsall on loan in what was a truly amazing season. We were tipped for relegation at the start of the 1998/1999 season. Did you have any more offers in when you joined us?

I had around 8 or 9 other offers, 3 from Scotland and 3 or 4 from teams in the same relegation zone as QPR and another 2 from Walsall's division. I didn't want to go to Scotland and i didn't like to play for a team that could get QPR relegated so I went to Walsall. You should thank your Chairman for that.

6) What do you think were the main reasons that Walsall team were so successful?

Team spirit and Ray Graydon

7) Who were the 'characters' in the Walsall dressing room?

You had a few, I can't remember them all but Wrack and Roper where are still there today. Jimmy Walker was good and I felt really welcome. It was a great mix of good characters.

8) What was it like to play under Ray Graydon?

Ray Graydon was straight and honest, and I never felt I had any doubt from him relying on me as player

9) After clinching promotion after the fantastic victory over Oldham, how did the team celebrate?

We had a few bottles of Champagne and then went to bed........? More like a few to many....!

10) Were there ever any chances to join us permanently? Do you look back at your time at Bescot with good memories? To finish above Man City, What an achievement!

We had some discussions during the summer but my aim was QPR, I had my best friend in London and that suited me well. I really enjoyed my time in Walsall and you never know, some day I may be back again. Not as a player I hope! You have a great crowd, a good stadium and a clever Chairman.

11) You joined QPR, was it a happy move before injury?

I loved to sign for QPR, that was my main goal and after a few other clubs were ready to offer me a better contract, I had some problems to justify my own discussion. But money isn't everything.

12) Did the seriousness of the injury come as a shock?

My injury will always be my nightmare and the toughest time in my life. I played football for the love to the game, not to make money.

13) You've now rejoined IF Sylvia who you played for as a youngster. Was coaching something you always planned to go into?

Management is something I'd never thought seriously about. Me and my wife had traveled a lot and suddenly an old friend phoned me up. We had a chat about IF Sylvia and their junior team, and then deal was done. You always ask yourself if this is the right thing to work with and for me this is it.
We are now 3rd in Sweden indoors and top 10 outdoors. The only problem is that IF Sylvia is a very small club, we have no funding and the resources are less then none. To make the story short, this is my last year as a junior coach and my next step is to go higher up in a senior team.

14) How does the style of play differ between English and Swedish football?

Tougher and quicker, you need to be more organised and clever.

15) Many Swedish players adapt well to English football, did you find it easy to make the transition?

That's our opinion but I still think some Swedish players should choose another country to play in than England. If your not there for the team and ready to take game as it is, it's hard. If not, don't go to England.
You need to be strong minded and physical strong. I think I was both of these, but you also need to be.

16) Talking of Swedes, How do you think Sven Goran Eriksson will perform at Manchester City?

He will do alright, I think he will structure the team and make them understand football. Everything you do on the pitch will make an impact if the other players follow the move, you need sometime to work more as a team and not for a single player.

17) How did it feel to represent your country, so early on in your career?

It's one of my football highlights is and likewise it will be for all football players when you represent your country. It doesn't matter if it is when you are 15 or 35 years of age.

18) Do you still check in on Walsall's fortunes? What sort of season do you think we'll have this season back in League One?

I still keep myself updated on teamtalk and of course I have checked out your site a few times. I haven't enough info to say how your season will progress. I know that you signed a few foreign players and hopefully the can adapted quick

I would like to thank Rob for his efforts and time. We wish him all the best with his season at IF Sylvia.