Thank you Derry much — Open All R’s Podcast
Fresh from signing his new contract extension, Shaun Derry returns to the podcast to discuss, among other things, the win at Chelsea, the difference between Redknapp and Hughes and his reaction to the differing effort levels of members of the playing squad this season.
Derry was completely out of the picture at Rangers when he last appeared and tells the lads he would almost certainly have left the club this January had Mark Hughes been the manager. Under Redknapp though he has become a key part of the midfield since the humbling at home by Liverpool.
Asked the difference between the two managers Derry said: “Mark was a guy who spent a lot of his time on the training field, he had a huge input into everything. Harry is a different character. In terms of people, they’re so far away from each other – Harry’s a guy you can have a conversation with away from the realms of the football side of things, he takes an interest in what you are as a person. It’s nice to strike a relationship on a level away from football as well.
“It’s not for me to sit here and slate because obviously he didn’t pick me and players get the hump with that. I don’t want to slate Mark Hughes because he was a nice guy, but very different to what Harry is. What’s needed for QPR right now is a Harry Redknapp type of character. He very quickly grounds people, makes them aware of what’s required of them when they go out onto that field.”
Derry was later asked about the lack of effort certain members of the squad appear to have made in the early parts of this season and how he felt about it.
alt="" width="590" /> Pulling no punches as usual, Derry said: “What you have to understand is I arrived as a Championship signing, and I still see myself as the same person regardless of the league I’m playing in. When you come from that level, and lower, I appreciate what the game is about. I’ll never point fingers or go public with criticism of individuals, but when you play down there you really do appreciate what you’ve got at Premier League level. When you see characters not appreciating what the game is all about it really hurts when you’ve strived to throughout a career to achieve what I’ve achieved. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, to play at this level, and I’ll never ever take it for granted. When you see players take it for granted it really does hurt.
“Hand on heart I don’t resent anybody at the club for what they earn. There are guys there on absolute bucket loads, more than I could ever dream of earning, and honestly I don’t resent them for earning that. What I do get upset about is if they don’t work hard. You’ve got to work hard for your money whether you earn £10 a week or £100,000 a week. Work hard, put the effort in.”
It’s a fascinating interview as ever with Shaun and well worth a listen. To listen to or download the podcast please click here.
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Pictures – Action Images
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