Roy Makaay: Criticism is alright!

Roy Makaay forgets the orange but goes for the yellow jersey…

Roy Makaay enters the lobby of the presidential Hotel Praia del Rey in Portugal, after have had two intensive training sessions with Feyenoord, on the Portuguese coast.

Last week, Mario Been shocked the media a bit with heavily criticizing Roy Makaay’s performance in a friendly warm up game: “Roy doesn’t bring enough. Simple. He’s hiding, he’s walking around… I like his attitude and I believe in his skills, but the time has changed. Last season, we didn’t have an alternative, now I do. When Roy doesn’t work for the team, when he doesn’t offer himself and make himself available and show some sweat, he’s out!”.

A day later, Been was questioned about this. The new Feyenoord coach: “Listen, I talked to Roy about it. This is what I want to see. He listened, said he understood what I said and promised to work at it. We shook hands, and that’s it. Discussion closed. More questions?”

Roy, coach Been was highly critical of you last week. Do you feel you need to prove yourself all over again?

Makaay: “Not more than any one else, no. In the warm up, every player needs to earn his spot. That applies to Leerdam but also to me. I understand that. The coach does want me to change my game a bit. Last season, I tended to drift a lot to help out midfield or to pick up the ball if the build up was too slow. Been doesn’t want me to do that. He wants me to focus my energy 100% on the moments when the midfielders put their head up to look to the front. He wants me to be sharp, available and ready to go at any time. That’s actually the way I used to play my football and I need to go back to my strengths.”

Been wanted to spice you up, a bit. Did he?

“I don’t mind criticism. Never have. We had a good, decent and constructive talk about it. He was totally unhappy with me against VVV and he was right. It’s simple. I did play a horrible game.”

But he criticized you in public, something coaches do give a signal to the whole group.

“Listen, I know how it works, I’ve been around the block. I like our coach being critical. I’ve worked with coaches who always supported the big names in the team and criticized the youngsters. Been treats everyone the same. He’s open and honest, for as far as I can tell. He’s the coach, I’m one of the players. It’s as simple as that.”

But can Been still change you, as a player?

“He doesn’t want to change me. He knows what my qualities are, and so do I. That’s exactly why he wants me sharp in the box. I can act as a connection man between midfield and offense, Bert van Marwijk used me more in that way. If Been wants me to focus on scoring goals, I simply execute his wishes and play a different game. Not hard at all.”

At Feyenoord, everyone talks about “revenge”. Do you see it that way?

“Obviously, we all want to do better this season. When you look at the quality we have, we should. This Saturday we play Sporting Lisbon. A great test to see where we stand. The vibe is good. I’m confident. When we’re able to start well, I think we can go a long way.”

“The funny thing is, we actually train harder than last season under Verbeek. It’s almost German, the way we prepare. Lots of running, sometimes excercises with the ball. And it’s good, it works. Everyone is fit as! No one complaints, the vibe is great. You don’t have to be an insider or expert to see the difference with last season. We radiate something this time around.”

Oranje’s striker Huntelaar might not get too much playing time this season. Ever think of a return to Oranje?

Makaay: “Nah… I don’t think it will happen. Apparently, Makaay & Oranje isn’t a match made in heaven, although Bert van Marwijk knows what I can bring to the table. You never know… I do feel Huntelaar will impress this season, wherever he plays. Some good club will want him for sure. And Van Marwijk has lots of other options. But, when I do really well and some other players have some bad luck and the team manager thinks I can add value, I will seriously consider it. Sure…”