Q - Please could you tell us a bit about your background?
A - I'm from a small town called Alyth, thirty minutes drive from Dundee in Scotland. I started out getting spotted by local clubs, Dundee, Dundee United and St Johnstone. When I was seventeen I signed as youth trainee and went on to play with Dundee until I was twenty four, then I moved across the road to Dundee United. I had two years there and three years at St Mirren before moving to Thailand.
Q - Who has been the biggest influence on your career?
A - My parents. They took me everywhere when I was younger. Also Kenny Cameron, Ray Farningham and Stevie Campbell, who were my youth coaches at Dundee. They had a great record of bring through young players into the first team and without their help I probably wouldn't have played at a good level.
Q - What has been the biggest game you've played in?
A - The games against Rangers and Celtic were great! And to beat them was always nice. When I was at St Mirren we beat Celtic 4-0. At Dundee United I played against Barcelona in a friendly. It was Thierry Henry’s debut. We lost 1-0 and he scored a penalty in the last minute! We scored a perfectly good goal that was disallowed!
Q - What honours have you won?
A – Unfortunately, I’ve never won any as a pro! But I do have a few runners up medals. I had only just signed for Thai Port when we won the Toyota Premier Cup this year so I can't count that, as I wasn't registered to play! Hopefully we can end this season with a win in Toyota League Cup final against PEA.
Q - Who are the best players you've played with and against outside Thailand?
A - The best player I've played against would either be Iniesta,Xavi or Henrik Larsson. Played with, I'd say either Georgi Nemzadze (ex Georgian captain) or Lee Wilkie (ex Scotland). Lee had to retire at thirty with a knee injury. He is now a FIFA agent and he helps me out if I need anything. His company Riverman is based in Bangkok.
Q - And in Thailand?
A - A few players have stood out in Thailand. In particular the national team players at Chonburi and Teerasil at Muang Thong.
Q - How did you end up at Thai Port?
A - I'd made contact with the then Thai Port coach Nathan Hall (now TTM Phichit) about a possible move. I wanted to move away from Scotland, just to experience something different. When my contract ended in Scotland, I came over for a few days then signed. I'm so glad I did. It has been an amazing experience.
Q - What did you know about Thai football and Thai Port before you made the move?
A - Nathan had told me a bit about what to expect. I also watched a few videos on the computer. I was aware that Thai Port had won something the previous two seasons so I knew I was coming to a well supported and successful club.
Q - What are the biggest differences between Thai Port and your previous clubs?
A - There is a bit of difference in training. In Scotland we do lots more small sided games. It is a lot more intense for a shorter time! Here in Thailand we focus on tactical 11v11 games more and play a lot more friendly matches. I'm not a lover of friendly games. Sometimes rest is more beneficial than being out on the training pitch.
Q - What changes have you had to make to your natural game to adapt to the Thai style of play & refereeing?
A - With the heat it’s obviously a bit different. In Scotland, I played a fair bit as a left back but I've only played midfield here. There is more space to play in Thailand. Players don't press the same as they do in Scotland! You are also not allowed to tackle here haha!! I’ve never been known for my tackling until I came here!
Q - Please can you give us a brief description of a typical day in the life of Steven Robb?
A - A morning session will be an 8:00am start. I'm up at 6:45am and get a taxi to training! I give the rice at 10:00am a miss! I just stick to the cereal. Afterwards, I go home to chill out for a bit with the family, usually at the swimming pool. The afternoon session starts at 4:00pm. Then its home for dinner with the family. Sometimes we eat in or will go out for food.
Q - What is your match day routine for a home game?
A - I like to have a long lie on a match day but usually get woken up by my son, Owen, jumping about! We report for pre match lunch at the club about 11:00am-12:00pm and then have a video session for 45 minutes before meeting at 2:00pm in the dressing room for 4:00pm kick offs at Thai Port. After the game we usually go to the Robin Hood pub to watch the English or Scottish football on TV.
Q - Which has been your favourite away trip this season and why?
A - I really enjoyed the trip to Sisaket last weekend! We stayed in a nice hotel and it was really chilled out leading up to the game. We travelled to the game on the sleeper train, which I wasn't looking forward to but was really good, as you get a bed and can sleep all night. Better than the bus anyway!
Q - Do you get much opportunity to go sight-seeing on away trips?
A – We’ve not really done much sight-seeing on away trips. The Thai lads like to do a bit of shopping so if we have any spare time we usually go to the markets.
Q - How have the off field problems at Thai Port this year affected the players?
A - I think the off field problems have affected different players in different ways. It’s not ideal not getting salary on time, especially if a foreign player is in a foreign country and has family to provide for. I'm a professional and try to concentrate on my job and once I go on the pitch try to do my best. I just hope everything gets sorted out as soon as possible because the fans we have deserve it. I believe the club has so much potential.
Q - What has been the highlight of your time at Thai Port?
A - The highlight has probably been reaching the Toyota League Cup final. It’s just a shame we went on a poor run in the league at the start of the second leg. We’ve picked up again lately but losing four good players at end of the first leg didn't help us.
Q - Do you have much contact with the other British players who play in Thailand?
A - Yes! We are all good friends. We've had a few nights out together. I do miss the banter in the dressing room back home so it’s good to have some British lads here. Michael Byrne must like my company that much that he has moved into the same condo as me! His family and my family are pretty close so we socialise a far bit when he’s home from Chianat. Stuart Kelly at Khon Kaen is coming to Bangkok at Christmas so we have arranged to meet up for Christmas Dinner! I need some more Scottish lads to back me up!
Q – Are there any funny stories you can tell us from behind the scenes at Thai Port?
A - The manager at Thai Port, Thongchai, is very good at practical jokes when it’s someone’s birthday. Mario de Silva’s face was a picture when he was told, in front of the team, that he had to throw a game by losing a few goals or giving away a penalty and if he didn’t do it, he would be fined! I thought he was going to explode! He only realized it was a joke when everyone started singing Happy Birthday. Very funny!
Q - Which team has impressed you the most this season and why?
A – I’ve been impressed with a few teams. I still think that on their day anyone can beat anyone but PEA have been very consistent so it’s no surprise they’re top of the league.
Q - What are your impressions of Chonburi FC as a club?
A – It’s been such a long time since we played Chonburi, it was only 2nd game of the season. We missed plenty of chances that day and gave away two soft goals! However, the set up looks very professional there and the fans were great! There seems to be a good bond between Thai Port and Chonburi.
Q - Which Chonburi players have impressed you and why?
A - Playing against and watching Thailand a bit, I've been impressed with Suree. He likes to get forward a lot and it'll be a hard shift for me on Wednesday if I'm playing left midfield. Also, Ney Fabiano looks a good striker. He knows where the goal is, which is very important.
Q - What are your hobbies away from football?
A - When we get days off, I like to keep busy spending time with my wife Jacklyn and son Owen. We like to go shopping, MBK etc. I'm also addicted to social network: Facebook, Twitter etc. It’s a good way to keep in touch with all my friends back home.
Q - What is your favourite book, TV and music?
A - I don't really read books. I like to watch TV series: Entourage, Californication, Inbetweeners are three I really recommend. My wife is a book worm. She’s into Twilight right now.
I do like my music. A bit of everything really. However, my favourites are The View. The best band about. And they’re from Dundee.
Q - What is your favourite Thai dish?
A - My favourite Thai dish is krapow gai. I absolutely love it! The Thai boys give me a bit of stick for eating it with a knife and fork though!!
Q - What do you miss most about Scotland?
A - I miss my family and friends more than anything. Skype is very good so it’s easy to see and talk to them! I'm really settled here and enjoying the football so I’m in no rush to move back home!
Q – And finally, a couple of questions I’ve been dying to ask: Does the "Huddle" annoy you as a player as much as it annoys me as a fan?
A - The huddle is not something that bothers me. It’s a Thai tradition that every team does. I can't say I ever done it when playing in Scotland.
Q - What is actually said in the "Huddle".
A - There are about six different languages being spoken at once! Ha! All meaning the same thing: let's win, three points! Simple.
Q – Thanks, Steven.
A – You’re welcome.
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