You missed the Asian Cup, citing you were “not physically fit enough” – considering how close we came to winning do you regret that decision? Could you have made it fitness-wise?
I could have been there, but from a physical point of view it would have been the wrong decision. I may have regretted the decision to go later in the season or even now if I was not as fit as I find myself. I think I made the right decision. There was obviously still part of me that wished I could have been there; especially for the final as you look on thinking you could have made a difference. In the long run though, the break I had has really paid off in terms of the condition of my body now.

With 15 goals in 27 Socceroo appearances you are sitting ahead of that ‘goal every other game’ ratio that strikers target – how secure do you feel in the Socceroos set-up and first 11 these days?
We have a whole squad now which allows the boss to pick the right team to win the next game. He does not need to play people for the sake of a name or just needing to play them. I need to show that I still want that starting position, so I am always trying to impress the coach as much as I can. The decision is his though and if I play, then I try to do my job.

There are plenty of emerging potential Socceroos strikers, like Robbie Kruse, James Troisi, Mathew Leckie, Alex Brosque, Nikita Rukavytsya – is that a threat for you?
I do not see that as a threat – the process we go through now to qualify for the World Cup is a long one, so we need a range of strikers to play those games. It does not help anyone if one or two of our strikers get injured and there is no-one there to provide back-up. It is great to see so much talent coming through and each one of those players offers something different to the team with their ability. I see myself as offering something different to those guys.

As you mention, you remain Australia’s only proven target man – is that reassuring?
I don’t need reassurance or anything like that. I guess I am specific in what I can do and offer. Holger [Osieck] also knows what I can and can’t do and how he wants to use me. Recently that has been paying off.

That said there seemed to be some criticism of you and Tim Cahill playing together – considering Timmy’s stature and reputation is that a concern? Can you play together?
We have played together in the past, so I don’t think one poor game [versus Thailand] where we did not function together, or the team did not function too well, is an indication that we can’t play together. Timmy and I spoke after that game and we knew we stepped on each other’s toes a little bit. But I am sure we will get other opportunities to play together and cause plenty of problems for other teams.

Who, or what type of player, is the ideal strike partner for you?
It depends who, and where, we are playing. Plus what formation we are using. I am classed as the big man and people think there should be a little man next to me. But it all depends on the occasion and our approach.

Speaking of smaller strike partners, would Scott McDonald be an ideal foil for you if given time?
That’s the biggest aspect – ‘if given time’. We have had maybe one game together in the past couple of years where we have both started. I would love to play with Scotty, he is
a hard-working little man. The next time we are in camp, we will discover what Holger thinks. Hopefully if we get together in training we can show what we can do.

A common comment about you is that when you play, Australia ends up playing a more direct style. Is that fair?
If you look at the Thailand game everyone would say yes, if you looked at the Saudi game everyone would say no. Nobody in the team is saying: ‘Josh is playing, let’s hit long balls to him’. The key aspect is getting balls into the box from the right positions. Nobody likes to see a long ball from the defender to the striker.

Holger has been complimentary of you and your current form, how have you found him?
From my time in Germany, I have gained an understanding of his mentality and what he wants from me. So far it is working out quite well and it has been a good experience.

Has he spoken to you much one-on-one?
A little bit. After or before training we have a little chat sometimes. He might have some comments on the game or the training session.

Holger has struck us a relaxed and actually quite funny character.
He loves a joke! It is quite funny when he has a lot of English sayings that aren’t quite right! I can’t think of any examples off the top of my head. He is very nice to get along with. 

It is a lengthy process qualifying for a World Cup, but how much does getting to play in Brazil drive your game?
It is definitely that light at the end of the tunnel. It is the reward for years of hard work. Especially coming in the later part of my career, to play in a third World Cup would be a massive personal achievement.  

Josh was speaking to us as an ambassador for Qantas.

This article appeared in the December 2011 issue of Australian FourFourTwo magazine. To buy back copies of this issue call 03-8317-8121 with a credit card to hand.

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