Tired of waiting for answers FourFourTwo blogger Stephen Daughtry decided to do something completely outrageous - he asked someone. Fortunately that someone ended up being Adelaide vice-captain, Lucas Pantelis, who generously give him a heads-up on how he was thinking about last year, this year - and a whole lot else besides.

Last season

442 - Last year was an amazing year for the club and the fans. A great season, a brilliant ACL run and just pipped for the Premiership and the Grand Final. Looking back on it what are your best memories?

LP - Our Asian journey was a special one, I guess. Being underdogs nearly every game and then to come up and make the final at only our second try was a great effort, not only for the club but for the players. It's not an easy competition and we had to do it the hard way because last year you had to finish top of the group, there was none of this 'top two' as there is this year. To finish top of the group was a massive feat but to go on and make the quarters and the semis - and then to make the final - was the one thing that really stands out. We can talk about the Grand Final and the Premiership but, again, we missed out on both trophies which is something that not only the club, but us players, want to rectify in the upcoming season.

442 - Are you watching the ACL at the moment and wishing you were there?

LP - Of course. I've watched every game. But we're there again next year and there's a lot to look forward to. We do wish the other Aussie clubs well in the ACL whether we're participating in it or not. So all the best to Newcastle and Central Coast. For us it's another learning opportunity to see what teams are out there so that next year we can be even better prepared.

442 - Both clubs are currently bottom of their group. Is there any sense in which it's almost nice to see that, because you did so well and you want that achievement to be recognised?

LP - Just a little bit (laughs). It just goes to show how hard the competition is and how well we did because Central Coast and Newcastle are both great sides and, unfortunately, they are sitting bottom of their respective groups. I think Adelaide United can take a huge pat on the back and hope we can do even better in the ACL in 2010.

442 - Not having won any silverware, does last season seem like a failure or a success?

LP - People probably say it's a failed season but we can look back and show it was a pretty successful one. To make the ACL and the A-League finals in the same season - I've said it already - it just goes to show that the players we had last season, we all fought for one another. At times we didn't play the best football, we all know that, but that's when you find out whether you're a good side or not. If you can play not-so-well and still pick up the results. I think we proved to ourselves and the Australian public that we could compete on both fronts. I guess it was a successful season but....it would have been nice to get some silverware.

442 -  Which of the competitions would you most liked to have won - the ACL or the Grand Final?

LP - Can I take both? (laughs) They're two different honours I guess. Winning the A-League is bragging rights for the next season and winning the ACL is bragging rights all around Asia. To win one would have been fantastic. To win both would have been even better but at least we showed our fans that we got there, we worked hard. On the nights we just weren't good enough or luck didn't go our way - and that's the way football is.

442 - Does getting so close make the prize seem more important this coming year?

LP - It makes us more hungry. The players that have remained here, we know what our limits are and we know we can make that little step further still. This year we can concentrate purely on the season ahead. The ACL will only coincide if we make the finals - that'll be a bit tough then - but we're concentrating on the season and bringing that silverware to the club.

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Speaking personally.

442 - In the past there have been injuries for you to deal with. How have you coped with being out when injured?

LP - 2006 was a tough year. I did my ACL so I had to have a total knee reconstruction. That was probably the toughest nine months of my life. After nine months, that's when I started joining the group and training again. Then last year, I was happy with the way I started and then I hurt my groin. I was out for about six weeks then came back from that and hurt my knee again and was out for another six weeks. That's when you just have to have faith in your medical staff and do what you're told and look after yourself. That's all you can do. Just pray that, with each session coming back, you're getting closer to regaining your spot in the eleven and playing again.

442 - Do you still love to play?

LP - Of course. Having had that 12 months out of the game made me realise how lucky I am as a person to have this as my full-time profession. It's something that you love. Not many people get to have that in life. Each session and each game that I play, first and foremost I have to enjoy it. That's how I look at it. Then there's the winning and losing - I hate to lose - but that's secondary. It's a great job and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

442 - You're 27 this year and pretty much in your prime playing years. How are you feeling about your game?

LP - I feel better than ever. I feel fresh. We've had a six week break after the final and we've got a long pre-season ahead. It's early days but I feel great. I just can't wait for August 7 and the first game.

442 - What goals have you set yourself for the coming year/season?

LP - To stay injury free. I think every player's worst nightmare is to get injured during the season. If I can stay healthy I just want to cement my spot in the eleven. Then - as a team - we want to make the four....

442 - You mean the six?

LP - Is it six this year? Oh, ok. (laughs)  Wow. We've got a totally different team this year. We're missing seven players from last year and we've got a very young squad. If we can help the younger ones through and make the...six, then come finals time I believe it's anyone's game. Whoever finishes first to sixth, everyone's got a chance. Finals football is totally different so we'll see how we go and then worry about Asia.

442 - Who are the players that inspire you? Or that you model your game on?

LP - That's a tough one. I guess I look at players in my position - left or right sided players. I don't model myself on people like Cristiano Ronaldo. I think he's just a class above everyone else. In the old days I used to admire (John) Barnes from Liverpool, I think he was such a creative player. These days, probably more Steven Gerrard. He's a class act. Even if they're not playing in the same position as me... they're just consistent every single game and are so professional. You look at the way they perform over nine or ten months of the year with a game every three or four days. It's just amazing.

442 - A lot of people spend a lot of time talking about the standard of the A-league. How do you feel about that?

LP - I don't think the standard is that far off. I'm not talking about the Premier League or Serie A or the Spanish League - I think the A-League is a little far off that. I think the rest of the European countries, like the Swiss, Danish, Greek or Turkish Leagues; I don't think we're far off. I think the only difference is that we don't play as many games. I think that's where people do criticise the A-League. Now we have the addition of two extra teams and that'll push us to 27 games so it's a little bit better - but it's still nowhere near what they play in Europe. They're playing 38 games a year. Also, in Europe they have Champions League or UEFA Cup and your FA Cup type of competitions so there are even more games. That's probably where the difference lies.

442 - Would you like to see an FA Cup style competition in Australia and just have the Premier win the League?

LP - I don't think that would suit the market in Australia. I think Australians crave finals football. That's just the way it is. I'd like to see a cup competition but I don't know how that's going to work with only ten teams. In Europe you might have 50 teams spread across three or four divisions.

442 - If we brought in State league teams?

LP - I don't see how the economics would work for local teams.

442 - Does the success of some former Reds like Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite inspire you? Have you thought of going overseas yourself or are you a happy Red?

LP - I'm a happy Red, but in saying that, every player - be they 19 or 30 - if you get a chance to play at a higher level, well, it's every player's dream. At 27, as you said, I'm probably in my prime and the next move is critical. I'm happy here and I've got a year left on my contract but if a move to a better place comes up... I guess I'd look at it. But at this stage I'm very happy here.

442 -  You've seen some of your teammates called up for the national team. Any thoughts of a Socceroos call-up yourself?

LP - Most definitely. I mean, to see your teammates get called up, it's not only great for them but it's great for the club and it makes you wonder if you're not that far off as well. It's great to think that you can make the Socceroos. Gone are the days when it was just European based players, now the A-league players are getting a look in and it gives us a real incentive to play well knowing that if you do play well you'll get rewarded.

442 - There's been a lot of criticism of the A-League based team Pim chose for the game against Kuwait, some saying that A-League players just can't cut it. What do you think about that?

LP - I think the A-league players can do the job for the national team. No question about that. I think that it's always hard for the national team to get enough preparation time. Don't just look at the last result. It's a one-off. It was a bad performance by the boys and they know that. Just talking to a few of the boys here they know that it wasn't a good performance but I feel the A-League players can do the job if asked.

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The coming year.

442 -  What are the prospects for the team this year?

LP - Well, as I said we've lost seven players and we're bringing in some new faces, but it'll be a more youthful side. Every team wants to make the top six. Halfway through the season come back to me and I might tell you top two, depending on where we are. We're still about 15 weeks away from our first game and at this stage we're just getting to know each other again and getting to know the new boys. No-one really enjoys pre-season but I like it. Maybe that's just me, being out for so long with the knee that I just enjoy anything.

442 - How are you feeling about the expanded competition?

LP - I think it's great. You're still playing each team three times but there's more games and I think the public want more games. More home games means more revenue for the clubs, which is what the clubs need. It also gives the players who haven't quite made it a chance to make it because there's another 40 extra jobs available. Hopefully we can bring in more teams and expand the league again.

442 - Are you looking forward to facing Jason Culina and Robbie Fowler? Does it make a difference to play a 'legend'?

LP - Playing against Robbie Fowler would be every player's dream. It'll be fantastic. I used to watch him - I'm a huge Liverpool fan. Barnes, Gerrard - if you didn't notice (laughs). Obviously Robbie's scored some cracking goals for Liverpool. To play against Jason Culina, you'll know where you're at - if you could compete in Europe. Obviously he's competed in Europe for years with PSV and if you can play against him then you can tell whether you've got it or not. It's great that the overseas boys are coming back to the A-League. I think that's what we need. Good quality players coming back and playing in the country where they grew up and learnt their football. I'm looking forward to it.

442 - Does it annoy the players to hear the pre-season boasting of Gold Coast's owner?

LP - What they say is their prerogative. And the end of the day we have to look at ourselves - my team, our team - rather than looking at all the other teams. If their owner wants to come out and say that then good luck to him. He's very confident obviously and if that creates a bit of speculation within the media, the players and the coaches, it's pretty good banter and we just take it onboard. But as I say, at this stage we just worry about what we do as a team and then, when we come up against them, I'm sure we'll knock them off.

442 - Every fan wants to know if we're going to have new strikers for this coming year. Are we? Who?

LP - Not a clue in the world. I can't tell you. Obviously it's been stated in the media that we're looking for a high quality striker. Who that will be I'm not sure but I'm sure the public will know as soon as it happens.

442 - Ok, I knew you weren't going to answer that question.

LP - No, honestly, I don't know.

442 -  Which team do the Reds see as the biggest threat? Is it Melbourne again?

LP - Melbourne's always up there, no question about that.  I guess Sydney have a lot to prove because they had a pretty bad season last year. And of course us. I'm sure we'll be in the mix again. With the two new teams you can't really say anything about them yet. You can look at the individual players but they haven't played together as a team. Melbourne haven't lost many players so you know what to expect from them. I guess Newcastle and Central Coast have a lot to prove. With Newcastle, Premiers one year and bottom the next is pretty bad. Every team has heaps to prove to one another. I'm pretty sure we'll be up there again and you can't but say Melbourne will be around the mark.

The Club.

442 -  We've got a great run of home games to start the season. How important is it that the team gets off to a good start?

LP - It's vital. Looking at our draw towards the end of the season a good start could really help us. Last year we only lost about four games, five games - including ACL - so Hindmarsh was a bit of a fortress. That's very important. The year that we didn't make the finals our home form was still quite good. I think it's five out of the first seven  games at home so it's going to be very important for us to win, if not all, then at least four because towards the end of the season we've got five out of seven away. Time will tell.

442 -  What part do the fans play in motivating the team? If a big crowd shows up does it make a difference?

LP - When we crack the 12-14000 mark, not only does it look good but it also looks scary for opposition teams. When you see a sea of red you're not going to like it. It's the same for us when we go interstate and we see opposition colours. Our crowd's quite loud as well and it does create the twelfth man. It's good when they get stuck into the opposition and it's good when they applaud us when we get stuck into the opposition. I think the crowd is vital to our success and the more we get the better I'm sure we'll be.

442 - Late last year there were rumours of player unrest and factions within the club. A lot of fans were confused and worried. Was it just the end of a tiring, huge season or was there more to it than that?

LP - I think what happened during the finals was just a combination of things. It was a massive year. I mean, the games were fine but the travelling really took its toll. To travel straight after a weekend game to go to Uzbekistan or Japan and then come back and play again, I think it really took its toll. Everyone needed a good break and we've had that now and I think there's nothing to be worried about. The club is still very, very strong. We're still united as a team. There was probably just a bit of steam coming off towards the end, which happens. In this case it happened and it made us perform better against Queensland and Melbourne. Maybe it was needed.

442 - So, it's a happy camp now.

LP - Definitely. The coach, players, staff that we have now - it's all rosy. I guess, come the season, the coaches won't be so happy, it'll be a bit more tense. That's just natural. It's our sport, the game that we play. Come the business of the season everyone gets a bit fired up and that's healthy.

442 - We've lost some experienced and influential players. Will the new boys fill the gaps well?

LP - Of course. The players that we have lost are very, very experienced players in Costanzo, Ognenovski, Agostino, Valkanis.  Those four guys have played over a thousand games between them. That's where the next generation of experienced players need to come in. Players like myself, Travis (Dodd), Paul Reid, Iain Fyfe, Eugene (Galekovic). We have to step up.

442 - Finally, there have been rumours about money troubles and ownership. How do you see the future of Adelaide United. Is it bright? Or dim?

LP - That's up to the owners and the board and what they decide. As a player all I can do is look forward to the next training session. That's the admin side and, I guess, whatever happens, happens. I don't know what's going on. I have to concentrate on playing football.

Thanks to Lucas and Nic Kerber from Adelaide United for agreeing to and arranging the interview. Picture (c) Stephen Daughtry.