Marc van Heerden answers your questions October 6, 2009 Why did he join Usuthu? What is his nickname? Is he carrying extra weight this season? Marc van Heerden answers your questions…

1. First up to put Marc on the spot: Lucky Jobe from Pietermaritzburg

Marc thanks for having chosen Usuthu over other teams that wanted to sign you. I do like your performance and commitment. I am however having a problem by the way you guys defend, the whole defence.

Q: You look to have gained few kilos, isn't that affecting your performance maybe?

A: My weight is at the right level but I would like to trim up a bit, but as it affecting my performance - you be the judge of that. ;-) smiles.

Q: What is wrong with our defence, you guys are conceding goals every match.

What is it that you are not doing right?

A: Our defence is solid I believe, it’s just a lack of concentration when it matters.

Q: Marc I have seen most of you hide when the opposition takes shot at our goals. If you see the defenders from other teams, they put their bodies between the ball and the goals but you guys don't do that, you just look away and that confuses me coz how are you gonna see where the ball is going if you look away and hide?

Where is the commitment? Another thing Marc, who leads our defence, who gives instructions? I have seen that we lack that person who can marshal that defence because you find most of you in wrong positions when we defend set pieces.

A: We should all be marshalling ourselves at the back; it’s just a lack of concentration in critical moments as I’ve said.

2. I'm Khulekani Mazibuko, and I’d like to get answers from Usuthu’s left back, as we have been provided with an opportunity to do so.

Q: Marc, what made you leave Pretoria for Durban? Was it a personal decision or was it your agents move to sign you with Usuthu?

A: It was a personal decision to leave at Tuks. AmaZulu is a big club that I'm happy to showcase my talents in.

Q: At the age of 21 and playing professional football, do you see yourself representing the country?

A: I think I have the talent to represent my country and it would be a great honour to. I work hard at training and at my game everyday. I like the competition and that is what helps me to work even harder.

Q: Do you feel that you’ve secured your position or do you always have to up your game against other left backs in the team? What would you like to achieve with Usuthu this season? Do you have any hopes of applying your trade abroad, if so, where?

A: Winning the league would be my dream this season with Usuthu but a top 4 finish would be a great achievement too. Yes I would like to play overseas any player would. As for where, Europe would do it for me.

Q: Adding on SAFA, do you honestly think that the organisation does enough to groom youngsters with necessary training facilities like soccer academies?

A: Our standards are good, good competition we still have space to grow and make it a league world players would like to play in. I’m sure SAFA too will change things.

3. My name is Yamkela Xhaso.

Q: Here is my question for Marc Van Heerden. Which striker in the PSL do you fear the most and why?

Answer: Sorry to disappoint you Yamkela, but I don’t have player that I fear unfortunately. I try hard to push my self to stamp my own authority in the field.

4. Hey Marc. Just want to know why its so hard for a white guy 2 make it at football in SA. Well done 2 u 4 where u is. Keep up the good /hard work. Will still b shouting 4 u guys 4rm the stands. Usuthu

A: Well I just think some of the white players need to have the right dedication and try to stick it out. If you have that nothing can stand in your way this is football you play with your feet, so colour shouldn’t matter.

5. Hi Marc,

Q: You've been with the team for long enough now but I haven't heard your nickname. Do you have one?

Q: Marc, I have a concern regarding our backline, you guys, do you ever talk during the match? It seems as if there is a lot of communication breakdown, especially when we attacking. We battle to deal with counter-attacks. The second concern is that I see you attacking a lot this season which is good. I'm under impression that you give an extra effort on practicing the short at goals. If not, you better start, its gonna be worth your while.

A: My nickname is…, eish. I have lots of them. But Sdumo is the one I’m comfortable with. It’s taken from that TV programme of that guy who had a big beard. Yes you’re right this happens a lot when I play. But we work on the communication and I’m comfortable with my attacking and defence duties.