Stephen Warnock's 10 to tackle, featuring Brad Friedel's strange superstitions
Thursday 1 October 2015 22:41, UK
Derby defender Stephen Warnock answers 10 questions in this week's FL72 Podcast, where he reveals Brad Friedel's bizarre ritual.
What do your team-mates call you?
Warno. Originally it was Calves, because I've got big calves.
The best thing about playing for Derby?
The following we get. We get great support week in, week out home and away. Obviously it's a huge club and has the potential to be back in the Premier League, and that's where we want to take it.
Cleverest team-mate?
Alex Pearce probably, he seems to be quite clued in.
Who isn't the brightest?
Scott Carson. He wouldn't be happy with me saying that. Bradley Johnson has had a bit of stick about calling us Derby City.
Any superstitions?
No, but the strangest I've seen is Brad Friedel. He used to have his towel laid out, then his credit cards laid out, then his car keys in a certain way, and if anyone would move them he wouldn't be happy at all.
He'd also come out and walk over lines in a certain way. If there were lines in the changing room on the floor he would step over them or step to the side. You'd see him doing it on the pitch as well.
Best player you've played with?
It would have to be [Steven] Gerrard. Hands down. To train with him week in, week out and see what he's really like was brilliant.
Who do you wish you could have played with?
John Barnes was my idol growing up. I used to be a left winger and every time I watched him I was in awe. I was fortunate enough to train with him a few times at Liverpool.
Best moment in football?
Personally, pulling on an England shirt. That's the pinnacle of anyone's career. But on the other side playing for Liverpool was a childhood dream. I've been very, very lucky.
Worst moment?
Breaking my leg and thinking my career was over. It was very tough to get over. I've done it three times, and I'm very fortunate to carry on playing.
Where will Derby finish?
If we carry on progressing how we know we can, with the players we've got, we hope to finish in the automatic promotion places.
