Post by ade on Nov 27, 2006 18:19:21 GMT -1
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BERGER: JUST LET ME PLAY
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15:00 - 25 November 2006
Patrik Berger agreed to join Stoke after a minor fall-out with Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill - but insists he isn't here to sulk.And the 33-year-old former Czech international has assured Stoke he is match-fit - despite only making two appearances this season - and was raring for a home debut against West Brom today.
O'Neill has revealed he released Berger after a minor breach of club discipline - believed to be a refusal to play in the reserves - allowing Stoke to sign him on loan until January 4.
Berger says he just wants football after being plagued by injury concerns for much of his Villa career since arriving from Portsmouth in the summer of 2005.
"I've had problems with a little injury," he said, "and didn't have a pre-season.
"The new manager started well, so there was no reason to change the team - and I can understand that. But that can go on until the end of the year and I don't want that to happen.
"When this opportunity came along I knew it would be great for me to take advantage and play games. I have a better chance of playing here than I had at Aston Villa over the last few weeks."
Berger will be dropping out of the top division for the first time in his career to join a clutch of other Premiership players on loan at the Britannia.
"They all want to play football," he reasoned, "and if you are not playing for a Premier League team, you would rather drop down to the lower league.
"It's not a big deal for me. I can drive here every day and I don't have to move my family. That's one of the reasons I joined. I don't care what league it is as long as I am playing."
He said he was open-minded over his best position in a Stoke side hitting the high road with six wins in eight games.
"Obviously I'm an attack-minded player, but it's up to the manager and I'll play anywhere he wants me to.
"I know a lot of the lads here and I just want to help them move into the top six.
"If we can stay together for a while, we can continue this excellent run the lads have been on in recent weeks."