QPR defender and Latvian Football Player of the Year Kaspars Gorkss looking forward to the FA Cup 3rd Round match against Sheffield United
Queens Park Rangers defender Kaspars Gorkss is ready to begin the second half of the 2009-10 Coca-Cola Championship campaign; hope for one of the promotion playoff spots remains.
Gorkss is also excited for this weekend's 3rd Round FA Cup match against Sheffield United. The defender is focused on the match and ready for the challenge.
The 28-year-old, recently named the 2009 Latvian Football Player of the Year, took time to answer several questions about the season and the FA Cup match for Football London via email.
Q. The club sits midtable right now. Are you happy with the QPR's performance at this point in the season?
- No not really. We had some good spells, but in general we HAVE not been consistent enough. With the squad we got we should be higher in the table. But its more than 20 games left and we still have the time to improve and get at least to play off places, which is our goal now.
Q. And are you satisfied with your individual performance thus far?
- Not completely. Last year we had one of the best defensive records in Championship, but this year we've been struggling to keep clean sheets and we are conceding too many easy goals. So as a defender I can't be completely satisfied with my own performance.
On the other hand I scored my first goal for QPR which was very nice. I was getting far too much stick from my teammates for not been able to score for nearly 18 months.
Q. What players are the toughest to mark in the Championship?
- There are a lot of good strikers in Championship, but toughest one I have played this season against was Newcastle's Andy Carroll.
Q. The club has Sheffield United in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup. Are you excited about the match?
- There always certain buzz around FA Cup. It's the oldest football competition in the world with great history.
Having a good cup run you get opportunity to play against top teams in the country. And as a player there's no better experience than to play against [the] best players in England.
Q. Have you had time to reflect on being named the 2009 Latvian Football of the Year?
- For me it's a very big honor to be named Latvian Footballer of the Year. But I don't get too carried away with this. I would be much happier if Latvian National Team managed to qualify for 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Q. Are you looking forward to Latvia's Euro 2012 qualification?
- Very much so. We had a good run in qualifiers for World Cup 2010, when we just missed out on play off place.
So I can't wait for next qualifiers and maybe make the next step by getting to Euro's 2012.
And now for some off the pitch questions...
Q. Favorite place to eat in London?
- I don't really have a favourite restaurant. I love my wife's cooking at home and if I go out for something to eat, I always try different restaurants for new tastes and experiences.
Q. What music do you enjoy?
- All kind of music. Everything from alternative to r'n'b to classic music.
And I'm still learning different new type[s] of music from my teammates. Right now they are my biggest influence in my music choices.
Q. What do you miss most about living away from Latvia?
Mostly my friends and family. That's really it.
I enjoy living in London and I have everything I need right here.
Q. Where do you prefer to go on holiday after the season ends?
- I always go back home to Latvia. In summer the weather is not too bad there and thats the place where I find it easiest to relax and prepare for the next season. Read more...
