Soccer: Ryan Nelsen answers your World Cup questions

All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen. Photo / Doug Sherring

All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen answers a selection of readers' questions.

With New Zealand soccer on such a high, where does the game go from here and how do we bridge the gap between the NZFC and international stage? All the best to the team and coaching staff.
Andrew J. Lee, Wellington.

The grassroots level is great in New Zealand - the problem to me involves providing the right infrastructure so players are supported when they get into their teenage years. The NZFC will get better and better if the youth set-up is right and then hopefully that will lead to a better standard so more New Zealanders can play for the Phoenix and overseas.

Ryan, I love soccer and I'm doing a school project on you, so could you answer a couple of questions? How do you communicate with players who speak a different language? How do you adjust to different altitudes and temperatures? And, do you miss your local supporters at overseas games?
Jack Martin, aged 11, King's School.

Hi, Jack. Generally the non-English-speaking guys know the basic commands and in the end you figure out pretty quickly, through pointing or grunting or any way you can, to get the message across.

With temperature and altitude, I try to put it in the back of my mind and not let it be an excuse. The more you think and worry about things like that, the more they will affect you.

It's always great to have home support, but sometimes it's fun to go into a hostile environment and beat the odds.

Is there any chance that you will play for the Wellington Phoenix in future?
Andrew, aged 10, Bucklands Beach.

Never say never, I have two more years with Blackburn, but after that you never know. Anyway, the Nix have some really good defenders - they don't need me!

Hi Ryan. How does the All Whites' training camp environment differ to that at Blackburn? What are the different coaching mentalities of Sam Allardyce and Ricki Herbert? Good luck and I'll be watching every game (and England's)!
Paul C., director of football, Northcross Intermediate.

At Blackburn we have about 18 different nationalities so that is a huge difference for a start. Also, Blackburn has a fairly extensive budget so everything you could think of is taken care of in the name of winning football matches. In contrast, the All Whites are restricted by budget restraints.

Sam is an incredible manager with a huge presence - he does not care what anybody thinks about him and all he wants to do is win. He makes sure his players are happy, which is great. Ricki is still raw in coaching terms and the more experience he gets the more confidence he will have in implementing his ideas.

I understand you have a bachelor's degree in political science from the prestigious Stanford University. Do teammates rib you about being such a bright spark? Have you thought about doing postgraduate studies back home when your playing days are over?
-Dr Geoff Kemp, Department of Political Studies, University of Auckland.

I originally wanted to go to law school in America before soccer intervened. Most of my teammates read comic books and would not even know what political science means so they can't rib me about something they don't understand. If I do decide to come home and study I will look you up and seek your advice.

You made your career in America. What's the best bet for a young player: put your faith in the New Zealand system and hope to get spotted here, or pack the bags and head for somewhere like the States? Could you give us a little insight into American college soccer?
Louise Taylor, Waterview.

I chose the States because I wanted a degree and love the university sports environment. But that might not be the way for others. If you are good enough you will get noticed these days no matter where you are, but the best bet is to sit down and really have a good think about your options.

In the end there is no right or wrong answer - it's just life. You have to go and live it, and have no regrets.

The English Premier League is probably the toughest on the planet, but the World Cup is a whole new ball game. How do you handle the stress and pressure associated with being in the most watched and prized sports tournament in the world?
Luca Biuso.

The Premier League is tougher than the World Cup in terms of teams you play, but the difference is you have three do-or-die games in the World Cup where anyone can beat anyone. You cannot have a bad day at the office.

I try and use the stress and pressure to play at my best; I try to use it as a positive, not a negative.

I was in Blackburn last August for your opening game and the local paper described you as their Australian captain. Are you often confused with being Australian over there?
Alan Boniface, Snells Beach.

I don't see it happening very often, thank goodness, and make sure I kick any reporter in the shins if they make that mistake. Most people at least now know I am 100 per cent Kiwi.

Did you always want to play as a defender? My two boys are in junior teams where everyone wants to be a striker or midfielder and most teams have to convert players to the defence. Yet I've started to realise that defender is the most difficult position to play and defenders are worth their weight in gold. Would you rather play elsewhere? And any advice for the boys?
Kerry Dean.

It's great that the boys try all positions as each require different skill sets. I started out as a striker and then the midfield. As the boys grow and develop they will gravitate to their best position.

I am quite happy as a defender - I really enjoy it, but you are one mistake away from a goal and that can be stressful. I suppose that is why I love it as well.

Hi Ryan. Having played against Wayne Rooney, Fernando Torres, Carlos Tevez, Didier Drogba and Robin Van Persie, who do you think will have the biggest influence at the World Cup and why? And honestly, who is the dirtiest player you have come across in the English Premier League?
Geoff Stringer.

I hope Rooney holds the most sway because I want England to do well, but Torres is fit and I think he is the best striker going around at the moment. The dirtiest player is tough because the game has changed and you just can't do the skulduggery any more, but there are some very hard players. I'll nominate Kevin Davies from Bolton - we always have some really good battles.

Fernando Torres scored one of the great Premiership goals against Blackburn - do moments like that inspire you to get revenge by being even more determined the next time you play against him?
Darren, Browns Bay.

Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up when players do something spectacular like that - it comes with the territory when you play in the Premier League. You just have to try to eliminate the chances these great players get because eventually they will hurt you.