Darryl Lachman: Perth Glory’s Big Centreback
Earlier this year, I had the honour of interviewing Perth Glory fan favourite and Curaçao international, Darryl Lachman. Similarly to my interview with Brandon O’Neill, he answered many questions from our Instagram and Twitter pages.
So first of all Darryl thank you so much for doing the interview with us, it really means a lot as we know there are many Glory fans, including us, who are keen to know more about you.
No Worries.
So let’s start off with the first question, how are you finding Perth?
Perth is actually nice, laidback and chilled. It’s not what I was used to back home where it’s more fast paced, but I like it.
That’s great to hear, many people have said similar things, so that’s good. Next question is how have you found our season so far?
It’s not bad but it’s not good. I can say that if I look at our position on the table, we have lost some games that we should have won and some games that we should have taken a point from we lost as well, so that’s our season in a nutshell I think.
We play good and feel positive in some games and then when something doesn’t go our way, like we concede a goal and we lose focus and concentration, and as a team we find it hard to find back the balance again.
Yeah it has been a difficult season. Next question is how does the training/recovery/tactical/performance analysis in the A-League compare to what you have experienced?
It’s all new for everybody in that this season is 6 months, so every 4–5 days there’s a game, so it’s hard. It’s also hard to train at 100% with loads of games, and the recovery is crucial and I think as a group we have been doing it ok. Everybody knows their own body as well as what they need for recovery.
Yeah fair enough. We could imagine that this season has been pretty hectic and recovery has probably been very difficult in particular. Next question is what do you like and not like about the A-League. Do you have any suggestions as to how we can improve as a league?
Every league is different, so it’s hard to compare the leagues with each other, so it’s hard to say what I do like. What I dislike is the referees and VAR here. Their decisions and also how long they wait before they make a decision is too long, but that’s a little bit everywhere so they can improve that.
Ah ok, yeah they’re definitely things we can improve on. In terms of your time at the club, what attracted you to come to Australia/Perth?
Never thought I was gonna play in Australia and because of the time difference you don’t get news from Australia in the Netherlands. So I just came here and gave it a surprise, and so far I’m happy I came over to Perth because it’s safe here and the weather been incredible, so I’ve enjoyed my time here so far.
That’s a great answer. Next question, who is the fastest player at Glory?
We got some fast players including me, I’m definitely in the top 5. But I think the fastest player is Nick D’Agostino — he’s a fast and powerful player. Dane Ingham and Jason Geria are also fast.
Yeah true. So next question, who gets nutmegged the most in training?
Hahaha we get fined during training if we get a nutmeg but last week Jonathan Aspropotamitis got nutmegged 5 times in a rondo, so I’d have to say Aspro.
Hahahaha, oh my days! So next question, you’ve spent a lot of time in the Eredivise, in particular PEC Zwolle. How was your time at the club? Did you have any highlights?
Yeah I went there when I was younger and my highlights at that club is that I won their first division title that brought us up to the Eredivisie and then my last season we won the cup, where we beat Ajax 5–1. It was very impressive for a smaller club in PEC Zwolle.
Yeah that’s huge, well done. Speaking of teams like Ajax, who is the biggest team you’ve ever played against and also who is the best player you’ve ever played against?
As a youth player when I was at Ajax, I played against Arsenal & AC Milan. The best player I played against was in a youth tournament against Aubameyang when he played at AC Milan and a couple of years ago I played against Pulisic just before he went to Chelsea.
Wow, that’s very good! So this is a good segway onto our next few questions regarding Curaçao. What has been your favourite country to play an international fixture against and will you be playing in the 2021 Gold Cup in the USA?
I played in two games against big countries in Mexico and the USA. As a small country in Curacao, every nation that we face is a tough challenge, because we’re always the underdogs but we’ve been good in the last few years. I don’t know if I’ll be playing in the 2021 Gold Cup. if I’m allowed to travel there, then I would be proud to play for Curacao again.
That’ll be great if you get to represent them again. Now a few days ago we asked some of our followers at Gloryous World some questions for you. There is a fair amount! So the first one is from Dylan who asks if there’s any significance to the number 29 that you have as your jersey?
Yes special reason for me. My daughter was born on the 29 of December, so that’s why I chose 29.
Aww that’s nice to hear. Rupert has asked two questions — what’s your best moment in your career so far and who’s the funniest player at Glory?
I have a few. Winning the cup in Holland with PEC Zwolle against Ajax, winning the Caribbean Cup and qualifying with Curacao for the Gold Cup. The funniest player at Glory is Dane Ingham.
Aha I’m not surprised. Next question is from Andrew and he asks if you have a favourite team in the Premier League?
I don’t really follow much football from Europe anymore but when I was younger I went for Arsenal cause of Henry and Dennis Bergkamp and I also watched Chelsea cause of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. If I have to choose now for a team in the EPL, I’ll go for the Sheik Money Club, Manchester City hahaha.
Ahaha, next question is from Cam and he asks who would win in an arm wrestle — you or Ruben Zadkovich?
I would win.
Ahaha good stuff. What are your ambitions for after football?
I think I want to stay in Football and be a coach for the younger kids, maybe around the age of 15/16.
Ah that’s cool. Last question, will we see you at Glory next season?
Yes, you will see me next season!
