Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek today hosed down a potential spat with his Crystal Palace counterpart Neil Warnock after clarifying comments he made about English football and the club's Australian midfielder Nicky Carle.
Warnock went on the offensive after it was reported that Dutchman Verbeek felt Carle wasn't suited by the style of football in the second tier of the English competition.
"The coach should talk about his own performances with Australia, he doesn't know anything about Palace - when has he seen us play?" Warnock told the South London Press.
"He's only read newspapers or seen tv games which you can't possibly judge.
"He should come and see us more often and get a better assessment."
Verbeek today emphasised not all of his comments about Carle had been reported.
"I think I should have sent him all the tapes of what I have said," Verbeek said.
"Because if you say something about a player you always get half of what I said.
"I'm not saying that what I said wasn't true, but they (the media) forget sometimes somethings.
"I never said it was a terrible club, did I. I really love English football, I think Cystal Palace is a great club.
"I only have my doubts about Nicky and his qualities if he wants to be in the Socceroo team for the future.
"That's all I said. I'm the manager of the Socceroos, I've never said anything wrong or stupid or negative about Crystal Palace, but I have no problems to call him (Warnock) and tell him what I've said, because he knows that he should not believe what is in the media."
Verbeek said he didn't want to talk more about Carle and just wanted him to produce the goods on the field.
"How many games did he play in the last month, in the last year, let him show himself, his qualities," Verbeek said of Carle.
"The last time he played well was here in the A-League, that's two years ago."
Carle said he hadn't seen reports of Verbeek's initial comments, but was disappointed at being omitted from the Australian squad for next week's World Cup qualifier against Qatar in Brisbane.
"I'm someone who always wants to be part of the international side, the biggest honour of any professional to play for their country. The onus is on me to work hard," Carle said.
