Raheem Sterling was left unimpressed as a reporter appeared to laugh when asking him a few probability he had missed following Feyenoord’s 3-3 draw with NAC Breda.
The 31-year-old forward made his full Feyenoord debut in Sunday’s six-goal Eredivisie thriller having come on instead within the club’s previous two matches against Telstar and FC Twente.
Visa issues meant Sterling’s first training sessions together with his latest team-mates – after leaving Chelsea by mutual consent – needed to be delayed in what has been a frustrating begin to life within the Netherlands.
But there have been glimpses of promise in Sterling’s performance on the Rat Verlegh Stadium, with the attacker linking well with Jordon Bos down the left flank.
In an entertaining first half, Kamal Sowah cancelled out Ayase Ueda’s opening goal before Luciano Valente restored Feyenoord’s advantage on the half-hour mark.
A pair of quickfire goals from Boyd Lucassen and Andre Ayew put NAC Breda in front on the break, just for Ueda to strike again to make all of it square again within the 52nd minute.
Robin van Persie decided to take Sterling off for the fresh legs of Aymen Sliti within the 63rd minute but NAC Breda stood strong as second-placed Feyenoord searched in vain for a winner against the Eredivisie strugglers.
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‘It was my first start and, after all, I wanted to return away with the three points,’ Sterling told ESPN shortly after the ultimate whistle.
‘It was somewhat bit disappointing with a few of the goals we conceded.
‘I assumed we showed great spirit as a team and fought back.’
In his post-match interview, Sterling appeared somewhat puzzled as to why Van Persie had opted to bring him off with half-hour of the match remaining.
‘Yeah, I felt ok to proceed but, after all, it’s the coach’s decision,’ the England international explained.
On the suggestion he desired to remain on the pitch, Sterling replied: ‘Like every footballer does.
‘When you’re on the grass, you simply need to be within the grass. Nevertheless it’s comprehensible.
‘It’s one other good step. Must have come away with a win there today.
‘Mixed emotions with the performance because I assumed we could have won the sport.
‘There was a little bit of switching off at times but I assumed there was some excellent football at times and if we proceed to that and proceed to play… we’ve got some very intelligent players and we’ve got to maintain playing that way.’
Sterling stressed that it was all the way down to him and the remainder of the squad to ‘keep constructing’ on the positive elements of their play within the remaining games of the campaign.
‘I’m just attempting to get myself to my level which I do know I’m able to and that’s all about fitness,’ he said.
‘But there was some good combination play and we’ll just keep constructing on it as a team. There’s more to return.’
On his bond with Bos on the left flank, Sterling added: ‘Good connection. He’s a strong boy with some great qualities going forward with the ball. We just tried to link up very well.’
Though pleased together with his overall display, Sterling appeared to take offence as ESPN’s reporter set free a chuckle when raising a possibility he had squandered within the second half.
‘You shouldn’t be laughing, my guy!’ a visibly unimpressed Sterling fired back.
‘But yeah, it’s one which, I said, [I need to] get the cobwebs off.
‘I had the chance and that’s something, with my standards, I would like to take and that will have been the sport as well.
‘It’s an excellent stepping stone and next one I’ve got to get it behind the online.’
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