player development quotes

Ordinarily, players fine-tune their match-fitness during the pre-season.

Talking to a player helps, but in our sport the majority of learning happens from watching another player. You pick up things like being punctual, being nice to everyone, making sure you give your 100 per cent even in training.

Bad performances can happen and are not that serious – even with new players. You can’t, say, sell him, get a new one.

If I do the right things on and off the field that’s how a player is going to learn.

Whoever the coach is, my job is to talk to him, understand him and be a better player under him and give my best.

Playing in MLS was a great experience. It has boosted my confidence and I feel I have matured as a player.

When I signed up for BFC, then-coach Ashley Westwood wanted me to play on the left as an attacking midfielder. I was not sure initially but I believed in his vision. For the first six-seven games, I didn’t really know what I was doing. I was like a headless chicken. But he kept backing me.

I’m not comparing myself with anyone, but I am very confident about my captaincy, as I have already led India and in the IPL also. I have confidence I can bring out each player’s ability fully and also give them a lot of confidence… I would like to stick to what I know best and what I have confidence in.