Glenn Murray Quotes

The shoot-and-chase approach had become big in hockey. Teams would come up to the blue line and shoot the puck around our boards deep in our zone, then swarm in after it forechecking, trying to regain possession.

I've always stuck my arms behind my back anyway when trying to block a shot in the penalty area.

In Spain, you get seven clear chances a game to receive the ball and shoot. In Italy, you get very few clear balls, and you have to fight everyone to score; that makes you improve and develop.

When there's pressure on the ball, you can go man-to-man on your striker; you've got the advantage because the ball pressure means it'll be a difficult pass to play.

You're always supposed to follow-up any cross or whatever towards the goalkeeper.

I try to get early contact and keep it on the ground. I like to keep the ball down as much as I can.

As a young centre-back at Ajax, I played with Wim Jansen, and of course you learn a huge amount. I made some mistakes, because we Dutchmen want to solve situations by playing football. So we look at the ball, try to judge where it will come.

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso was always bemused by our enthusiasm for tackling, because he saw it as the last resort.

I'm a striker, and I can only score if the ball gets to me.

Sometimes you can get sloppy and control the ball right at your feet, and that gives the defenders a chance.

I feel like I've improved immensely in terms of my defending, not only in one-versus-ones but also with my positioning.

In hockey, sometimes a shift can go for a minute and a half, full out.

I try to control my box. I always think the goalkeeper has to be the chief of the box: it's his area, and he has to defend it.

It's always tough to play against teams that bunker or 'park the bus' inside the 18-yard box, but we always try to focus on our game and how we can overcome the obstacles that the game presents to continue to get better and score goals.

You can't play man to man against Liverpool and out-pass them. You have to keep your shape and stop them.

In England and Germany, perhaps, there is more of a focus on the physical side of the game, in breaking down the opposition's play, especially against the lower placed sides.

Hockey is a difficult and skill-based game.

In Italy, they are incredibly competitive. It may be that their game is more defensive, but they defend so well; here in Germany, there is more speed and intensity. In England, they are more direct, very box-to-box.

First of all, I am and I remain a goalkeeper, but I try to be involved as much as I can and to help the defenders. I try to read dangerous situations in advance.

It's just part of me, playing the puck.

In the defensive midfield position, the player needs to give balance to the team and try to control the game. That's exactly what I try to do.

I think a goalkeeper has to participate at the back of the defence and come off the line to play.

United are capable of setting up a low block and making it difficult, but they're also capable of coming out and pressing high.

Tactically, Italians are very strong. They are a lot into tactics: how to defend, when you lose the ball, where will you be?

The differences between the top teams in Euro 2000 are so minimal that I think you have to be very clever in defence and stop your opponents getting opportunities.