Pre-Game Quotes

The game is not won by a pep talk on Saturday. It's won by preparation of your club from Monday until game time. If they're not ready on Saturday, you're not going to get them ready by trying to inspire them with a dog-eat-dog sermon on that day.

I don't know why, but I don't really get too nervous before games or practices or whatever.

It's not superstition, but I do everything exactly the same on game days. I'm a creature of habit. I eat the same breakfast, and then I drive the same way to practice. Then I come back and eat the same exact same lunch before every game.

I have the same routine every game day, when it comes to waking up and what I do at the hotel and stuff, but nothing crazy.

The regular season, it's kind of like a rehearsal. That's the way I look at it.

I don't have many superstitions, but I do have a few things I like to do out of routine and habit before a game.

I'm more of a player that listens and focuses on myself in the dressing room; I don't talk much before the matches.

Hard work doesn't start during the game. Hard work starts the night before.

In the dressing room before kick off, Arsene won't say a lot.

We must condition the players. They need to get into the right frame of mind in the hours leading up the game.

It's the preparation that's my favourite part of the process.

We're playing the Superbowl this year, we're opening up before the coins drop.

I can be very emotional, so when it's the build-up to a game I enjoy that side of trying to help push the team and get them fired up.

I know, when I'm walking out on the court before for the game, it's like, man, if you wanna compete, here it is. It's coming. That's something I really enjoy.

In the dressing room, I always put on my right shoe first. Same thing for my right wristband.

As a player, I had no idea whatsoever about getting a team ready for a game, what it entails.

The actual fights themselves are very demanding. You don't want to drain yourself. But it pumps you up, gets you in the zone. It's a good way of getting you into the zone for the scene.

The music that they play at White Hart Lane before you walk out is just... I absolutely love it. I think it's from Star Wars.

I used to have this lucky rock and I used to always have to rub it three times before I competed.

I'm probably the guy who keeps it loose around the room and tries to joke around with guys before the game, keeping things funny.

Okay, men,” he said. “And women,” said Chaser Angelina Johnson. “And women,” Wood agreed. “This is it.” “The big one,” said Fred Weasley. “The one we’ve all been waiting for,” said George. “We know Oliver’s speech by heart,” Fred told Harry, “we were on the team last year.” “Shut up, you two,” said Wood. “This is the best team Gryffindor’s had in years. We’re going to win. I know it.” He glared at them all as if to say, “Or else.” “Right. It’s time. Good luck, all of you.

A lot of players are straight-faced and serious; some are the opposite. It's like that until about 10 minutes before kick-off and I am in the zone. Then there is no more joking about.

I try to get there three hours before the game, talk with the ushers and the security guards, the coaches and the fans.