--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To say we have to play a certain way, or…" description: "\"To say we have to play a certain way, or try to, every game is great in theory, but depending what players you have got you have to play to their stren..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/401/sam-allardyce-4406_football_to-say-we-have-to-play-a-certain-way-or_671254.jpg" --- # To say we have to play a certain way, or try to, every… ![“To say we have to play a certain way, or try to, every game is great in theory, but depending what players you have got you have to play to their strengths and cover up their weaknesses.” quote by Sam Allardyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/401/sam-allardyce-4406_football_to-say-we-have-to-play-a-certain-way-or_671254.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/401/sam-allardyce-4406_football_to-say-we-have-to-play-a-certain-way-or_671254.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/401/sam-allardyce-4406_football_to-say-we-have-to-play-a-certain-way-or_671254.jpg) > “To say we have to play a certain way, or try to, every game is great in theory, but depending what players you have got you have to play to their strengths and cover up their weaknesses.” [Sam Allardyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-allardyce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Tactics must fit player strengths; rigid strategies fail when mismatched with personnel. **In simple terms:** Adapt tactics to your team's abilities. Key Takeaway Tailor game plans to player strengths. Themes strategy adaptability team dynamics Mood pragmatic analytical Type strategic inspirational When to use this quote - football coaching - team building - match preparation Key Concepts player assessment flexible tactics Questions to Reflect On - How to identify core strengths quickly? - When to stick to a plan despite mismatches? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on flexibility may cause inconsistency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/game/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Strengths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strengths/) [Weaknesses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weaknesses/) ## Related quotes > [Play only to your strengths always and never to your weaknesses,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/play-only-to-your-strengths-always-and-never-to-your-weaknesses/) Senoraroy > [Every player is different. And you want them to play to their strengths, and cover up their weaknesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-thibodeau/every-player-is-different-and-you-want-them-to-play-to-their/) [Tom Thibodeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-thibodeau/) > [Jamming - which follows rules but not individual notes - gives you a different result each time, depending upon the players and the conditions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/jamming-which-follows-rules-but-not-individual-notes-gives-you-a/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [One of the things you do in a band is the more you stay together, the more you play to your strengths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-finn/one-of-the-things-you-do-in-a-band-is-the-more-you-stay-together-the/) [Craig Finn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-finn/) > [Whoever you play with you try and play to their strengths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-greenwood/whoever-you-play-with-you-try-and-play-to-their-strengths/) [Alex Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-greenwood/) > [If you worry about the batsmen or their stature, then you cannot play to your strengths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuzvendra-chahal/if-you-worry-about-the-batsmen-or-their-stature-then-you-cannot-play/) [Yuzvendra Chahal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuzvendra-chahal/) > [You can learn from others but you have to be yourself. You can't start out with the idea that you have to copy others,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angelos-postecoglou/you-can-learn-from-others-but-you-have-to-be-yourself-you-can-t-start/) [Angelos Postecoglou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angelos-postecoglou/) > [The only way you're going to get caps is by playing. I've played all the way through the age groups, and that was my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-pickford/the-only-way-you-re-going-to-get-caps-is-by-playing-i-ve-played-all/) [Jordan Pickford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-pickford/) > [Individually we all have to play to our strengths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-root/individually-we-all-have-to-play-to-our-strengths/) [Joe Root](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-root/) > [Don't try to be anyone else. Don't try to emulate what someone is doing. Play to your strengths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anjelah-johnson/don-t-try-to-be-anyone-else-don-t-try-to-emulate-what-someone-is/) [Anjelah Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anjelah-johnson/) > [“If you play to your strengths, you'll turn in a superior performance. Just be yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuki-kure/if-you-play-to-your-strengths-you-ll-turn-in-a-superior-performance/) [Yuki Kure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuki-kure/) > [I just need to play to my strengths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kei-nishikori/i-just-need-to-play-to-my-strengths/) [Kei Nishikori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kei-nishikori/) > [“ Play to your strengths. ” “I haven’t got any,” said Harry, before he could stop himself. “Excuse me,” growled Moody, “you’ve got strengths…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/play-to-your-strengths-i-haven-t-got-any-said-harry-before-he-could/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [In tournament cricket, with a new opponent each game, I think you actually need to play to your own strengths more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moeen-ali/in-tournament-cricket-with-a-new-opponent-each-game-i-think-you/) [Moeen Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moeen-ali/) > [Lonzo to me is as good as an advanced passer as there is. In order to play to his strengths, we've got to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-donovan/lonzo-to-me-is-as-good-as-an-advanced-passer-as-there-is-in-order-to-2/) [Billy Donovan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-donovan/) ## More by Sam Allardyce > [I think accepting an instruction is part of a player's responsibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-allardyce/i-think-accepting-an-instruction-is-part-of-a-player-s-responsibility/) [Sam Allardyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-allardyce/) > [Jay Jay Okocha. On and off the field he was the captain you looked for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-allardyce/jay-jay-okocha-on-and-off-the-field-he-was-the-captain-you-looked-for/) [Sam Allardyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-allardyce/) > [No matter what people say outside of football, we don't work for money, we work for the love of the game and the money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-allardyce/no-matter-what-people-say-outside-of-football-we-don-t-work-for-money/) [Sam Allardyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-allardyce/) > [There is a lot of pressure at first when you first take over a club that's struggling but you want to go and do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-allardyce/there-is-a-lot-of-pressure-at-first-when-you-first-take-over-a-club/) [Sam Allardyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-allardyce/) > [Football today means players stay less now than ever before and you have to accept that. As a manager, a big part of your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-allardyce/football-today-means-players-stay-less-now-than-ever-before-and-you/) [Sam Allardyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-allardyce/) > [My time at Bolton was fantastic. I didn't want to go. It's a fantastic stadium with fantastic fans, but I want to disappoint them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-allardyce/my-time-at-bolton-was-fantastic-i-didn-t-want-to-go-it-s-a-fantastic/) [Sam Allardyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-allardyce/) > [I had four great years at West Ham. People will always refer to the difficulties at certain times, but you get those everywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-allardyce/i-had-four-great-years-at-west-ham-people-will-always-refer-to-the/) [Sam Allardyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-allardyce/) > [People seem to expect when that happens, for players to be brought in that are so much better than the ones that have left.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-allardyce/people-seem-to-expect-when-that-happens-for-players-to-be-brought-in/) [Sam Allardyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-allardyce/) > [What is entertainment? Entertainment is the master of defence in Europe - Simeone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-allardyce/what-is-entertainment-entertainment-is-the-master-of-defence-in/) [Sam Allardyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-allardyce/) > [My management skills are more suited to developing teams to be better than what they were before, and not just about avoiding relegation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-allardyce/my-management-skills-are-more-suited-to-developing-teams-to-be-better/) [Sam Allardyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-allardyce/) > [It's always a good time to play against a team when they come back from Europe, whether it's the Europa League or Champions League.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-allardyce/it-s-always-a-good-time-to-play-against-a-team-when-they-come-back/) [Sam Allardyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-allardyce/) > [I have always said that managers stay in a job when they win football matches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-allardyce/i-have-always-said-that-managers-stay-in-a-job-when-they-win-football/) [Sam Allardyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-allardyce/) > [You cannot just force 'the only way to play is this way' in this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-allardyce/you-cannot-just-force-the-only-way-to-play-is-this-way-in-this-country/) [Sam Allardyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-allardyce/) > [Football is a worldwide business consortium and to satisfy that best you need to find the best players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-allardyce/football-is-a-worldwide-business-consortium-and-to-satisfy-that-best/) [Sam Allardyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-allardyce/) > [If I got sacked because my results weren't good enough at Everton, I accept it, but getting sacked when they finish eighth, it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-allardyce/if-i-got-sacked-because-my-results-weren-t-good-enough-at-everton-i/) [Sam Allardyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-allardyce/) [Explore all 111 Sam Allardyce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-allardyce/) ## More Football quotes > [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. So I went to Belgium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorgan-hazard/when-i-came-to-chelsea-it-was-clear-that-like-many-other-players-i/) [Thorgan Hazard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorgan-hazard/) > [If you take your eye off the ball or lose focus for even a minute you can lose a game against any team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felipe-anderson/if-you-take-your-eye-off-the-ball-or-lose-focus-for-even-a-minute-you/) [Felipe Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felipe-anderson/) > [There are guys who play lacrosse, and there are lacrosse players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-mundorf/there-are-guys-who-play-lacrosse-and-there-are-lacrosse-players/) Brendan Mundorf > [Giggs is the realest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-kaluuya/giggs-is-the-realest/) [Daniel Kaluuya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-kaluuya/) > [You get a new coach; you do things a little differently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archie-manning/you-get-a-new-coach-you-do-things-a-little-differently/) [Archie Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archie-manning/) > [You gotta have a little kid in you to play football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-edwards/you-gotta-have-a-little-kid-in-you-to-play-football/) [Herman Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-edwards/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [My team mates are fundamental for my characteristics, if they send in crosses I can play inside the area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/filippo-inzaghi/my-team-mates-are-fundamental-for-my-characteristics-if-they-send-in/) [Filippo Inzaghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/filippo-inzaghi/) > [The Copa del Rey is a different competition. It is football in its purest form and is different from the continuity of the league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-laudrup/the-copa-del-rey-is-a-different-competition-it-is-football-in-its/) [Michael Laudrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-laudrup/) > [“Wild card, got it," Duncan said. "Just like in Crazy Eights. I can be a diamond; I can be a spade. Whatever you need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-healy/wild-card-got-it-duncan-said-just-like-in-crazy-eights-i-can-be-a/) [Christopher Healy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-healy/) > [Leo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden. Every year, you look at their numbers - score goals, assists, minutes - to see they play very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-eden-every-year-you-look-at-their/) [Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/) > [It's a lot harder to play football when you haven't got the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gray/it-s-a-lot-harder-to-play-football-when-you-haven-t-got-the-ball/) [Andy Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gray/) > [I just enjoy winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-bogaerts/i-just-enjoy-winning/) [Xander Bogaerts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-bogaerts/) > [I think you can get, as a player, stuck in the mindset of trying too hard to prove yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-rodman/i-think-you-can-get-as-a-player-stuck-in-the-mindset-of-trying-too/) [Trinity Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trinity-rodman/) > [We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/we-cannot-change-the-cards-we-are-dealt-just-how-we-play-the-hand/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) [Browse all 59,646 Football quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "To say we have to play a certain way, or try to, every game is great in theory, but depending what players you have got you have to play to their strengths and cover up their weaknesses.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sam Allardyce" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-allardyce/to-say-we-have-to-play-a-certain-way-or-try-to-every-game-is-great-in/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Football" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-allardyce/to-say-we-have-to-play-a-certain-way-or-try-to-every-game-is-great-in/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/401/sam-allardyce-4406_football_to-say-we-have-to-play-a-certain-way-or_671254.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/401/sam-allardyce-4406_football_to-say-we-have-to-play-a-certain-way-or_671254.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/401/sam-allardyce-4406_football_to-say-we-have-to-play-a-certain-way-or_671254.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“To say we have to play a certain way, or try to, every game is great in theory, but depending what players…” — Sam Allardyce", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Sam Allardyce", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-allardyce/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "To say we have to play...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-allardyce/to-say-we-have-to-play-a-certain-way-or-try-to-every-game-is-great-in/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-allardyce/to-say-we-have-to-play-a-certain-way-or-try-to-every-game-is-great-in/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```