--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Playing regular first-team football is a…" description: "\"Playing regular first-team football is a massive carrot as I have been in the reserves for two or three years. I'm used to playing in front of two or t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24e/sean-longstaff-25035_football_playing-regular-first-team-football-is-a_201462.jpg" --- # Playing regular first-team football is a massive carrot as… ![“Playing regular first-team football is a massive carrot as I have been in the reserves for two or three years. I'm used to playing in front of two or three hundred people and now I could be running out in front of 40,000 or 50,000.” quote by Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24e/sean-longstaff-25035_football_playing-regular-first-team-football-is-a_201462.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24e/sean-longstaff-25035_football_playing-regular-first-team-football-is-a_201462.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24e/sean-longstaff-25035_football_playing-regular-first-team-football-is-a_201462.jpg) > “Playing regular first-team football is a massive carrot as I have been in the reserves for two or three years. I'm used to playing in front of two or three hundred people and now I could be running out in front of 40,000 or 50,000.” [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A player describes moving from reserve matches to large stadiums, viewing the larger audience as a motivating reward for his progress. **In simple terms:** Playing before many fans is a big incentive after years in reserves. Key Takeaway Embrace larger platforms as motivation to improve. Themes sports career growth audience motivation Mood inspirational motivational Type sports career psychological When to use this quote - team selection - career planning - mental preparation - fan engagement Key Concepts performance pressure public scrutiny professional development Questions to Reflect On - How does audience size impact player confidence? - What strategies help manage performance anxiety? A Different Perspective Pressure may affect performance; not all thrive under large audiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [The most important thing for me is that I get regular first team action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-kroos/the-most-important-thing-for-me-is-that-i-get-regular-first-team/) [Toni Kroos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-kroos/) > [You look at a club like Chelsea, and you know it won't be easy to get into that team. Sometimes you have to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammy-abraham/you-look-at-a-club-like-chelsea-and-you-know-it-won-t-be-easy-to-get/) [Tammy Abraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammy-abraham/) > [I learnt so much at Coventry - I was playing as a regular at 17, most weeks. And that's something that left me in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-maddison/i-learnt-so-much-at-coventry-i-was-playing-as-a-regular-at-17-most/) [James Maddison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-maddison/) > [I'm trying to keep a good spin on it...But at some point you have to look at a guy like me and ask, 'How…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-salmon/i-m-trying-to-keep-a-good-spin-on-it-but-at-some-point-you-have-to/) [Tim Salmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-salmon/) > [I don't think about competition. I am definitely attracted to not just playing a regular character - I don't know there's any such thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-mulvoy-ten/i-don-t-think-about-competition-i-am-definitely-attracted-to-not-just/) [Ana Mulvoy-Ten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-mulvoy-ten/) > [When you are happy and playing regular football, that can make life a lot easier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-adam/when-you-are-happy-and-playing-regular-football-that-can-make-life-a/) [Charlie Adam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-adam/) > [Just normalising the idea of women playing football is a massive part of what we need to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-bardsley/just-normalising-the-idea-of-women-playing-football-is-a-massive-part/) [Karen Bardsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-bardsley/) > [If we can get Hibs into European football it would be massive for everyone involved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcginn/if-we-can-get-hibs-into-european-football-it-would-be-massive-for/) [John McGinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcginn/) > [ I have never thought of a scenario where international football was not a massive part of our \[England\] game. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-owen/i-have-never-thought-of-a-scenario-where-international-football-was/) [Michael Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-owen/) > [I would have to consider the U.S.A. job if I was approached because it's one of the big nations in world football, with massive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-moyes/i-would-have-to-consider-the-u-s-a-job-if-i-was-approached-because-it/) [David Moyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-moyes/) > [The mentality side of football is massive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-mount/the-mentality-side-of-football-is-massive/) [Mason Mount](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-mount/) > [The physical part of football has always been a massive part of my game so I can cover the ground during games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-henderson/the-physical-part-of-football-has-always-been-a-massive-part-of-my/) [Jordan Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-henderson/) > [I think friendship in football is a massive part of the team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/i-think-friendship-in-football-is-a-massive-part-of-the-team/) [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) > [Everything to me is about team football, and if we keep winning Super Bowl trophies, I'll be fine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-tuck/everything-to-me-is-about-team-football-and-if-we-keep-winning-super/) [Justin Tuck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-tuck/) > [If you are hurting inside, you can't really show it because you want the team to do well because that's part of football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-wright-phillips/if-you-are-hurting-inside-you-can-t-really-show-it-because-you-want/) [Shaun Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-wright-phillips/) ## More by Sean Longstaff > [I am used to just playing football with my mates at Newcastle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/i-am-used-to-just-playing-football-with-my-mates-at-newcastle/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) > [You start going to games when you're younger but you think it's the norm that every football club in the world has that many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/you-start-going-to-games-when-you-re-younger-but-you-think-it-s-the/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) > [Sometimes you can get distracted by figures that are thrown out there and you're doing things you wouldn't normally try to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/sometimes-you-can-get-distracted-by-figures-that-are-thrown-out-there/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) > [I'm lucky to have my uncle there as he has been able to guide me through it a bit so I was not going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/i-m-lucky-to-have-my-uncle-there-as-he-has-been-able-to-guide-me/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) > [I've always wanted to play for Newcastle, and I've only had a little taste of that, so for me, it's about getting fit as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/i-ve-always-wanted-to-play-for-newcastle-and-i-ve-only-had-a-little/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) > [I just get my head down and work on the pitch. Like anybody knows, you are no use to anybody if you aren't fit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/i-just-get-my-head-down-and-work-on-the-pitch-like-anybody-knows-you/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) > [I was 18, I wanted to be a first-year pro.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/i-was-18-i-wanted-to-be-a-first-year-pro/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) > [If the team start picking up results, everything will look more positive and people will forget about the previous manager, as long as we're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/if-the-team-start-picking-up-results-everything-will-look-more/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) > [I speak to Matt Ritchie a lot, he's someone I lean on in the squad. He tends to keep us grounded and he's always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/i-speak-to-matt-ritchie-a-lot-he-s-someone-i-lean-on-in-the-squad-he/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) > [The outside noise is something I try not to listen to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/the-outside-noise-is-something-i-try-not-to-listen-to/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) > [There's not loads of people you can trust, so to have your brother out there alongside you, knowing he's got your back, is special.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/there-s-not-loads-of-people-you-can-trust-so-to-have-your-brother-out/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) > [I wanted to look back and say to those coaches, 'You're wrong, I'll be the one who kicks on and makes it'. Only I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/i-wanted-to-look-back-and-say-to-those-coaches-you-re-wrong-i-ll-be/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) > [I haven't changed, I'm still the same lad who lives at home with my mam, brother and sister.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/i-haven-t-changed-i-m-still-the-same-lad-who-lives-at-home-with-my/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) > [I realised, 'I'm not going to dribble past five payers and score', so for me it was about having something different, and being two-footed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/i-realised-i-m-not-going-to-dribble-past-five-payers-and-score-so-for/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) > [It's been great to play against the top teams in the world, it can only benefit me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/it-s-been-great-to-play-against-the-top-teams-in-the-world-it-can/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) [Explore all 23 Sean Longstaff quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) ## 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": "Playing regular first-team football is a massive carrot as I have been in the reserves for two or three years. 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