--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I used to track back from midfield but I…" description: "\"I used to track back from midfield but I never saw myself as a defender. Dave Jones thought I could do the job and then Glenn Hoddle after that. He sho..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d3/wayne-bridge-6302_ability_i-used-to-track-back-from-midfield-but-i_506100.jpg" --- # I used to track back from midfield but I never saw myself… ![“I used to track back from midfield but I never saw myself as a defender. Dave Jones thought I could do the job and then Glenn Hoddle after that. He showed a lot of faith in me and told me, even back then, that I had the ability to play for England.” quote by Wayne Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d3/wayne-bridge-6302_ability_i-used-to-track-back-from-midfield-but-i_506100.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d3/wayne-bridge-6302_ability_i-used-to-track-back-from-midfield-but-i_506100.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d3/wayne-bridge-6302_ability_i-used-to-track-back-from-midfield-but-i_506100.jpg) > “I used to track back from midfield but I never saw myself as a defender. Dave Jones thought I could do the job and then Glenn Hoddle after that. He showed a lot of faith in me and told me, even back then, that I had the ability to play for England.” [Wayne Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-bridge/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A defender's career can be shaped by mentors who see potential beyond self‑perception. **In simple terms:** Mentors can change your path. Key Takeaway Seek and trust guidance. Themes mentorship self‑belief career development Mood reflective inspirational Type biographical career When to use this quote - sports - career planning - personal growth Key Concepts talent identification confidence building Questions to Reflect On - Who believes in you? - How can you self‑advocate? A Different Perspective Overreliance on others may limit self‑initiative. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) ## Related quotes > [Glenn Hoddle is probably one of the best technical coaches in the country. Top, top guy. I think he got the England job too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-adams/glenn-hoddle-is-probably-one-of-the-best-technical-coaches-in-the/) [Tony Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-adams/) > [Glenn Hoddle was probably the unfunniest man I have ever known](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-cascarino/glenn-hoddle-was-probably-the-unfunniest-man-i-have-ever-known/) [Tony Cascarino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-cascarino/) > [I hear Glenn Hoddle has found God. That must have been one hell of a pass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-davies/i-hear-glenn-hoddle-has-found-god-that-must-have-been-one-hell-of-a/) Bob Davies > [If Glenn Hoddle had been any other nationality, he would have had 70 or 80 caps for England.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barnes/if-glenn-hoddle-had-been-any-other-nationality-he-would-have-had-70/) [John Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barnes/) > [Glenn Hoddle hasn't been the Hoddle we know. Neither has Bryan Robson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-greenwood/glenn-hoddle-hasn-t-been-the-hoddle-we-know-neither-has-bryan-robson/) [Ron Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-greenwood/) > [When I was growing up, Tottenham were many people's second team - with Glenn Hoddle, Ossie Ardiles and Steve Archibald helping them to play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-jordan/when-i-was-growing-up-tottenham-were-many-people-s-second-team-with/) [Simon Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-jordan/) > [At Newcastle, I was playing in the No 10 position but also in midfield as a left winger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georginio-wijnaldum/at-newcastle-i-was-playing-in-the-no-10-position-but-also-in-midfield/) [Georginio Wijnaldum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georginio-wijnaldum/) > [In midfield, you are everywhere, you are part of everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodri/in-midfield-you-are-everywhere-you-are-part-of-everything/) [Rodri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodri/) > [Playing in the midfield, you have to be mentally quick and be intelligent in how you position yourself and get the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-partey/playing-in-the-midfield-you-have-to-be-mentally-quick-and-be/) [Thomas Partey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-partey/) > [I've stepped into midfield and I'm enjoying that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-white/i-ve-stepped-into-midfield-and-i-m-enjoying-that/) [Ben White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-white/) > [At Rennes, I played more down the left wing, but also down the right and sometimes in midfield. At Dortmund, it was the same:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ousmane-dembele/at-rennes-i-played-more-down-the-left-wing-but-also-down-the-right/) [Ousmane Dembele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ousmane-dembele/) > [Yeah, people did say I play like Vieira. I like going forward from midfield.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-wanyama/yeah-people-did-say-i-play-like-vieira-i-like-going-forward-from/) [Victor Wanyama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-wanyama/) > [Normally when you look at the Ballon d'Or winners, they're either attacking midfield players or centre-forwards. They are goalscorers and eye-catching players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barnes/normally-when-you-look-at-the-ballon-d-or-winners-they-re-either/) [John Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barnes/) > [If you have a good midfield, you have a good team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/casemiro/if-you-have-a-good-midfield-you-have-a-good-team/) [Casemiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/casemiro/) > [Sometimes in midfield, it's nice because you do get a little bit more of the ball, and maybe out wide you rely on people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/sometimes-in-midfield-it-s-nice-because-you-do-get-a-little-bit-more/) [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) ## More by Wayne Bridge > [There's nothing wrong with crying and letting it out, sometimes it is the best way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-bridge/there-s-nothing-wrong-with-crying-and-letting-it-out-sometimes-it-is/) [Wayne Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-bridge/) > [I got on really well with Shaun Wright-Phillips and Micah Richards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-bridge/i-got-on-really-well-with-shaun-wright-phillips-and-micah-richards/) [Wayne Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-bridge/) > [Avram is a character. Sitting in team meetings, you realise what a positive person and manager he is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-bridge/avram-is-a-character-sitting-in-team-meetings-you-realise-what-a/) [Wayne Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-bridge/) > [A long-term manager is a better option than a short-term one, but you've got to get the right man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-bridge/a-long-term-manager-is-a-better-option-than-a-short-term-one-but-you/) [Wayne Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-bridge/) > [I've never caused trouble, I'm not that kind of character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-bridge/i-ve-never-caused-trouble-i-m-not-that-kind-of-character/) [Wayne Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-bridge/) > [My team-mates think I'm a bit of a gym monkey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-bridge/my-team-mates-think-i-m-a-bit-of-a-gym-monkey/) [Wayne Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-bridge/) > [A major part of being successful is having a group of players who can provide leadership.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-bridge/a-major-part-of-being-successful-is-having-a-group-of-players-who-can/) [Wayne Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-bridge/) > [I've been trying to talk Frankie into doing 'I'm A Celebrity,' because I want a holiday in Australia again! She should do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-bridge/i-ve-been-trying-to-talk-frankie-into-doing-i-m-a-celebrity-because-i/) [Wayne Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-bridge/) > [Solo parenting is harder than Premier football. It's mentally tough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-bridge/solo-parenting-is-harder-than-premier-football-it-s-mentally-tough/) [Wayne Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-bridge/) > [It has always been an honour to play for England.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-bridge/it-has-always-been-an-honour-to-play-for-england/) [Wayne Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-bridge/) > [I like a late-night one but my missus isn't as keen - she likes a bit earlier, and she likes to go to bed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-bridge/i-like-a-late-night-one-but-my-missus-isn-t-as-keen-she-likes-a-bit/) [Wayne Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-bridge/) > [One thing I have noticed about having kids, is all you do is worry about them. Worry how they're going to do in life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-bridge/one-thing-i-have-noticed-about-having-kids-is-all-you-do-is-worry/) [Wayne Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-bridge/) > [When I was at Chelsea I thought I played well even when Ashley Cole was there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-bridge/when-i-was-at-chelsea-i-thought-i-played-well-even-when-ashley-cole/) [Wayne Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-bridge/) > [Kante is just like having another Makelele back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-bridge/kante-is-just-like-having-another-makelele-back/) [Wayne Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-bridge/) > [I don't go around telling people who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-bridge/i-don-t-go-around-telling-people-who-i-am/) [Wayne Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-bridge/) [Explore all 99 Wayne Bridge quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-bridge/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I used to track back from midfield but I never saw myself as a defender. 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