Gus Poyet In Quotes

Poyet on encouraging his players to play the ball

It's well known in England that when the ball is going forward every centre-half in the division loves to head it as high and as long as possible back down the pitch.

We do that if it's a 50-50 ball. But if we are on our own, I tell them to bring the ball down, don't just give it away.

That doesn't mean we never play the ball long. It's not like we only pass the ball. But we have made a big change.

Poyet on the use of a (Delap's) long throw

It's fair. It's a way of getting some advantage. If I had the lad with me, I would use him, but not all the time.

If you use it at the right time, it's great. Roberto Carlos had a long throw but did you see him sending every throw into the box? No.

Poyet on the basics

People only look at the way we pass the ball and the way we take risks.

But our success is also because of the way we defend. We are the best team in defending. It's not sexy, like "Let's play fantastic flickies and one-twos and forget about the rest." No, no. First play the basics, which means you need to defend well.

Gus Poyet on himself

My mind is always on the football

Poyet on educating young players

Half the team (at Tottenham) didn't know much about football and you had to tell them everything

When I was at Chelsea, we spoke about football all the time, but it was different at Tottenham. Some of the players have things too easy. They have the best cars by the age of 21, whereas when I was playing we had to wait until we were 30.

Poyet on his philosophy

I understand the game one way - the game is played with one football, so you need to use it.

Poyet on transforming Brighton's style of football

We explain everything before working on it and trying to saturate it.

When I arrived, the team was very direct. They'd kick it for the sake of kicking it.

Now, I've shown them when to kick the ball, and when to attack with it. We went from one style of playing to the other, but that gives us balance, and now we are in great shape.

In the beginning it was difficult for the players. When they were tired, they'd still kick it in the sky. But slowly, we changed that reaction, and now the players are used to it - the fans too.

Poyet on changing fans' mentality

If the fans want Brighton to change our style of play when we're top, they need another manager.

The team will play the way I want them to play: it's my team and my decision. If somebody starts panicking and kicking long because the fans shout, he's going to be out of the team.

Poyet on if fan reaction could influence his tactics

There are a few fans who don't understand the way we play

They've been watching football here for years and want the ball put forward as soon as possible. But it's impossible to please every single person. So I say, when it comes to styles, there is no right or wrong - some like it one way, some like it the other.

I know which I prefer.

Poyet on the need for tactical flexibility

I'm always watching to see if the tactics are working, and if they're not, I'll react. You plan for games by expecting the opposition to play one way: if they are playing a totally different way, you need to adapt straight away.

We never go to three at the back or five though because English defenders are used to four. How I set out the rest of the team depends on what I believe is the best way to win.

Poyet on the concept of a 'Plan B'

But you know the famous Plan B in England? And the fans, they always blame the manager for not having a Plan B? Well, we have plenty of plans. The problem is, we managers are convinced that the way we start is always the best.

Poyet on his managerial ambitions

I want to manage at the highest level and would love to manage Chelsea or Arsenal. Why not?

Poyet on facing top teams

What I don't want is to change my principles and, because we are playing Arsenal, try to be a totally different team and lose anyway.

Poyet on Suarez race row

If you are racist, you are against someone who is not like you. Because you are from another country, another continent, or because of the colour of your skin, for me it's the same. And in football they do it to make us react, to go crazy, so we deal with that. Patrice Evra should deal with that. Suarez is a lovely guy, and 100 per cent not a racist. I have texted him to support him and to say I'm available if he needs me."

In Uruguay it ['negrito'] is a nickname for someone whose skin is darker than the rest. It is not offensive. Such people are part of our society. We will defend them, go to war with them, share everything with them, and at the same time use that word. But I do understand that in England the word is used differently, so we have to pay attention how we use it. We need to adapt. Do we as foreigners need to adapt more to England than England to us? Yes, of course. That's common sense. I know things Luis Suarez does not know because I have been here 14 years. So let's use common sense and give the kid a chance.

Poyet clarifying his stance

I didn't, at any time, defend Suarez against Evra. I will never do that because I am always the first one against racism and discrimination. I said that Suarez was using a word we use in Uruguay which is natural. He was not offensive at any time because I know how he used the word.

What I asked for was comprehension to understand that Suarez was here only for three or four months. Even if you have to punish him, understand and give him a chance.

Poyet (allegedly) on 'poodunnit?'

When Crystal Palace players and staff arrived to the Amex and went into their dressing room, they found themselves in a very uncomfortable situation.

For some reason, someone had access to the away dressing room and done something terrible, trying to upset everyone related to Palace. To say it in clear English, someone had a 'poo' all outside the toilets, over and around the toilets.

Poyet (allegedly) on paper clappers at the Amex

Would someone like to admit it was their idea to hand out stupid pieces of noise-making paper?

I am not for one minute blaming the result on this, but it added only negative vibes to the proceedings.

Whoever you are, you let the club down very badly.

Poyet is a BIG fan of Liam Bridcutt

If I was coach of Real Madrid I would take him because he deserves to go to the highest level.

As a holding midfielder, there is no better player in the division. So he is quite expensive.

The best thing about Liam is that he understands me to an incredible level. The way he understands what I want from him is spectacular.

Harry Redknapp on Poyet's Brighton

I must point out one non-Brit who has simply blown me away with his approach and that's Brighton's Gus Poyet.

I would recommend any young coach to go to see Gus's team in action. Brighton play with a verve and passion that sees them pass the ball brilliantly and effectively.

Vicente on Gus Poyet

He is the worst person I've come across in football.

The 31-year-old told the Argus: "For me he is a selfish person, very egocentric. I say that because it's how I feel.

I won't talk badly about my team-mates, because they have been fantastic with me. What I think is unacceptable is that the manager makes fun of his players. I've seen things here that I have never seen in my career. If you miss with a shot in training, he makes fun. For me, that is unacceptable in football.

Wayne Bridge strongly disagrees

Gus has revitalised my love for football. He got me to focus and enjoy my football. He is a top-class manager both tactically and on the man-management side, one of the best I have worked with.

And so does Steve Harper

He was very impressive. He will want Sunderland to play total football, playing out from the back, beginning with the goalkeeper, because he encourages his players to go out and express themselves.

He wasn't scared to let players know where they were going wrong or when they weren't doing what he expected of them, but he was approachable and friendly and tactically astute with it.

He is a likeable man. Sunderland's players will like working with him.

I could tell from the start he was destined to go on and do a big job in the Premier League.

The North East can chew managers up sometimes, but I think he's got the character to do well.

It certainly won't faze him.