Show Transcript
Episode 1 – Jack Wilshere: Maximising Your Potential

SPEAKERS Joe Partington, Jack Wilshere Joe Partington 00:32 Welcome to leave no doubt, a podcast brought to you by perform that explores all areas of performance within football. I'm Joe Partington. Throughout this series I'll be talking with leading practitioners and athletes about their approach of leaving nothing to chance when it comes to performance within football. In today's episode, I'll be talking to Jack Wilshere X arsenal, current AFC Bournemouth midfielder about his experiences and how hopefully they can help you take your game to the next level. After a 10 year Arsenal career in which he was informed part of two FA Cup wins, they can almost 200 appearances, including matters and much performances in the Champions League. He spent a couple of seasons with West Ham and is now currently a big part of AFC Bournemouth team trying to get back to formulate a big plan for England during his career. So he has 34 inch gaps that include appearances, but the Euro finals and World Cup finals, a conversation I'm really looking forward to getting in. So we all know Jack Wilshere and the level of talent that he has, in my opinion, one of England's most talented players, getting an insight into his experiences will be valuable for all of us. So thank you, Jack, for joining me. Appreciate it, mate. And so to start us off, where do you think talent ranks in the attributes needed to be successful as a footballer? And how important was that Jack Wilshere 01:55 for you? It's funny you say that, actually, because I've been having this conversation quite a lot recently, whether you're born with talent, and that's all you need. Or you, you learn it as you go along. And in my opinion, I think talent plays a big part. I also think that if you have that talent, you have to work as hard as as anyone has to. But I do think that talent plays a big part. Yeah. Joe Partington 02:28 So as your opinion on on being born with talent, or whether you grow into it change over time, Jack Wilshere 02:34 or I just think about, I look at my children now. When I was a kid and the boys I played with when I was a kid. And look, I mean, at the time when I was growing up and playing, I never thought that I was anything different to anyone having conversations with my dad and other people, they said that they could see something different, but I do, I do think that you're born with something, and then you have to work it of course you have to work it and if you don't work, it's not just going to happen. You have to keep working. And of course you're going to have weaknesses within that talent that you have to work on in trying to improve but I do think yeah, that you're born with something. Joe Partington 03:19 How old were you? Were you when you realised you had to work hard, obviously as well as being talented. Jack Wilshere 03:27 Um, you know, I was just one of them kids who love football, I think about my kids now and and whether they love football as much as I did, and probably not, I mean time to change of course, there's all kinds of things they can do now which we can do when we were younger. It was we used to go out and have a ball and that was it. And so I remember from a young young age I think it always thinking I need to work hard and coming from I was lucky enough to come through a good Academy but at the same time, there was still I felt a lot of pressure you know, we used to get to year to year sort of deals we at 1214 16 I remember all the time coming up to to the end of the two years thinking how they're going to sign me on again and I need to work hard I need to improve on this. So I was pretty young when I realised that I had to work on a lot Joe Partington 04:17 of people were probably expecting that your journey in youth football was you know he just went step by step straightaway successful is talking about being feeling some sort of pressure as as the end of these two year deals came along with the coaches giving you feedback as in that made you feel like you were successful at that age or did you question it? Jack Wilshere 04:39 Yeah, there's an I'm the first admit I was lucky to come for good Academy asked me, you know, we had everything we had the facilities we were able to go abroad from a young age to play against the best teams in Barcelona. You've a team's like that. And so I mean, just when I started at Luton Town and 90 years old, went to hospital and had had the best facility. So yeah. But the coaches being as good as they were, I still put pressure on myself because I knew where I wanted to go, especially when I got a little bit older and a lot 1415. And I'm looking at the first aim and Fabregas played when he was 16. So that was something that I just wanted to do. And I felt like I could do it. And I was given the best opportunity because of the facilities and the coaches and everything. But same time, I always put pressure on myself, Joe Partington 05:31 you mentioned your, your dad, telling you that he saw something in you that was, you know, a bit better than the other guys that you were playing against. Did the coaches make you feel that way as well? Or were you just, you know, you just were there and you felt good. And that was that. Jack Wilshere 05:46 And the coaches never made me feel like that. And, and to be honest, my dad didn't make me feel like that, when I was at age is only since getting old and having conversations with him. And, you know, probably says, since I've had kids, and, you know, watching them and thinking and watching them against our boys their age and thinking now, they got something different. And that's what my dad said, Now, I could tell five or six, you, you, you had something different and but the coaches that asked me never really never really made me feel like that. I mean, if if one, I mean, growing up, I used to play off a lot. And there could be one or two, from my age group that paid off. And if I think about it now, then probably I was pushed a little bit more than maybe some others. But at the time, I just thought that, you know, they need a few numbers, and I'm one of them going up. And so not never really the coaches never really made me feel any different to anyone else. Joe Partington 06:46 The I've heard you speak about your you know your relationship with your parents, and that they didn't really put any pressure on you to play when you're a kid. And that sort of came from within you. But to see fabric as playing at 16 years old, and for that to be, you know, an ambition of yours, especially now where you know, he's watch 16 year olds playing football, and they're a long way away from from being in a first team environment. How did you manage to build that opinion, or that ambition from such a young age to want to do Jack Wilshere 07:15 that? I just had that drive in me, I moved into digs when I was 14. So all I knew was being around my teammates. And that age, especially Arsenal would be an age where they get a lot of players in from board, you know, the best players. We got a midfielder from from Barcelona, who was my age, we had a another midfielder from Italy, who was my age, and I was just always thinking, I need to be better than them because they've been brought in. And that's the way that the bill is you know that if someone gets brought in for a bit of money, then they can be pushed a little bit more than you. So I had that in me from a young age to think I need to be better than him whenever went on the pitch. And to be fair, I have to be thankful to the coaching staff that are asked no and the manager and in awesome Venga. He saw something in me and, and he pushed me from a young age, and gave me that opportunity. And I spoke about that before having that opportunity is key. I mean, my first my first real season in the first team came because there was nothing there was six or seven midfielders injured in the first game and and then yeah, when you get opportunity, you have to take it up. Without them injuries, I probably wouldn't have got that start it was at Anfield away? I definitely wouldn't got that start. And yeah, I mean, it was down to me to take the opportunity. But you have to be given that chance first. Joe Partington 08:37 been involved in first team training sessions that 15 is, you know, is pretty unique, especially at that sort of level. Did that change your approach to what you were doing at the time? Did you remember what you were doing in training on a daily basis that did that experience change Jack Wilshere 08:53 that? Well remember, there being a lot of pressure, when you know, cuz you could come in one morning and and the team manager will say to the first team need you today. And I remember feeling a lot of pressure. And I remember also, well, I wasn't the only one who would go over there and some players would go over there and crumble and then they wouldn't be asked to go back over for six months. So like there was players of similar ability to me, but I think I was better at taking my opportunity when it came with that being training and, you know, making pressure not just going over there and thinking that I need to get through this actually make an impression. You know, making sure the manager goes when things are you know, Jackie is good. He's good enough. He might be 15 but he's not that far away. Joe Partington 09:40 Young kids probably obviously Aspire when they're in the youth team to train and to be involved with the first thing but we all know what it's like when you when you're actually told you're going to be involved to get nervous like it's you know, he's so anxious. What do you think it is about you and for obviously for young kids listening to this that allowed you to deal with that better than then like I say, some of the other people that went over there and crumbled. Jack Wilshere 10:06 Yeah, I think from a young age, I, I understood that once your opportunity came, you had to take it. And of course, that that comes with some fear. And I think the biggest thing is fear. I think it's fear of failure, failure from a young age, when you go over there, and you almost don't want to make mistakes, and you keep telling yourself don't make mistakes, and then you make mistakes. And I was, I was able to block that out and just focus on myself and why I'm actually there, you know, I work my way through the academy, I deserve to be there. There was players, as I said, have a similar ability next to me who were there. So we all deserve to be there. But you had to make an impression on the manager. Joe Partington 10:49 You've mentioned a little bit already but young players now have loads of stuff that they can do whether it be sit on a Playstation and you know watch the internet but for you and you're going up football was was everything to you? How did you build your philosophy on football? And by that, I mean that you are sort of a modern day player way beyond your time you played football that people hadn't really seen before? How did you manage from young age that build that perception of how you wanted to play? Jack Wilshere 11:23 I think a lot of it came natural. And what I mean by that is I always had a natural ability with the ball. And that came from a very young age I remember playing school football seven or eight. And you know, I could I could dribble with the ball but and anyone else. Also, I think being a club like arsenal, who's awesome came in he obviously changed the whole culture of the club. You wanted to play Total Football payouts from the backer time when that weren't really no one ever did that really and and that went all the way through the academy that the coaches and the Academy director all briefed on how we wanted to play. And it was always with the ball always technical ways. Everything we did from under tends to under 16th with the ball and I suppose I just embrace that and, and use it as my strength because I was always that was one of my strengths with the ball. You know, I want the biggest I want the quickest, but I could always make space with the ball. My first touch is always good. And I just always took that on with me if I was training with the 18th or the first team, or is member thinking right? Concentrate on your strengths, show your strengths and make an impression on the manager. Joe Partington 12:37 Did you have a preferred position at that age? Jack Wilshere 12:42 When I was coming through the academy, I was actually a wing up. Yeah, I was a left winger as you play left back as well. Remember, the head of the academy at the time was Liam Brady, and he was obviously a similar player to me. And he said to me once he was about 13 or 14, we went to a tournament in Holland. He said I want you to play left back. I played there, obviously didn't do very well because then they moved me back into midfield but and then when I got into the eighteens into the youth team young drains, I was only like 15 We played a diamond and I was playing top of the diamond. So I think arsenal and the whole club always saw me as almost like a number 10 off the striker. I used to have arguments but disagreements with the managers and I want to play deeper and he would always say that he sees me as a number 10. And to be honest with you, I did enjoy playing clan is number 10. I think as I've got a little bit older and I think as well, that roll of the number 10s Change no you don't really see now like, especially in England, like a nosy or someone that that who who just wants to ball defeat you know that that rolls change you have to run behind probably more times and you come into feed. So I think as as, as this changed have found myself more comfortable playing deeper. Joe Partington 14:06 Not many people finish their career in the position that they that they started and you obviously talking about they're these you know, left back and left midfield people often who are attacking players end up in defence and the opposite way around. What for kids at that age who are struggling to find a position or to see how they can be effective or on a match day in a certain position? What advice would you give them as to how to find out Jack Wilshere 14:37 I think it's important when you're growing up not every player Everyone listen to this will always will always think that they know where they want to play and where they they should be playing but I think is especially when you're really young grown up as a kid you should. You should try and embrace every single position. Because why I say that is because it If and when you go on to play men's football, you get into the first team. If the manager asks you to play somewhere you have to do. And that might be your opportunity. Like I said, when the opportunity comes, you have to take it. So I think you have to know a little bit lambing listen, if you live for it, then you finished your play midfield. I don't think you should be rolling out a left back roll or left wing, because that might be your opportunity to get into the team and keep your plays in the team when it comes to taking Joe Partington 15:31 the so your perception of football say that we've spoken about, obviously having a philosophy of having the ball all the time. Was everybody else? Your Rights doing that as well? And by what I mean? That obviously asked, no, we're we're teaching you to do that. But was that your opinion of how football was played anyway? Jack Wilshere 15:51 It was at the time, because that's all I knew, you know, I came for Arsenal. And that was what we were taught. Obviously, then, when I was 18, I went on loan to Bolton, and it was completely different. So I think you have to play to, to your strengths in the team. So when I was at bowling, we had big Kevin Davis up top. I mean, we weren't ever going to play out and try and try and play through the lines. It was right we get we get it. Kevin Davis and we we work off him and it worked. We finished 14th in in the Premier League that year. And that was fantastic for bowling. So my philosophy on football is always changing. And I think you have to be open to that because things change. And I spent, as you said 10 years at Arsenal a couple of loans because no one was here at Bournemouth and I learned a completely new style of playing. And and it helped me I think it benefited me I learned new things and went back to Arsenal had a good year. And now I'm back here in a completely different league. And in a tough league where I think you have to change your your style, every game depends on who you're playing against. Yes, you have to have your philosophy as a club, as a team. But you have to be able to, to change that, depending on who you're playing and what happens in the game. And I think that's one of the biggest things I've learned growing up in in football is you have to be able to change and adapt during the game. Joe Partington 17:27 The you've spoken about mentioned already, obviously the manager trust in You from quite an early age. And that's quite obvious, because you know, you're asking his youngest ever play at 1616 years old and 256 days. During that experience, what did you learn from from that was black bone away? Was that a red? What do you learn from that experience? Jack Wilshere 17:53 You know what, that that year was a strange year because yeah, I was pushing the year before, but I was in the youth team and only training with the first team. And I came back in preseason. And I think it was I think it was oh eight and that was a year and a year I just say you know, we had the big, the big plays your fabric gas fan policies, they were still away, and extended holiday. So I came up came back and I was with the first team. And I probably surprised myself with how well I did. And then the season started and I was on a bench a few times. And in my head I was like, why am I not playing I want to play now obviously got on the pitch against Blackburn. And that only increased that hunger wanted to get on. Get on a pitch more awful. I was ready. And obviously looking back now I knew I wasn't ready. And it wasn't until was it two years later, maybe a year and a half later, when I went on loan and came back? I realised now I'm actually not ready. And then that was the following season where where we had a lot of injuries and I started playing. And that's when I feel the club and manager really show faith for me because as you said, you look back now and you see 1617 year olds who are nowhere near it and I was probably similar is probably closer to it than a lot of players are now but to play in a club where there's a lot of pressure financially because we obviously moved stadiums a few years before. We hadn't won anything in a few years. And we we knew we had to get top four that was the that was that was the objective and to play someone with little experience of that pressure in you know, I think I played some of that for you fee free games that year. So yeah, that was that was the year where I learned most, you know, I grew up pretty quick. And even the first game outfield away. You know, I felt like I did all right. I gave the ball away and they scored and we haven't we drew one offs. So little things like that where managers could easily just say I missed the next one. He showed a lot of faith in me. Joe Partington 20:03 I've heard you speak about that moment at Liverpool actually in the trustee that he gave to you took a play. What was the difference between after the game? And obviously, you mentioned giving the ball away. So I can imagine after the game, you must have felt some sort of responsibility for that. And then after when you're still being picked, and you're still playing. Jack Wilshere 20:23 Yeah, that, that I think. I mean, after the game I was there was that I remember it. And, you know, I'm one even now I look back. I watched the games back. And I remember thinking straight away after the Mr. Naga, I didn't play well. But then I watched it back and forth. Actually, I did play well. I gave the ball away because he was sloppy. But you know what, Liverpool like Anfield, they're all over you, the fans are on you. And so that was a moment where I grew up a lot as well. And then to be to be selected for the next game. Awesome. Wasn't really one to take you out. I mean, it let you know if it weren't good enough. But it was more of what he didn't let you know what he wants from you what he needs from you. And, and we had a conversation after that. And I think next game was, was a home game. I think I've been against Bolton actually. And I played and I got to assess played well. And I just went from strength to strength faster that and a big part of that was the confidence shown in the manager because his confidence in football was massive for everyone. And there could be a moment you could have the best game in your career. And there's one moment where you give it away and you're punished a score. And that's all you remember that sticks in your head. But I think it's important to watch the game back. Even if you feel like you didn't play well to watch it that learn from it and move on. Joe Partington 21:49 See, when you talk about that reflecting back on your debut as a 16 year old, you realised later you weren't ready? What specifically do you mean by you weren't ready? Like what was the difference between you at 16. And then a couple of years later, where you could look back and have that opinion of yourself? Jack Wilshere 22:05 I think I understood after coming back from Bolton, what he actually meant. And what I mean by that is, you know, I went to Bolton. And there were players there are a lot of players and the club really. And you can see what happened to them now who needed to stay in the league they needed when they needed to get the wind bonuses to pay their mortgages. And there was a real togetherness that bolt one of everyone who understood that, and I'm thankful to them as well, because there's a lot of experienced pros there. And who could afford it was this kid coming from Austin, we don't want to you don't know what it means. But you know, they accepted me straightaway. I played 14 games. And I felt like I was really a big part of it. And then obviously, I went back to to ask no. And I carry that with me, obviously, of different pressures are asked No, but I carried that winning mentality. We mean no, no, in that. When you cross that line on on a Saturday, that's when it matters. That's when you have to produce and yeah, of course you do everything in the weekend training to prepare for that and make sure you're right. But actually, what matters is is Saturday and getting free points. Joe Partington 23:17 So you've spoken about the things that I've obviously watched of you speaking about your early experiences at Arsenal, you've you tell a story about how one of your friends who was the Mazouz gave you the info that some of the older players were were unhappy that you were trying to make them in training and that you were trying to say that are you should be playing ahead of them as a young 16 year old. Was there ever a moment back then that you felt accepted by the by the players? And what sort of environment was that like to be in? Jack Wilshere 23:49 Yeah, I think that was before I went to Bolton because I was just training. I think it might have been Yeah, it was it was when I remember it was like I was just training. I'm like I played Carling Cup games I'm in and and I was at this and I'm not that type of player who try and make someone on purpose but if is there then you can do it. And I remember one occasion as well. I played in an FA Cup game. I hadn't played an age of 17 at the time played away at West Ham Upton Park. And I got battered love playing right wing. I kept getting the ball defeat and fullback will be right up me and I've lose the member William Gallus absolutely hammering me. And I remember thinking at the time like that pull from it. Like why is he doing that? I'm obviously trying to get into the team trying to build a career. But then I look back. When I came back from Bolton I thought you know what, he was probably right. And I've never ever hold it against someone who an older pros trying to hammer someone because I'm kind of in that position. Now. I'm not just I'm not that type who will hammer young parent training Because I don't think he's right. But there are times when, when they need to be told, and there's ways of telling them but I always remember coming back. And it wasn't I didn't feel accepted, but it was always like I was trying to prove myself to them, which I think is right, I think you are trying to prove to them that you deserve to be in the team and that your teammates, I remember after the Barcelona game at home when we beat them, and I remember Sammy Nasseri saying to me, you, you went up a level that you've gone up a few levels, and you're ready for this now. And always remember that moment always stick and it was great for me now very many people have different opinions about him. But he was actually really good for for young players. Like he wasn't old himself. He was probably 2324 I was 18. And he was really good. Like he always he always tried to pick me up or give me confidence in training and yeah, he was good Joe Partington 25:58 as the the main player of that era that that sticks with you as being helpful. Jack Wilshere 26:04 Yeah, him and him fabric gas. Van Persie. Like they weren't, they were never negative. They would never hammered me for giving the ball away or anything. SESQUI Polly, as well go out of his way. And like, just little things like when you're walking out to training, I put his arm around you and listen set for me was like, my hero. You know, as I said before, when I was I must have been 12. He was 16 in the first game, and I wanted to be and then all of a sudden to play with him. week in week out was massive for me. And for him just to put his arm around me and say like, that was good, or you did well. And you'd even do it. Like when I was sort of training with the first team playing in the youth team playing the Youth Cup like it make it go out of his way and love his Ira means that I watched the game the other night, you were really good. And like that just gives you confidence. Joe Partington 26:52 I'm interested to know you now. training this morning? How would you deal with a with a 16 year old job OSHA? How would you treat it? Jack Wilshere 27:04 As I said, I'm not one law, I would never hammer one of you know what? I'm thinking today because we played against the young players a lot. I try and treat them as I would anyone else. I'm talking someone like Jeff Lamar, or like because we obviously have conversations on the pitch playing next to him. Or if I don't know, Adam Smith does something wrong. I'll tell Adam so I'm the type of player who will accept it as well. So that as I said to me, I'm not one to throw my my toys around be like, Nah, that's not right. I'll accept it. So I'll try and treat a young player like, like they deserve to be like they're one of us that we've asked because they deserve to be there. They're helping us like they're helping us prepare for the weekend. So you're trying to insane. Joe Partington 27:53 The end. So moving on, obviously, speak a little bit about this bolt on loan that you went on that was you know, you reflect on being quite important for you. During that time leading up to it, you you speak about pestering the manager to play more, and it ended up with you obviously going to Bolton knees mentioned growing up there and realising about winning games and how important that was. But what were the long lasting memories and, you know, and takeaways from that experience that you had? Jack Wilshere 28:25 Yeah, I mean, how it came about was, like you said, I'll be knocking on the manager's door, he told me that I was going to play games that year, and it got to, to January. And I'd probably only paid about 10 games made 10 appearances. And most of them were in the cup. So I kept on him. And he was like, hey, look, you're going to plan you to here and then it wasn't until I think it was deadline day when he said you can go out a few options. And I drove up to Bolton, my dad and got out spoke to Owen Coyle. And yeah, that was I knew that was where I wanted to be. And but it was strange, because one thing that sticks out and always kept this with me throughout my whole career. Wherever you go, from who you are, what you've done, you're not guaranteed to play. There's a process and that, for me difficult to understand when I first went there because I thought it told me I'm coming here to play games. And I think for the first three or four games, I was on the bench. Joe Partington 29:22 And it wasn't until Jack Wilshere 29:24 until I got given that opportunity while I showed him what I could do. I stuck in the team but what always stuck with me through my whole careers now, obviously, I was lucky enough to spend a lot of years at Arsenal but when I went to West Ham so when I first came here on loan to home, if I knew that there's a process that you have to train well, it doesn't matter who you are, you have to give everything and when the opportunity comes down to how how old you are or where you've been what you've done. You have to take it and I've kept that with me and that's helped me a lot through my career understanding why I'm not paying or why he's paying ahead To me, so I think that that is one of the biggest lessons I took from then obviously, in on the playing side of things. Growing up, and I know that sounds like a cliche, but I did as you grow up a lot, because I learned how to win, really, I mean, I grew up at Arsenal where most youth team games would win. We had a good good youth team all the way through really light twelves phase four is all I knew was winning. And I thought that that would be the way even when you got into the first team, and it wasn't even for my limited experience of playing the Carling cup, FA Cup at a young age, I knew that this was different. This was men's football, and I wouldn't completely understand it or or learn how to, to get through it until I played consecutive games. Probably a club like Bolton, who we were fighting for their lives Joe Partington 31:01 that time. So a bowl and obviously the different style of play to what you're used to. And the reason why I want to talk about a little bit is because there's probably loads of guys out there young guys who have a certain style of play or how they want to play, but are now in an environment or a team that plays different. How difficult was it for you to be Jack Wilshere in a bowling team that possibly didn't play to your strengths as a player. Jack Wilshere 31:27 I think you have to, you have to keep your identity of who you are as a player. But you have to learn and embrace new things. Because I came from Arsenal in the youth team breaking into the first team where you probably have 70% possession of a game and teams to drop off and it was down to you to take the game to them, keep the ball move the ball and then all of a sudden I went to a team I was obviously you know Bolton who weren't really going to try and play nice football it was get up to Kevin Davis, get on the second balls. Defensively, sit in a low block and and try and stop the team the better teams from from breaking you down. So I learned a lot on that side of things as well. But I think as well that is that's a good question. And it's important because, you know, I think about boys who I grew up with who grew up in the arsenal Academy learned the Arsenal way, learn how to play Total Football just with the ball, then never actually made a Korean football because it's actually you know, unless you're in that 0.1%, you actually make it at Arsenal, then it's difficult that you're probably going to go to a League Two, or League One team who aren't going to have the ball, we're gonna have a completely different football, you have to hit the ball, you have to fight every week, you plan three games a week, as well. And it's completely different. So I think if you are in that position, I think it's important you keep your identity of who you are and what your strengths are, but also learn to adapt. Joe Partington 33:01 We certainly obviously, at my level, in the conference that we see loads of guys who've have a certain style of playing sometimes, unfortunately, it just doesn't fit but I think they think they're gonna be able to walk into that level. But it's, you know, Jack Wilshere 33:14 it's not that easy. Yeah, as I said, I've got you know, loads of players who I played with who top top young players who had a chance to make it awesome but never actually worked out. But then just dropped out of the game because as you said, they went to a load load team, lower division team who, who demanded different things. And if you know, if you're a fullback and you're coming from arsenal is completely different. Like you have to tuck round when headers and and then think about getting forward whereas if you're asking Oh, you know, I'd love you look at their first team. Now the 10 is the veterans. Even now we've asked them not being what they were when when I broke through, they're still you know, the majority of the time on the fraud foot they're trying to break teams down and it's different. I mean, you have to learn to adapt I think that's important. Joe Partington 34:08 I know we're yo yo and a little bit in terms of you said these early years of your career. But this first prophecies and that you call it in in 2010 11 You make your England debut and the manager at that time Capello calls you the future you make 49 appearances for us no in all competitions and they finished third what the regular first team football at both of those levels do to develop your talent obviously because as a kid growing up like you say you had a certain style of play. You've been to bolt on you come back now you know what winning is about how did you manage to merge the two and become obviously so important to everybody to play that many that many games? Jack Wilshere 34:52 Yeah, so when when I my mind didn't debut it was before to start the season. So it was We just finished preseason, I'd had a good preseason. I wasn't sure if I was gonna get to play as much as I wanted to ask no. And I played for England, which gave me massive confidence. New views, I think it was about 15 minutes, but it still gave me confidence. And I think if you watch watch game throughout the season, which I've done, you can see me growing in confidence as a player. And I think that's a lot. A lot of what helped me get through that season, you know, the first first game at Liverpool didn't go well, but I've got confidence after watching it again, thinking the eyes you don't know, right? And I slowly became more confident. And I think the more confident I got, the more you sort of have the actual real Jack Wilshere and and then obviously, when we beat faster in, in the Champions League, that was like the Feb. that was like when I was getting to the peak of that of myself and how I felt. But yeah, I think a lot of that was confidence. And I knew I had the ability, but I didn't, I wasn't sure if I was ready to play. Playing art was firstly, and obviously I thought I was but then as you say, when you actually get the chance, that's when you get nervous you you start having a few doubts, but I was good at blocking them out and just focusing on myself from what got me there and what I was good at and what I'm in the team to do. Then yeah, my confidence is grew throughout the whole season. Joe Partington 36:30 You talk about that Pastor game and I don't think probably any interview that you do. People don't want to talk about it. So I mean, I've heard you discuss that game with other people in you know, in interviews and stuff that you actually finished that game and didn't really think you had played that well that you that you know it took some of the other the other guys to tell you how good you'd been and for people to reflect on that game. Did you just think then at that time, like that's just another normal game that I've played. Jack Wilshere 36:59 That wasn't that but it was so I played the Champions League before and obviously played that year in the group stages and and I remember watching the draw of a few of the lads and Barsa we got drawn against barstool and I remember few lads going on though, because the year before it happened same thing happened and I think they got smashed on it like 62 or something I remember like thinking I lay that good and then I remember starting again and thinking oh my god like this could be four or five like they had a few chances. He used to make these little passes through midfield where you just couldn't do anything about it and and I don't know what it was but something something changed in the game I think you know always like any game somebody can happen and it gives you a lift and the fans were unreal in that game. And they got behind us and that helped but yeah, I mean I remember thinking the first half I didn't actually do do that. Well I mean I made a few tackles a few passes forward that started attacks but I remember the second half I remember thinking coming off and Gurashi to scored had a chance to score and I should should have assisted I should have pulled the ball back because the goal and I think it was Abdol who blocked it and yeah, it wasn't actually I think the first person who came to me after the game was kicked man and he was just giving me some banter about Javelin Iniesta and how I ran past him and loads of times and and then I remember saying to assess God give me Messi shirts this was that we talking about message has been in your pocket go get yourself actually that good and then I'm on mobile obviously getting on social media and seeing my name trending and then what's your back and drinking I and I did actually play really well. But no strange strange you know I am quite like that now after games I even the last game I know someone from from wickerman laughter game, he came up to me and he was like, Are you play well, and I was like, No, I didn't. I'm just like that straightaway. I'm, I'm really self critical. I mean, as I said before, I like to watch the game back after and then how can really judge it but straightaway after, I'm really self critical. Joe Partington 39:19 I think a lot of guys at your level, it's pouring down rain. A lot of guys who are playing at your level and have that elite mentality will often never really truly know if they had played well or not, because it sort of comes down to really fine details and but during that period of time, we're talking about this one boss again, but obviously you were consistently playing at that level was the boss again for you. Almost a confirmation to everybody else. Like I am this good. So I am playing at this level. Like you've just seen it once. Jack Wilshere 39:49 Yeah, I think that that was what it was as well because I've been paying well for a while. You know, I felt I was pretty consistent. I felt really Good. My confidence was high going into that game, even before that game and then yeah, I think because it was the Champions League. It was awesome to be Barcelona it was everyone watched it. I think that was when people actually fought Oh, no, he is actually quite good. Yeah, because you know, you know, it's like as well, for an English player growing up, you see a lot. You know, a lot of people think if he, if he wasn't English, English media wouldn't be as hyped up about him as they are. And I think that was when people are now you know, actually is quite good. Joe Partington 40:32 I mean, that's personally for me, I think I watched that game. And I was pleased that you were getting recognition at the time for the football that you were playing. And by, by that I mean, Barcelona where everybody's go to, to watch because of the football that they played. But because you were now being perceived as playing that same sort of style of football, which isn't really an English thing. You started to get a lot more credit for obviously, the level that you were playing that did you feel like the you know, the comparison between you and the Spanish guys? Did you like that? Or because the rest of the English players weren't, weren't really playing football that way? Jack Wilshere 41:12 Yeah, no, I did like that. And one of the main reasons I like that is because someone who I used to look at and try and base my game around was in yester. And then to be compared to him, was nice, but I mean, it was it was that year was strange, because and fully got got it, got it got it back now, but like, you go through things in your career and love, but that year, I really had a mentality of right, I was going to show everyone and I'm good enough to be here. And I want to, I want to prove to people that I am and that stuck with me for a few years. But then obviously, when injury is common and things happen, you have doubts. But I think throughout my career, I've always used that year as a reference to go back to that same mentality of like, who you're playing against, I'm actually playing Champions League or championship, every game is a choice to show to people and prove to people that you belong to either Joe Partington 42:10 during that time, can you remember, what sort of like your football lifestyle? Was? Your training days? Habits at home? Like, how are you living your life, obviously, to consistently perform at that top level. Jack Wilshere 42:24 From a young age, I was always the type of kid growing up who wouldn't eat McDonald's and little things like that, that I just wouldn't. And then when I and I broke into the first team, I was I was the same I was focused. I used to live right. I was, I was at a point in my life. And I always had this feeling as well, it was like, I signed a deal. But I wasn't happy with it. And it was strange, because I remember people in the same same youth team or players breaking through into the first team would be talking about that type of thing that oh my god, I've got this, I've got that. And I never, never had that. I was always thinking about what can I get next? Or how am I going to get to a point where they have to offer me another one. And that was the way I was living. That was my drive. That was my focus. And it really came, like became serious in that year, where I realised that I was going to be playing. week in week out, I had to prepare, I had to make sure that I was in the best condition I could be when when Saturday came because as well. I look back then. And I was still only, you know, as a teen as an 18 year olds body. I wasn't fully grown or fully developed. And, you know, I had to make sure I could give myself that extra five or 10% going into a Saudi Joe Partington 43:55 is interested in the guys that I've spoken to who have or are playing at the top level. They all talk about how they never really spend any time being satisfied with what they've done. And they always seem to, to look at what's next. Is that something that you obviously that? Yeah, an attitude that you had from an early age? Jack Wilshere 44:11 Yeah, I had that from a really a really early age. And then I've always had that even now as well. Like, if we finish the game and I'll fade well the teams say Well, we've won always been good. We will go again next week. We have to we got it could be anyone we got paid them or you know, I need to make sure I can produce that again, how am I going to do that? And I think you have to you have like a lot of people and there'll be players out there who are playing in a good level who are younger and they don't really realise that because the their ability or the team they're finding gets improved, but you have to do the things that and all the little things that add up need to eat right you need to get the right amount of sleep if you need to see a physio or get a massage. You have to do that to make sure you're right Joe Partington 44:59 there I'm interested to know a little bit about as well, because he's, he's talking about after that game, in particular going on your phone and send mentions on on whatever it was social media. Obviously now, social media is such a big part of football, it wasn't sort of probably when you were first growing up into the first team. How have you managed to deal with with social media positive and negative in football? And also, moving forward from that? What advice would you give to people about how to deal with the pressure of social media? Jack Wilshere 45:35 Yeah, when I first first broke into theme, I remember I was one of the first guys on Twitter. And I remember a lot of people saying, How are you doing? Why are you on there. And I remember just using it as band almost like either banner with the Spurs fans that give me a banner back or talk about the game. But now it's, it's completely changed, you know, load teams, clubs, sponsors, you have to do things for social media, that's part of the that's part of the game now. And I think it is more difficult now for someone coming through, especially at the big clubs. And I think there has to be as like a support network on, on teaching players how to, how to use it, and how to deal with it. Because it's, and we're, we're all human, and you could have a good game if you've got a good game. And then you go on social media, and you read your your comments, and that one person who said I didn't do this, you didn't do that, or you've been bad today, that always sticks in your head. And I think that can affect you. And there's a lot of people saying that don't affect me. I don't care. But I think I think as humans, you carry that with you. And so I think there has to be some input in place, which helps young players firstly, how to use it because you know, players, I feel like some players are using it. Sometimes do use it over some players aren't using it right and and then how to deal with that, because it's a big part of the game now. Joe Partington 47:10 Moving forward past that season, I don't really want to spend too long. Talking about your your injuries, I don't really think it's it's necessary because we, you know, try and talk about your football. But after 17 months, you make your first appearance back in the first team in a game of QPR and you know, you were man of the match for that for that game. I want to really know, not necessarily about the injury, but the period of time that you were injured. How difficult was that mentally to see yourself getting back to that level? And then how did you feel after that game, knowing what you've just done? Jack Wilshere 47:47 Yeah, that was a difficult time because I never had an injury before that. Even like growing up in any academy or any youth team I used to play all the time, I used to play school football. And as I said, I just loved playing football. And then I'd obviously broke into the first team that year and had a really good year and for now, this is my chance I need to keep working hard to get better and keep keep playing at the top level. Keep asking the Champions League and I was really important player that at that point as well. And then yeah, I got I picked up a little injury in preseason game and, you know, I didn't think anything of it. I've hurt my ankle, I'll be back in a few days or whatever. And I've been having tests and scans realised pretty soon it was it was quite serious. And that was difficult. Because it went on for so long, like I know, obviously had an ankle injury and came back and got a knee injury and I was thinking what do I have to do just to get back to training but I can't get anywhere near I'd break down after you know, five or six running sessions that helped me a lot as well and in terms of realising the demands and what you have to do to to play at the top level. And even I noticed as I was out for 17 months, but probably was out for about 14 months and then started training and playing with the under 20 freeze at a time. And it just took me that time to get up to that level. And I remember the morning of that game normally the boss gave the team they've put a game he didn't I didn't think anything of it. And then about three hours before kickoff, he put the team up and I was in it and I remember thinking on am I ready for this and he obviously did did that for that for that reason, because he didn't want me going to bed night before thinking or worrying about it. And yeah, I mean, the feeling after that game was because as well in that game I got absolutely smashed by someone. And I remember always thinking in the back of my head with what if I get smashed because I'm that top player who wants to run with the ball. And I'd played a few games with the 20 Freeze, but it wasn't a Premier League and you weren't playing against men. And yeah, I remember after that game just absolutely buzzing like just thinking. Now I'm back here I need to do, what it takes and what I can to stay. Joe Partington 50:18 You mentioned a little bit about how difficult it was to physically get to the level that you needed to become to compete in the Premier League. Specifically, what sort of stuff were you doing? And at what point did you obviously before the game, you've just said there that you weren't sure if you're ready or not? Like, what is the perception of being ready to play at the top level? Like, what do you have to do? Jack Wilshere 50:42 I think when I think about it, the perception I give it is it's not really fitness because this is my first game in ages. Adrenaline will get me through that. And, and yeah, it'll be difficult. But I think if a game isn't difficult for someone, then they're probably not pushing themselves as hard as they can. And my perception was like rhythm on the ball, would I be able to still do the same things would I be able to go up to a player and, and beat him get close to him not to Tableau. And that was, was more in my mind is more of a technical thing that I don't want to give the ball to, I don't wanna make silly mistakes. And I've always said as well, throughout my, from my whole career. And it's probably not a good thing, because it can determine. So think so in games, and always think about the first pass like your first touch. And if that's good, then okay, you can build on it. And usually, you know, I can't remember a game where, because I'm so focused on that. Were like your first touch you give us important and yeah, okay, you're in the game. Yeah, that was going through my head a lot. Joe Partington 51:57 The people obviously trying to reach the top level, may or may not be there at this moment. A lot of the guys probably listening to this will be, you know, a low level. Do you feel like they can attain the training standards of a top level guy and and what do they look like? Jack Wilshere 52:18 Yeah, I think you've always got to have have that focus in your mind. Because, I mean, I think about players who have had a different way of getting to the top, and I did, Jamie Vardy is even pays like, Delhi, Delhi. Delhi was in an academy, but playing at a lower league team and an opportunity and, you know, Vardy look at Vida you came through non League, and now he's played in World Cup. So I think in terms of, of keeping that focus and, and training and right eating, right, I think anyone could do that. But I think a lot of it comes from your focus and your drives and where you want to be where you want to get to sorry, and what you're going to do to get to because I think that is the fundamentals, you know, you have to live, right, you have to eat right, you have to get your training, right. And give yourself the best opportunity for when that opportunity comes around to take it because I mean, it could happen whenever I need. As I said, I play with players who have gone that way about it. And I remember speaking to divide as a World Cup, and he always fought he was good enough. He always fought you one day, get to the top. And there's different ways of doing it. But I think one thing you can do is make sure you give yourself the best opportunity. Joe Partington 53:44 Definitely the so the next few years after that season, sort of you know, after the moment you come back from that injury, they seem to end up in a combination of playing really well and contributing to successful results. I think obviously FA Cup wins to the FA cups. And then sustaining injuries and recovering. And that seems to be the you know, a theme of performing very well having to spend a bit of time have performed really well. And including London that as well. Because when you were fit for in the new played like you went straight back in the team, how much of a challenge in time was that for you? In terms of like you say getting into a rhythm? And how difficult was it physically to almost yo yo from injury to play? Jack Wilshere 54:34 Yeah, I think that the first injury in a while came back from that really helped me deal with the other injuries because I knew that I could get back and that that first injury was the most serious injury I've ever had. So yeah, it was frustrating, but I knew that I could come back to that level and always had the confidence in myself that once I get the opportunity I'd take it and Come back to a good level. But I also knew what you had to do with the rehab. The work you had to do with the fitness team before coming back, and I was always, always drove that myself, you know, like, I knew if I was ready to come back into training, or if I wasn't, or if they will hold me back on always pushing them. And I think that first injury really helped me deal with everything that came after Joe Partington 55:25 the so finding consistency, obviously, in your game. Was that challenging? Every time you did come back? UFC, you don't question your ability. But was it challenging trying to find the level that you were at every time? Jack Wilshere 55:41 Yeah, it wasn't, it was challenging is you knew that you could come back to a good level. But after five games, or 10, games would be even better. And it was about, again, having the trust of the manager to give you that that chance of building up to the level that you need to be at really in. Finding that consistency was was was difficult at times, but I knew what it would take to get it, I knew that the more you played and your confidence came back, and you could have more of an influence on games, but you had to play the games, and he was always good to be fair hospital remain. With that he would, he would respect that and give me that chance to come Joe Partington 56:27 the majority of your injuries, and I said I wasn't going to talk about too much, but the majority of them in football, you probably don't get people saying they're lucky or unlucky quite a lot. But it seems to be that you are like the luckiest man ever. And all these injuries are impact. And and that's obviously rare. But you seem to manage that pick a lot of them up. I'm interested to know if people that are at home or listening to this or suffer injuries and they're unlucky. And they're no through no fault of their own. How did you manage to deal with that? And what advice could you give them on how they can deal with that too? Jack Wilshere 57:04 I think the biggest one is, is trust in your ability to come back is difficult at times, because what you want to do is go and play football and if an injury is holding you back, that ain't ain't your fault, then. It's difficult to accept and you know, some people go the other way and go off the rails. But I think you always have what kept me going was I was running out and I was lucky enough to be a big club running out in front of the fans. Having that pressure of being involved in big games, that's what kept me going. If I could give any advice, it would probably be as simple as it sounds, just keep going. Because I did that. That's all I did. You know, I kept going injury after injury, I kept going, I kept working. I kept believing that I could come back and I deserve that opportunity to come back. And And as well, I think that one thing a lot of people used to always say to me is are you going to change your game, you're going to give it a little bit early, are you still gonna run with it? And I think you can't change that. Because that takes away your identity. And that's all you've got really as a player is who you are, what you're what you're good at. And you can't change that. And I've never changed it always wanted to be the same player and and yes, a risk because you're putting yourself in a position where you can't get tackled, and someone might miss time and and you're injured again. But that is who I am. That's why I started playing football and why I love playing football. And I'm not going to change that, Joe Partington 58:35 that moves me quite nicely into, you know, to this next next little bit of your game have developed over that period of time. And I've I've you know, I've read things that you've said about wanting to play different positions on the pitcher Arsenal off the back of flame for England in in specifically in that deep line midfield role, but not in a way that English fans and teams that perceived it before but on how European teams now had their most technical player playing in that number four role. Genuinely Was it tough for you to to obviously want to express your football and you see yourself playing in this position. It's obviously worked in in some level. And you want to go back to ask though and do that on a you know, on a regular basis. Was that tough for you to you had a perception of how football was but England as a as a league had a different perception of what it looked like. Jack Wilshere 59:30 Yeah, it was it was tough because obviously I felt I could show myself to everyone best in a in a deep line role. And I wanted to play that and I played that with England, played well and felt really comfortable there. And then literally the I was the obviously I was number 10 in the team and that was that was difficult and I had many conversations we've we've asked and I remember one that stands out and obviously it's not our fault but I just played in that role for England. And I came back and said to Boston, I was like, I want to play there. And he was like, No, I want you to play 10. And we played. We play Monday night at home. And I played in the 10 played well. And then he was about 16 minutes, I mean, 10 position, I've got the ball and I've turned not pushed it, past paddy scenarios, and he completely wiped me out. And he ruptured my whole ankle ligaments. I was out for three months. And I remember thinking after, if I weren't paying number 10 Only got injured. But yeah, I mean, I think I always trusted the boss, to be honest, always trust his opinion. And he paid me in the 10. Because he thought that was best for the team. You know, I'd much rather played deeper, but if I had to play tend to be in the team I wanted to play. So yeah, I mean, listen, I talked about the time that I didn't enjoy it did enjoy it at times, and it got you more opportunities to create things or get closer to the goal. So yeah, I enjoy playing it. But I always find myself a little bit deeper. Joe Partington 1:01:14 The form of loan so it's, you know, it's a period of time where I think you're obviously looking to play consistently again. I've spoken to cookie obviously, when when you first joined I asked Steve Lacava you know, what's what's he like in real life in training, said that this guy's unbelievable. Lucky, he's amazing. None of the guys had ever seen a play like you before. Did you know coming into a level and I'm interested, obviously for people listening, when they're at a certain level and they're perceived to go to a you know, to a team that's below them possibly. What was that like? And were you aware of how people perceive to when when you move to Bournemouth, Jack Wilshere 1:01:56 it that was something that was I was quite nervous about actually because because come into form of speaking to Eddie, I knew that a big part of the success they've had here was down to the team spirit. And I was confident that I'm the type of guy who can get on with anyone and fit in anywhere, but I didn't know how they'd accept me in all the lads had been here for a while in through Ligue one into champ not even in the Premier League. And I didn't want them to think of me as this, this kid or not a kid, I was 24, this guy's coming from five big club just to play games, we don't really care. So I bought into the teams for really early and I wanted to, to make sure that that was one of the main things that I'd done when I came here. And to be fair, all the boys, they were brilliant with me, you know, they helped me massively sell in the what helped as well was, and that was different, and different players. But a lot of the philosophy of the club was similar to Arsenal a little bit different in some aspects. But, you know, Eddie wanted to play out, all the boys wanted to play out. Take risks on the ball. And sometimes it wouldn't work and would be punished, but would still stick at it. But yeah, there was a, when I first signed, I was a little bit nervous of how the boys would accept me, but they were brilliant. Joe Partington 1:03:25 You end up pretty quickly, you know, you're sort of winning Player of the Month awards. What was it like going from, you know, an environment where you're expected to win every game, to an environment now where you're possibly not expected to win every game? And it's, you know, a different mentality of that everyone's desperate to win, but not expected to win? Jack Wilshere 1:03:50 Yeah. Strange, really, because I felt at the time that we should be achieving more than we were. I remember having conversations already. Again, a little bit frustrated, because there were games where, where I felt I we had a great team, and we finished ninth I know, and it was a great season for us. But there were times where there were games, we should have won. And I felt like we weren't, we weren't expressing ourselves enough. And that was that was quite difficult to to get not to accept, but to learn really, that. Yeah, we weren't expected to win every game, whereas I was going into game thinking we're gonna win this today. And there was some big big games that we won and now some games that we didn't, we should have won. And that was difficult to set but I just had a great year I enjoyed I enjoyed myself massively. I came I got myself back to a level where I could actually have an influence on games. I remember having that conversation with Eddie as well, when I first came, and he was brilliant with me, like he had a long conversation about what he thinks I need to get back to that level. And we did we did it, you know, we, I took my time, I think, for the first, maybe two or three months, I didn't play 90 minutes, you know, brought me in. He brought me in slowly, I started on the bench and then built myself up. And I got back to a level where I was confident going into games that I can have a real influence on how I can create things. And yeah, it was a good year. A lot Joe Partington 1:05:37 of guys, especially at the top level, and young players now it's seen as like a loan move as perceived as almost a negative now and, and you're speaking about the two loans that you've had Bolton and Bournemouth has been really important experiences for you. What would you, you know, what sort of advice would you give to players in similar position who feel like they want to go and play but don't want it to be perceived as a negative moves? Jack Wilshere 1:06:02 I think the most important thing, as I said before, is Saturday at three o'clock, and you don't want to be sound event sat down three o'clock. And I know that sometimes isn't as easy as just going online. Because as I said before, there's a process but I think, a change of environment. change of mentality, a change of surroundings, really helped me. I spent a year, eight months in Judah asked No, I went to the Euros there probably won't fit enough to go to the Euros. But the manager took me I played a few games, didn't really have a good tournament. And then came back in in preseason and felt I did all right, but started on the bench. And I remember thinking, I'm not going to be happy with this. Maybe 15 games, where you're coming off the bench style and some style and not really the important ones. Or do I want to go out and really have a right go trying to get back to a level? Well, I can come back because my my plan was always to go back to Arsenal. And I'd never thought that going on loan would hinder I always thought it would help me and it did. I think the proof is there that I went on loan, I came back, okay, I was injured I broke my leg. But when I was when I was fit again, I got back into the awesome team. And that was that was the goal. That was the plan. And that gave me that when I came it gave me that hunger back and a feeling of playing week in week out again. And that was massive for me. So I don't think it should ever be seen as a negative. Even if you have to drop a league or drop two leagues, you're going out you're playing football, you're learning something different. And I can only help you. Joe Partington 1:07:50 When you've been fit in your career, more often than not you've you've played you've been picked. So getting to the point now where you obviously made the decision to leave arsenal. I can imagine there was a lot of people obviously wanted you to go and sign up. I've read about that, you know, this West are moving you have basically under the impression that the football was going to suit you. Not only how difficult was was it a decision for you to make. But knowing that obviously every time you were fit, you'd play how even more difficult was that to leave Arsenal now knowing that if you could get yourself physically the right condition, you'd probably play? Jack Wilshere 1:08:30 Yeah, well, my decision was based around playing, because I knew that if if I was fit, I would play under the previous manager. And then obviously a new manager came in and I'd been offered a deal. And I just didn't want to sign it. And I got off the deal when asked him was there. And then obviously he announced he was leaving in the season. And I wanted to say he was going to come in because I wanted to play. And I knew straight away from that conversation with Mr. At the time that I want in his plans. And a lot of people said to me, yeah, but you probably would have played if if you stayed and worked hard and impatient. But I just had a feeling from him that he wasn't feeling me he obviously was going to bring in his own midfielders that he fancied. And and yeah, so it was it was difficult decision because I've been there for so long. But it was made easier by the fact that I sat down with with the manager, I looked him in his eye and I just got that. That feeling that he wasn't he wasn't having me and all I wanted to do at that stage was play as well and and then when I went to sit down with the New West manager at the time, I felt like I was really important to him. He really wanted me and yeah, that's why that's why I left Rooney Joe Partington 1:09:46 a lot of people probably be in a similar position where I've got friends now at much lower levels who don't want to play in teams because they get a feeling off the manager that they're they're not in his plans for people in that situation and I'm sure that themselves who may be favoured by one manager and possibly not by the other. How can they deal with that? And what sort of advice would you give them? Jack Wilshere 1:10:09 Yeah, that's tough, because that happens on all levels in football. And I mean, it's difficult because you're in position where as the you can't really do much, because if the managers not, if you're not in the managers plans, then what can you do? Yeah, you can train well, you can train hard. And you just have to somehow get in, get yourself in front of them. And isn't that opportunity could come through injury, someone's injured and you get your chance, and you have to take it. But that, that is one of the most difficult positions in football, because I see it all the time. You know, I see boys down, the confidence is low. And it affects them on a day to day basis, because they're footballers, and all they want to do is, is playing games, and you can train and do as well, but they're in a better feeling. And when Saturday comes in, you're walking up every game is the best way in the world and have that taken away because of one person's opinion is difficult to accept. You have to you have to remain professional and do the right things live right still. Because you never know when that opportunity might come. Joe Partington 1:11:20 The recently I've you know, listen to the podcast that you did with SkySports guys on SuperSix. Talking about, I think it was in a period of time in lockdown where you possibly still weren't, weren't signed to a club and exploring the options that you had. And you spoke about, obviously, the football that you'd like to play and and what kind of player you were, and how that suited possibly moving abroad. Is that something that you're, you know, it's still on your mind and still possibility? Jack Wilshere 1:11:49 I think so. And I think this this little spell warmer from January to now, you know, playing 1920 games training every day has, has been so good for me, because, you know, I said before that I always had that, that confidence in myself. But when you have at a club for free mumps, and there's not many you had, if I had a few options, that one in Australia, which I just didn't want to do and things like that, when when I left West Ham was being given right? Teams gonna come along and have different options, and they didn't like who you are, that's going to affect your confidence. And it wasn't until, you know, I rang Tinder myself and said, Can I come down and train and it wasn't until I got in front of a manager and impressed him waving on stage, we decided to indices and so that gave me confidence in myself. And then obviously, everyone knows that the championship is brutal league is very demanding, you have to prepare yourself, right. And I've got that confidence back in my body where whereas before, you know, songs that I would have bought, I'd like the thought of it. But if I got out, I'd always be thinking in the back of my head once we got out there and got injured and stuck out there. Whereas now, I don't have that doubt. Because because I've trained every day I've played, injuries can happen wherever. But in terms of trusting my body, I've got that backing in, Joe Partington 1:13:18 I think that it could be a really important message of a guy of obviously your level and talent that in the period of time where you expected obviously to leave West Ham and to move straight on into some way it was a difficult time. And you know, we spoke before about, you know, before recording about you going out to Dubai and training stuff. How tough you know, was that period of time, especially now obviously, with what's going on recently. It's gonna be a lot of guys, especially it's this summer, a lot of guys out of contract, you know, difficult really knowing what they're going to do. One, how tough was that for you? And to what can these guys in that position do to help themselves? Jack Wilshere 1:13:57 Yeah, well, when I left West Ham, it was, it was kind of I don't want to say relief, because I don't want to talk bad about West Ham because I was the house man who played for West Ham. And so I live my dream. But at the time, things weren't working out. And I just wanted to get out and play somewhere. And that is what I've, what a Gemini for that. Yeah, I'll leave on a free agent and someone will come and take a chance on me, but it just didn't come about and how I came about. I was I was I was close to going to cyberspace separately. And I didn't really want to do it. But I didn't have anything else. So So I was thinking, I might do two indices and and then this really last minute, I decided I'm not going to throw myself into something I don't want to do. I don't feel it'd be good for me. And I'm going I mean last minute I'd like packed my bags. So I was thinking sat down with the missus said look, this is good. I was locked down. So I can't keep waking up going to Hatfield Park running around on my own and doing that life. I'm hating it. I don't want to do it. I'm thinking about everything just to pull it off you know, I'd wake up and I'd sit in the house to like five just before we got dark anything I got got out and it was just breaking me self alright citizen, Mrs. Calm we're going to go to Dubai. I know a guy over there Chris, who, who's like a trainer, just for a change of scenery and like, just to get away from everything. And isn't everyone's been having a difficult time this year because a lockdown. And I was fortunate enough that I could do that. But that did give me a lift, I changed my, my mood completely made me maybe a little bit more focused on trying to get some in. And that was when I came back from, you know, a few days later for Ronnie to get into the team. Just to just for training just to be around plays again, because it's been so long, obviously, I couldn't just go anywhere because there was it was COVID Rose. And I think I think football being cooled off. And as well, I mean, grassroots football, so I can even train with our mates around Jason, and he was brilliant. He said, Yeah, come down and come down and train. I genuinely didn't, didn't think that it would it would work out. It would work out they would happen. Because obviously there was there was midfielders here or whatever. So I didn't even cross my mind is wanting to get in front of other players and train. It was after two weeks. And I remember my agent rang me I was driving back to London major only and Tom they wanted to do something. And I just couldn't keep the smile off my face. I felt like a little kid again, who's who's going back to play football? And yeah, it was, it was a good feeling. Joe Partington 1:16:43 I think a common theme of everything we've spoken about here. And what's probably really important for people try and take away is that you seem to take responsibility for all your stuff. So when you're injured you sort responsibility for your rehab when you wanted to work hard as a place of responsibility when you for whatever reason whether that club, despite not wanting to you still have you know, you went and you trained and you put yourself in a position where you'd be able to come back to a club and play how important for these guys obviously wanting to become professional footballers, who are how important is being responsible and looking after your own stuff. Jack Wilshere 1:17:20 I think that's massive because we're taught as kids growing up and rightly so to listen to your coach and yeah, you have to listen to your coach of course you do you're you're playing for a team and he's the coach so you have to but as well taking responsibility in terms of if you feel you need something else if you need to do some running after training or you need to work on something that you need to improve then you have to take that responsibility yourself because you might get a few coaches who will help you with that but a lot of a lot of things are based around the team will always preparing for a game especially in this league you're preparing for a game every three days and sometimes it's difficult not to get caught up in that and forget about what you need or what you need to improve on. So yeah taking responsibilities is something I've learned from my career is massive because you know you need and what what is going to make you you feel right to to be ready for Saturday three o'clock again not always coming back to that that is the for me like I said after a game always think about the next game and I was going to happen and what do I need to do to make sure on Russia that Joe Partington 1:18:37 you're going to finish up me if if it's okay to quit fires and and that'd be us mate. So number one is the best lesson you learned off the players you played with Jack Wilshere 1:18:47 Arsenal probably forever Yes. And how he he controlled the game. Like a guy who was not quick you weren't strong. But he was the best player when everybody was the best player. And he also in control games. Like he was always he was always aware of his surroundings and like he always saw a pitcher before anyone else the ball came to him you pop it off or you take a touch in turn he always made the right decision. Joe Partington 1:19:24 I know we've touched on that a little bit but how best going to play a deal with the pressure of modern day social media think Jack Wilshere 1:19:34 the simple answer to that would be don't get don't get carried away when things are going well. And don't get too low when when things aren't so well. Joe Partington 1:19:48 Apart from muscle manga, which manager Have you enjoyed working with the most and what do you do for Jack Wilshere 1:19:52 your game? It's tough because I really enjoyed Eddie but Roy Hudson paid me for my country in a deep lie midfield role I always wanted to play so it's probably him and his coaching staff Gary Neville was out at the time. Ray Lewington who really helped me and really helped me understand that role Joe Partington 1:20:17 that the blind mythical brother that he put you in? Did you want to play that before he did that? Or did you know that Jack Wilshere 1:20:24 I always wanted to play like, I always grew up playing a 4231 and always wanting to be one to two. But then we've England we played a diamond and sort of a one to one. And I was the deadline one, and I wasn't sure at first. I remember sitting down with with Gary Neville and watching videos, pillow was paid so much and how he controlled it from there and even got into the first game. I wasn't sure. And it wasn't after the first game where we beat Switzerland to nil for oh, yeah, I really enjoyed I feel comfortable. And this is some Inaka Joe Partington 1:21:00 best things to do with best things to do to deal with suffering and recovering from injuries. I think Jack Wilshere 1:21:10 setting goals and what I mean by that is staying focused and driven on what you want to achieve and where you want to go with that. Joe Partington 1:21:20 The best performance of your career in your opinion. Jack Wilshere 1:21:26 I say your opinion because everybody would no longer say when I scored my motto England goals. It was against Slovenia. And everything went well. I played a deep lion role. I scored two goals like probably the two best goals were scored and I never hit anything like that again. And everything just went viral. I felt good. I didn't really give the ball away. So yeah, so Joe Partington 1:21:51 apart from talent, what are the most important attributes players need to be successful in football now? I think Jack Wilshere 1:22:02 something that drives them I mean, the drives and which keeps them focused. And, and hard work like you can't get away from hard work you have to win. I mean, how to I don't mean right, hard work in just in the game. You have to work hard, of course. But I mean in training and pushing yourself to get the best out yourself. Joe Partington 1:22:29 Current career ambitions. Jack Wilshere 1:22:35 Short term obviously, to get Bournemouth back into Premier League. And long term, difficult question because I actually don't know, like, I know that I want to play at the highest level possible. And to keep pushing myself and keep that focus. And when that focus and that self self drive goes is when I know that I'm done. And until I lose that I'll keep going and trying to play as high level as I can. Joe Partington 1:23:13 What advice would you give to a 16 year old Jack Wilshere? As they Jack Wilshere 1:23:26 maintain to maintain your hunger towards towards the game throughout good times and bad times because there's going to be bad times there isn't any one's career. But you have to stay driven and focused and and try as hard as you can to get the good times but Joe Partington 1:23:46 it sounds as if you have done that you've taken your advice. Last one. What advice would you give to players who are one of the most talented players at their level or age group? Jack Wilshere 1:23:59 I'd say that they should be thankful that they've got that talent. But don't waste it because I've seen so many. And when I mean wasted I don't mean like throw it all away. I mean that you don't develop that talent like you've got some in. Go off, do a lot try and improve its shot and try and prove to everyone to show everyone how much talent you've got. Joe Partington 1:24:23 Appreciate amazing. Thanks very much for your time today. Guys, I hope you enjoyed that episode, talking to Jack about his incredible career and the experiences he's had was so insightful for me because it's Ferriss show, just what it takes to be a player at the top level of the game. Hopefully the things that we've spoken about today can help you all moving forward to give yourself the best possible chance playing at the highest level you can to get a summary of all the valuable takeaways from Today's episode, make sure you follow the show notes or head straight to the PErforM website. We will give you the key moments from each episode and put them into a clear roadmap of how to include the information straight into your game. Don't forget, if you like our content and want to see more, please write us a review. Leave a comment and please subscribe. Alternatively, head to the website and sign up to our mailing list to receive world class information straight to your inbox every week for free to help leave no doubt in your game. Thank you once again to Jack for joining me and talking about his journey. See you all next week for another great episode. I can't wait to share with you all I've enjoyed Partington. See you guys

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Episode 1 – Jack Wilshere: Maximising Your Potential

Freddie Woodman - Responsibilities in Football

Tom Lockyer - Lessons from a Welsh International

Brian Stock - Football Intelligence

Episode 7 - Yan Dhanda - Football Confidence

Sam Vokes - Lessons from a Welsh International

Episode 5 - Tom Broadbent - Soldier to Footballer

Episode 4 - Nathan Dyer - Dealing with Anxiety to Winning The Premier League

Episode 3 - Adam Webster: My Road To The Premier League

Episode 2 - Andre Ayew: Dealing With Pressure & Expectations

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