Gareth Barry

I'm not one to plan, but I'm always positive about things. ”

I feel at Manchester City I will get the chance to play regularly in my best position and play a big part in a successful side. ”

Reports you read in the paper, you never know how true they are. ”

I've got three brothers and two sisters. Dad was a plumber who worked really hard to support six children, and Mum was busy at home. The four brothers shared a room, a bunk bed on each side. It wasn't luxurious. ”

Confidence and momentum are huge in sport. ”

You do hear a lot about 'player power,' but I'm one of those who believes the manager is there to take control, to be in charge. ”

It was Martin O'Neill who said, 'You're a central midfielder.' He put faith into players. He was very clever at getting into players' heads, leaving little remarks to make me believe more. The players at Villa all moved up another level under him. ”

In 2012, we had just won the league with City, and I was really high on confidence going into the Euros when I picked up an injury, which meant I couldn't go. ”

British managers tend to be a bit more hands off, let you express yourself in training. ”

When somebody mentioned yoga for the first time, I just looked at it and thought, 'This isn't for me; it's for an older woman down at the health club trying to get supple.' But I thought, 'No, I can see the benefits there. I've got to embrace it.' ”