Former Arsenal and QPR striker Jay Bothroyd has admitted he underachieved during his career because of a bad attitude.
The Islington-born Bothroyd, now 36 and playing in Japan, was regarded as one of Arsenal’s brightest prospects when he was at the club.
He left without making a first-team appearance for the Gunners but got his career back on track for a spell and played for England in 2010, during a successful spell with Cardiff City.
But he failed to deliver after returning to London with QPR, where he made very little impact during a two-year spell at Loftus Road.
And Bothroyd, who also had a spell at Charlton, has acknowledged in an interview with Sky Sports that his attitude was wrong.
“I came from quite a rough area in Islington. I grew up around crime and violence,” he said.
“My goal was always to play at the highest level; in the Premier League, represent my country and do as well as I can. For me I’ve achieved my goals.
“If I’m honest, probably for my potential I underachieved, but that was because of my attitude when I was younger.
“I had a bad attitude. I’m not afraid to say that. As you get older you put things in perspective and you have a look at yourself a bit more.”