Di Canio: I'm a perfectionist

Paolo Di Canio says he strives for football perfection.  

The Italian, who scored a cheeky chipped penalty in West Ham's opening day Premiership defeat at Liverpool, admits he is always trying to prove himself.

And Di Canio says he will always give 100 per cent because of his sheer love of football.

He told the Sunday People: "I live for football. Each day I spend 16 hours thinking about the game which brings complete stress to my life as I worry about being the best.

"I try to be perfect at everything and although I know that is not possible I am completely dedicated to the pursuit of perfection.

"This is the best job in the world and I want to live every moment of it. Maybe that is why I play football on the edge. The passion has been inside me since I was young.

"I come from a very bad area of Rome where you must be strong to survive and this is my way, my secret. Each day I must strive to improve and even in training I apply the same pressure on myself as if I am in a match situation.

"If I miss I cannot laugh it off. Laughing about football is for the garden in a kick-about with my daughter."

He continued: "If I fail I do not become sad, I become angry. When I lose this attitude I will stop playing.

"I am no Maradona or Zidane but if I am at the top of my game I am a special player and I give something to West Ham."