Allardyce plans additional help for players

Monday, 4 December, 2017 155comments  |  Jump to most recent
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New Everton boss Sam Allardyce says that he would like to bring in a sport psychologist to help those players who have struggled so much to find their form this season, including new signings like Gylfi Sigurdsson.

The Iceland international has scored two goals in the space of a week, a signal that he is finally getting to grips with life with the Blues and the burden of expectation that has come with his massive £45m price tag.

Sigurdsson finally moved to Goodison Park following protracted negotiations with Swansea City during which he missed almost all of the pre-season friendlies as did not feature in the Welsh club's season opener.

Allardyce, who oversaw a 2-0 win in his first game in charge in which Sigurdsson scored, says he understands the midfielder's situation.

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“It is a big club,” he explained. “No disrespect to Swansea, you are playing on a bigger stage so you have to have a greater mentality to come out and produce because the demand is higher to play for Everton.

“All fans want entertaining but they want to see a level of ability, too. It is big pressure and a lot of the other players who have come from abroad because of the start of the season, [and] the Europa League, it has not given them a real opportunity to settle in and be able to produce at Everton so that is a disappointment.”

“Gylfi came so late because of the ongoing saga of ‘How much will he be and will Swansea let him go? Will they or won't they?'” he said. “In that time he wasn't really training with the first team and it wasn't happening for him in terms of a full pre-season. So he is on catch-up.”

Sigurdsson isn't the only one of Everton's summer signings who has had trouble adapting. Neither Davy Klaassen nor Sandro Ramirez have been able to get into the team for the past three games while Michael Keane has found consistency and confidence hard to come by.

Indeed, morale has been an issue for much of the squad during what has been a difficult period for the club generally.

“I would actually try and find them a sports psychologist because I think that will be very important,” Allardyce continued. “If the brain is clear and positive before the lads go out, then they produce a positive performance. If the brain is clouded and doubtful, you don't see the player produce the abilities he has got.

“That has obviously been seen on a couple of occasions here with the lack of confidence from the lack of results. But there is nothing better than two wins on the trot.”

Quotes sourced from The Guardian



Reader Comments (155)

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Michael Penley
1 Posted 04/12/2017 at 07:30:30
That actually sounds perfectly sensible. Who would have thought, an Everton manager taking rational, logical measures to solve a problem? Is this the School of Science coming back?
Anthony Hawkins
2 Posted 04/12/2017 at 07:36:01
I'm amazed a sports psychologist isn't already employed by the club – it would explain why players are struggling.
Rick Pattinson
3 Posted 04/12/2017 at 07:36:10
Think it'll be a good move.

Unfortunately Paul Daniels passed away a few years ago.

Mark Bruce
4 Posted 04/12/2017 at 07:36:36
I'm actually stunned if they don't already have a sports psychologist.
�ystein Heggelund
5 Posted 04/12/2017 at 07:37:15
Sensible indeed. What strikes me as a bit of a shock, though, is that this implies the club does NOT make use of sports psychologists on a regular basis. That has become so common in top level sports these days that I simply took it for granted that an ambitious Premier League club would routinely make use of it.

Succeeding at this level is about all-round professionalism – from the physical aspect of training, to recovery, sleep, nutrition and of course, the mental dimension.

Michael Mcloughlin
6 Posted 04/12/2017 at 07:41:35
Now there is a statement given all the negative publicity Sam has had since becoming our manager. Sam's School of Science returns to Goodison.

I think it's an excellent move to bring in a sports psychologist to Everton. Not just for the current confidence problems but to create a consistent winning mentality.

Richard Leeming
7 Posted 04/12/2017 at 07:47:22
Makes absolute sense, and as mentioned, why not already??

Look at the way Steve Peters got the likes Vicky Pendleton and other in British Cycling and Team Sky working. Again, we're lagging behind the rest in this regard – the RS had Peters working for them years ago, although his focus was mostly on stopping a rabid dog from biting other players!

Ian Brandes
8 Posted 04/12/2017 at 07:48:20
Will the sports psychologist also be talking to a certain Mr Walsh asking why he bought an expensive bunch of duds in the first place?

Seriously though, can't fault Sam for wanting to get to the bottom of the problems afflicting some members of our team.

Let us hope they get their heads together before the coming weekend!

Joe O'Brien
9 Posted 04/12/2017 at 07:58:23
Maybe it might help to get rid of that mental block when seem to have when it comes to playing the RedShite.
Rob Baker
10 Posted 04/12/2017 at 08:08:52
He is wrong about one thing, there is something better than two wins on the trot, 3 wins on the trot or 13 in MCFC's case
James Morgan
11 Posted 04/12/2017 at 08:32:49
Every little measure to get that bit extra out of the players is good in my eyes. Sam gets a bizarre rep as some sort of dinosaur in football when he is anything but.
Jason Wilkinson
12 Posted 04/12/2017 at 08:43:12
Instill a fear of losing to the RS please. Sick of getting spanked by that smug Panzer driving twat.

If we do lose, I want to see our players hurting – not chatting with RS players about where in Wilmslow or Poynton they're going to meet up later.

Mark Dunford
13 Posted 04/12/2017 at 09:02:05
Seems a very sensible move and – as others have said – I'm really surprised there isn't someone in this role already and I'd be interested to know how far the brief stretches.

Makes you wonder what support is offered to incoming players as they move to larger stage in a new city. Most are young – some, like Lookman, are teenagers, single men with new-found wealth, no local contacts and time to fill around a high pressure job with high expectations.

Kim Vivian
14 Posted 04/12/2017 at 09:04:35
About time too if we are lacking in this area but I don't quite get this tbh.

I am sure we have a psychology team on board – both for the first team and the academy – but have we lost these guys or is Sam saying we need someone better, or is he redefining the role somehow? If anyone can shed any light, please do so.

I (not uniquely) have advocated consistently for a top sports psychologist to help with our mental frailties which manifest themselves most evidently whenever we play our derby games. Someone of the ilk of Steve Peters (David Brailsford lauded him as one of his best recruits into British Cycling back when they were formed) would work wonders with the squad – starting with Ross if we can keep him, never mind Sigurdsson, Klaassen, Sandro et al. Indeed the whole squad would benefit.

It will be interesting to see how this pans out. As I say, I thought we had someone and would be staggered if not but it is excellent that Sam is identifying these needs.

I remain to be convinced about Sam but I am starting to believe with some of the things being said that he does have ambitions on our stage other than a quick pay cheque.

Iain Johnston
15 Posted 04/12/2017 at 09:18:38
Interesting...

https://www.foxestalk.co.uk/topic/111088-interview-with-sports-psychologist-who-was-sacked-by-ranieri/

Oscar Huglin
16 Posted 04/12/2017 at 09:20:35
Is anyone else really starting to like Big Sam?
Michael Nisbet
17 Posted 04/12/2017 at 09:34:42
No. It'll take a lot more than one win for me to warm to Allardyce.
Phil Walling
18 Posted 04/12/2017 at 09:37:44
Call me a dinosaur – as you will – but a kick up the arse might be more efficacious given some of the performances we've seen this season!
John Dean
19 Posted 04/12/2017 at 09:40:22
Maybe the psychologist will help Sam; it's only his lack of self-belief that stops him being perfect.
Stan Schofield
20 Posted 04/12/2017 at 09:41:56
What Allardyce has said is perfectly sensible. We have a very good squad of players with great ability, and it's common sense that they play to their best when they have clarity and confidence. Just like in any substantial profession.
Stan Schofield
21 Posted 04/12/2017 at 09:46:20
Phil @18: You're right that kicks up the arse are needed from time to time, but also in conjunction with encouragement, guidance, organisation, and iron discipline, again like in any proper profession.
Phil Walling
22 Posted 04/12/2017 at 09:49:03
Hundred grand a week and these darlings need psycho-babble to motivate them? Bah!
Derek Knox
24 Posted 04/12/2017 at 09:54:29
Okay Phil, you are a dinosaur, you can't be doing things like that in this day and age!

Basically, that is what Shankly (I know) and Alex Ferguson did, not placing the proverbial boot firmly on the little possum's posteriors, but psychologically getting them to believe they were invincible.

I seem to remember Bobby Robson, when at Ipswich as Manager, using a Sports Psychologist too, I do remember him being one of the first to bring in foreign players, Thjaessen and Muhren.

So not exactly innovative of Sam, but a welcome addition to sorting out our lot.

If he has any spare time on his hands, (the Sports Psychologist) maybe he could devote some time to ToffeeWebbers!

John Dean
25 Posted 04/12/2017 at 10:01:39
I listened to a psychologist at a business seminar 20 years ago who was speaking on the benefits of positive thinking and he told us that he was working for Bolton helping their players.

He mentioned Colin Hendry as being a player whose confidence had been undermined and he was helping him back. So Sam was leading the way back then and I agree with James (#11).

Stan Schofield
26 Posted 04/12/2017 at 10:06:12
Derek @24: Maybe for other ToffeeWebbers, but not for me. I'm fine now.
Phil Walling
27 Posted 04/12/2017 at 10:18:19
Why had Sam undermined Hendry's confidence in the first place, then?

I'm only having a bit of fun with this one but I don't think Mrs Drury did much for Hoddle's England or RS Peters inspired Woy's mob at the last World Cup, did they?

Brian Williams
28 Posted 04/12/2017 at 10:30:00
Psychologist on ToffeeWeb?

I'd give the guy three days on here and he'd either be able to retire on the theses he could write or he'd get carted out dribbling in an "I love me" jacket!

Len Hawkins
29 Posted 04/12/2017 at 10:33:26
The last two managers should have had psychiatric help to rid them of the delusion that they knew what they were doing!

Perhaps there is a chance of getting Paul McKenna in before the trip across the park to get the players thinking anything in red is just a nonentity – the woodlice of the football world there to be crushed underfoot.

Come on, Sam, you know it makes sense.

Nigel Gregson
30 Posted 04/12/2017 at 10:37:17
Big Sam is supposed to have led the way in Sabermetrics.

http://westhamfootball.blogspot.sg/2011/11/big-sams-use-of-sabermetrics-at-west.html

He's no dinosaur. (I am still shocked that he's our manager though – will we ever win anything?)

Brian Williams
31 Posted 04/12/2017 at 10:39:41
Yeh Nigel. We'll win the derby at the weekend and the FA Cup this season.

NUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURSE!!!

Derek Thomas
32 Posted 04/12/2017 at 10:43:02
Aaaaad *snaps fingers* you're back in the room. Oumar looks up a bit dazed, the Manager slaps him on the shoulder... "Go out there and rip 'em a new one, Dixie!" he says.

Tell you what though, this Svengali will be a goodun if he can convince Deeney he's a £40 Million player.

Phil Walling
33 Posted 04/12/2017 at 10:48:04
For the ignorant buggers on here who thought football was about kicking a ball about better than the other team, Wiki tells us that Sabermetrics is 'the empirical analysis of Basketball –especially stats that measure in-game activity.'

Amazing what they taught at Dudley Secondary Modern, eh?

James Marshall
34 Posted 04/12/2017 at 10:55:12
Really? I know we support a stuffy old-fashioned club, but have they really not been using psychologists until now? Jesus, we really are behind the times.

I've watched a few documentaries on how clubs like Real Madrid and Bayern are run, and we're like a Boy Scouts outfit by comparison.

Lee Brownlie
35 Posted 04/12/2017 at 11:06:24
Phil Walling.. Hoddle's Mrs Drury was a sodding spiritualist, not a psycholgist!! That's why the England players reacted with 'wtf?' and it all went thereafter the shape of a particularly spooky pear, probably blamed for not tasting very good because of being a 'bad apple' in a previous incarnation!! (Sorry, lol.)

As for Rick Pattinson... fair comment on Paul Daniels, as we'd actually need Irene Drury to contact him in the first place! Also, I'm not sure any pep talk or therapy sessions the players could do with should start with a squeaky, 'This is a football, is it not? Say yes, Paul!'...

Lee Brownlie
36 Posted 04/12/2017 at 11:22:10
James Marshall... isn't it the only point worth considering, now, that we are hopefully getting one in now... not that we didn't before and have therefore been behind the times... moan... moan.

"We're Boy Scouts compared to Real and Barca'" – no shit?! Spilt milk and all that, yeah?

Onwards and upwards, TOFFEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!!!!!

Ernie Baywood
37 Posted 04/12/2017 at 11:45:14
Like others on this thread, I'm surprised we don't already have one on the books.

I also find it strange that he'd mention it in an interview. More of a 'behind closed doors' kind of thing.

Ray Roche
38 Posted 04/12/2017 at 11:54:31
James Marshall (#34),

Just because Allardyce has mentioned the fact the he is going to introduce psychologists under his management does not mean that previous managers haven't used them in the past. But hey, let's not miss an opportunity to give EFC a dig in the ribs.

When you think of the psycho babble that Martinez trotted out – he must have got that from somewhere?

Dennis Stevens
39 Posted 04/12/2017 at 11:57:18
He's right about them playing with a clear, positive brain – especially Ross – there's been too much thinking & not enough doing!
Michael Coffey
40 Posted 04/12/2017 at 12:01:15
In the past the great managers were motivators first and tacticians second. Money has to my mind sapped the ability of managers to motivate, hence the endless debates about tactics stats and formations – which I personally find dull and largely incomprehensible – and the rise of the footy shrink.
Jay Wood
41 Posted 04/12/2017 at 12:11:44
Like others, I raised an eyebrow at the implication of Sam's words, that we don't already have a sports psychologist in situ.

Rather than rely on just mistaken assumption I did some digging and found this link on the official club site.

Link

It would appear we do have a psychology team, but as the profile descriptions mention they seem to be exclusively assigned to the academy set up.

I am astonished that a sports psychologist, if not employed on a full-time basis, is not available in just an ad hoc or part-time role to the senior squad.

Frank Wade
42 Posted 04/12/2017 at 12:29:18
Like others, I can't believe we didn't have one before. Hell, I've even read a few books to help my golf (eh don't ask!). I heard Carragher after the Man City match yesterday on Sky talk about everyone's inferiority complex playing the away derbies. He reckoned that because Everton players would greet him with a hello in the tunnel, we weren't up for it psychologically and they had no bother beating us.

He also said that he would talk to the ref before the match and ask him to let a few tackles go early on for both sides. He knew he could get away for a few early (insert as appropriate tackles/assaults etc). On hearing this, I recalled a dreadful assault on Pienaar by Carragher at the start of a derby.

Some players, like Carragher, wouldn't need a psychologist to get psyched up, nor would the likes of Coleman, Rooney etc but I think several of our players including Ross could well benefit.

Off topic, interested to see very little interest in the Delph Dive yesterday. Google tells me there is a Delph Diver Centre in Lancashire. Maybe Oumar will have one named after him as well.

Bob Parrington
43 Posted 04/12/2017 at 12:30:26
I'm amazed that a professional club like Everton has not had this in place already for the 1st Team Squad for donkey's years!
Tony Cunningham
44 Posted 04/12/2017 at 12:37:23
Phil Walling (#22), have you ever performed better or worse at something at different times? Maybe work, maybe sport or maybe just in life? I know I sometimes get affected by different influences which can affect my work/sports.

Imagine if the club could have a member of staff who could make sure these £100 grand a week players stay at the top of their game more often and identify the best ways to motivate different players, such as which ones do respond to a proverbial kick and which ones need a bit of fluffy guidance.

Steve Bingham
45 Posted 04/12/2017 at 12:38:05
Oscar at #16. No! Michael at #17 – I am in total agreement with you.
Peter Roberts
46 Posted 04/12/2017 at 12:51:31
Good move. Get in Steve Peters, if memory serves he was brought in by Brenda over the park and they nearly won the title that year, before Stevies slip-ups and Crystanbul.
Derek Knox
47 Posted 04/12/2017 at 12:54:45
Stan, @26, well that's it sorted then, you can be his assistant, I would suggest watching "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" as a preliminary training aid for the unenviable task ahead.

The film title by the way, has nothing whatsoever to do with the useless character Koeman brought in from Southampton.

I'm just off to the ducks to feed the park.

Help, it's started already!

Paul A Smith
49 Posted 04/12/2017 at 13:24:53
It would be better if we could train them to get in other players heads.

Tell Salah his Mrs was born a man. Tell them Alex Ferguson wins £7 million if Everton lose. I fancy 0-0 classic this week. Praying for it in fact 😣

Paul A Smith
50 Posted 04/12/2017 at 13:31:42
Anyone giving this sports science a wobble needs to look into it. The psychology isn't to simply motivate its there so players believe they can overcome fears and cut out negative effects.

The game moved on years ago and before Allardyce was our manager I really liked his talks on the aspects of the game and its science.< This is the side of the game I would love to be more educated in.

Soren Moyer
51 Posted 04/12/2017 at 13:49:28
So, we didn't have one then! Unbelievable. This club is being run by fecking amateurs.
Lee Brownlie
52 Posted 04/12/2017 at 13:58:49
Ernie Baywood – So, you think bringing in a sports psychologist should be a 'behind closed doors kind of thing' rather than something to be mentioned in an actual interview?

What, like doing something which might help the team is an embarrassment to be kept quiet?

Our lads have been a bit lacking in confidence is (hopefully) all!.. they aren't all suddenly the fucking nutty cousins locked in the attic, never to be referred to out loud again, ffs!!!

Brian Cleveland
53 Posted 04/12/2017 at 14:01:03
More surprising than us not having a sports psychologist is Jason's comment (12)... "panzer driving twat"? Please, come on, that is offensive and racist. We can hate him because he is a RS manager, but that is just racist...
Simon Lloyd
54 Posted 04/12/2017 at 14:04:09
Hopefully the one that we get is more clued up on client confidentiality than the one he used at Bolton 20 years ago. (See John's post at #25)
Lee Brownlie
55 Posted 04/12/2017 at 14:13:14
Brian (53)/ re Jason (12).. Yes a pretty snide racist remark, there, Jason.. but I'm guessing thats where you're at to actually post it publicly as a rant like that! Personally, I'm not offended (on anyone else's behalf) as there's a bit too much of it about to even be arsed reacting overly to what actually sounds EVEN MORESO just patently dumb than it is racist!!
Frank Wade
56 Posted 04/12/2017 at 14:21:50
Iain (#15). Thanks for posting that link, very interesting. I can see there are a lot of sceptics here but take one example.

Go back to the Southampton game and picture Ademola Lookman getting a ball on our left wing in the 2nd half. We're losing, he just has Cedric in front of him to beat and he has a clear run at the end line and can get a dangerous cross in. He takes a look and turns back and plays the easy option ball backward into midfield.

Maybe I am wrong here and he was following orders, but it's possible that a few sessions with a Psychologist before that game, could have convinced him he could easily take on and do Cedric for pace??? If the Psychologist could improve performance by 1% it's worth it. It's about belief, like this thread.

Apologies for 'predictive' typos in my earlier post.

Steve Bird
57 Posted 04/12/2017 at 14:23:37
Sports Psychologist has got to be a more constructive and proactive action than a huge host of ToffeeWebbers telling players to piss off and never wear the shirt again??
Ray Roche
58 Posted 04/12/2017 at 14:36:20
I feel sure that Everton had a psychologist working for them under Moyes, along with Sports Scientists, fitness experts, including one from a Rugby League, background. Didn't these all get the bullet under Martinez which led to all the accusations of second rate, easy training etc.?
John Roberts
59 Posted 04/12/2017 at 14:48:10
Hey Sam, if that approach works maybe suggest a Business Psychologist for the bods in the boardroom 😉
Paul Birmingham
60 Posted 04/12/2017 at 14:50:14
Let's hope so.
John Wilson
61 Posted 04/12/2017 at 14:55:57
We are only allowed 5 posts per article so is anyone interested in opening up the 'live forum' to discuss this article or sports psychology aspect?

Sam is using what is called a holistic approach (look at problems from every angle and not just psychology), to help players play better. I notice Sam calls Everton players 'staff'..which seems to be 'inclusive'...ie not just temporary players but that they're a part of Everton. He also uses 'we' 'us' to describe the EFC. I think this is all psychological too. Psych friendly to our players.

The other point, Jamie Carag. (for RS) said in the tunnels he would not talk to Everton players unless after the game and RS won. He said EFC players showed too much respect to RS even though at the time EGC were only a few below, ie 4th versus 5th or 6th place. Jamie said, EFC players wanted to talk to LFC as though RS were above them.

Stan Schofield
62 Posted 04/12/2017 at 14:57:05
Brian @53: I'm not being pedantic mate, but isn't it nationalist rather than racist? Klopp is no doubt of the same Northern European stock as a lot of scousers, but he's of a different nation. I don't think making nationalist remarks is offensive, because the nationalist attributes being referred to are man-made. Panzers were developed by the Germans, and damn good designs they are too!
John Wilson
63 Posted 04/12/2017 at 15:02:36
Race is defined as: "Each of the major divisions of humankind, having distinct physical characteristics... 1.2 A group of people sharing the same culture, history, language, etc.; an ethnic group." (Oxford Dictionary).
John Wilson
64 Posted 04/12/2017 at 15:05:35
http://ToffeeWeb.com/season/17-18/news/35907.html to discuss this article in more than 5 posts per TW-er.
John Wilson
65 Posted 04/12/2017 at 15:06:53
http://ToffeeWeb.com/comment/live/
Paul Newton
66 Posted 04/12/2017 at 15:08:30
This highlights the lack of support for the new players given by Koeman. It shows that he, not Sam, is the dinosaur. That man did such damage to the club. Ironically given all the bad publicity around Sam, he is proving to be a far more aware and up to date manager than Koeman ever was.
Phil Walling
67 Posted 04/12/2017 at 15:13:22
Can't we have a laugh on here anymore? A tongue in the cheek remark evokes so much indignation, you'd think the shrink would make the slightest difference.

One good thing about the appointment is that we'll know who to blame if we do lose on Sunday!

Pete Clarke
68 Posted 04/12/2017 at 15:13:42
Call me cynical but got a feeling Big Sam just happens to know a good psychologist. Old pals act and all that.

He's been in the game long enough to let them know in his very plain English speak that they are all very well paid athletes in a very well paid industry playing for a great club (once) so get on that pitch and do as your told.

I know the game has moved on a bit over the past twenty years or so but isn't that part of his job to motivate them and get them geared up for every game??

John Wilson
69 Posted 04/12/2017 at 15:26:16
Reading a book on psychology doesn't make you a psychology expert... but studying it formally on an academic course may do so.
Brian Williams
70 Posted 04/12/2017 at 15:31:06
We can hate him because he is a RS manager .................

Isn't that clubist?

Barry Jones
71 Posted 04/12/2017 at 15:35:43
Phil Walling, (#18) you are a dinosaur. Bend over and feel some leather.
Barry Jones
72 Posted 04/12/2017 at 15:37:18
Just joking, Phil. :)
Barry Jones
73 Posted 04/12/2017 at 15:39:11
Maybe we can buy the psychologist a big pair of Doc Martins and kill two birds with one stone.
Jay Harris
74 Posted 04/12/2017 at 15:39:31
Cue the appointment of Ken Way as Steve Walsh continues to exercise his influence at Goodison Park.
Len Hawkins
75 Posted 04/12/2017 at 15:40:38
Okay... so Klopp is a Sauerkrauter.

Or is that foodist?

Brian Cleveland
76 Posted 04/12/2017 at 15:41:22
Would it have been better if I'd said xenophobic? If nobody else thinks it was a bit low then fine, I'm not trying to be awkward, I just felt it was a little insensitive and only likely to reinforce rather than reduce nationalistic differences.

We can leave it at that and talk about football instead.

(Perhaps I need a shrink because I'm not up for the fight?!)

Peter Laing
77 Posted 04/12/2017 at 15:41:24
Pete, I think your assessment of Allardyce's intentions concerning the employment of a psychologist is rather simplistic and outdated. The days of a Manager throwing tea cups, kicking football boots across the dressing room and acting like a sergeant major are well and truly consigned to the history books.

The Premier League is about elite performance and elite athletes having not just the physical prowess, skill and aptitude but also mental and psychological strength to cope with the demands. We are dealing with multi million pound assets that need nurturing and support – particularly through injury, loss of form and crisis as we have just witnessed.

Gerard, Joey Barton and Sturridge to my knowledge have all employed the use of a sports psychologist / mentor and if it helps performance who can argue with it?

Barry Jones
78 Posted 04/12/2017 at 15:58:37
I think we should go the whole hog and get a full psychiatric team in. We need to get to the bottom of all of the madness over the last several years.
John Smith
79 Posted 04/12/2017 at 16:01:31
Ego maniac, Roberto Martinez, refused to hire a sport psychologist, and we never really had one after that. Please note.
Don Alexander
80 Posted 04/12/2017 at 16:04:02
Knowing Kenwright I half expect the players to be sent into a room occupied by Duncan Ferguson sitting there in a flowing gown with his eyes closed, white ring hole-re-enforcers on his eyelids, saying "Patience young grasshopper"!
Dave Abrahams
81 Posted 04/12/2017 at 16:06:11
I think psychology has always been around in football. Going back many tears ago, Bertie Auld the former Celtic player was manager of a Scottish team. One of his players got injured just before half time, the trainer went on and had a look at him and gave him some treatment, telling him he'd see him properly during half time.

When he got back to the dug out, Bertie asked the trainer "How bad is he?"

The trainer said "He's not too bad but doesn't seem to know who he is," Bertie said "Well when he goes out for the second half, tell him he's fuckin' Pele and he might score a fuckin' hat trick!"

Tony Heron
82 Posted 04/12/2017 at 16:09:44
Dave @ 81. Heard that before mate but still made me laugh, cracker.
Thomas Lennon
83 Posted 04/12/2017 at 16:16:48
I wonder if one or two in this thread are confusing the practice of analysing and attempting to change behaviours (psychology https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychology) with the totally different clinical practice aimed at treating mental disorders & illness (psychiatry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychiatry)?

By the looks of it, the currently employed psychologists are scientists rather than clinicians http://www.evertonfc.com/content/club/academy/pear/psychology-and-wellbeing/meet-the-team

Mike Dolan
84 Posted 04/12/2017 at 16:20:30
Ashley, my grasshopper, the ball is like a little rabbit should you wait for it to run passed you or go skipping after it so you can get close and kick it.
Raymond Fox
85 Posted 04/12/2017 at 16:28:18
It's a sensible idea which at worst can't do any harm.

What about the fans though, I know I could do with one plus throw in a psychiatrist!

Stan Schofield
86 Posted 04/12/2017 at 16:36:58
Dave@81: Brilliant. Trouble is now, after this psychologist has finished with them, we'll have a Spartacus situation. I am Pele. No, I am Pele. No, I am Pele.
Mike Dolan
87 Posted 04/12/2017 at 16:37:57
Years ago I asked Peter Thompson what Bill Shankly was like to play for he said that once before a derby game he pulled Thompson to one side and said, "Son, I just saw Alex Parker (I think) doubled over throwing up, he's just a nervous wreck because he remembers what you did to him last time."

So Thompson said he ran out of the tunnel like Roy of the Rovers and it was only after the game that he looked back and remembered that, in the game that Shankly was referring to, Parker didn't even give him a sniff of the ball.

Psychology has a place in every big organization.

Des Farren
88 Posted 04/12/2017 at 16:57:14
The statement not only singles out Sigurdsson but other players who came from abroad at start of the season.

If any players are in need of help on this front, I would put Baines, Jagielka, Williams, Schneiderlin and Mirallas at the top of my list. They are all classic examples of players with confidence issues.

Kim Vivian
89 Posted 04/12/2017 at 17:01:56
I was amused by the headline photo which shows a pair of quite deranged footballers waiting to be sectioned rather than a little psychological mentoring to enhance their game.

Reading through this thread it's good to see a few expletives being used (for emphasis and amusement rather than personal denigration – except of all things RS of course). It was all getting a bit sugary yesterday!

Phil Bellis
90 Posted 04/12/2017 at 17:13:26
No more than Scouser, Len (75)
Minik Hansen
91 Posted 04/12/2017 at 17:43:22
Fans need psychology too, to get behind the squad. More of that please.
Amit Vithlani
92 Posted 04/12/2017 at 17:49:03
This reminds me of an oldie but a goldie:

Two elderly couples were enjoying friendly conversation when one of the men asked the other, "Fred, how was the memory clinic you went to last month?"

"Outstanding," Fred replied. "They taught us all the latest psychological techniques – visualization, association – it made a huge difference for me."

"That's great! What was the name of the clinic?"

Fred went blank. He thought and thought, but couldn't remember. Then a smile broke across his face and he asked, "What do you call that red flower with the long stem and thorns?"

"You mean a rose?"

"Yes, that's it!" He turned to his wife. . ."Rose, what was the name of that clinic?"

Andy Bonner
93 Posted 04/12/2017 at 18:58:52
Currently how many Premier League managers can, regardless of circumstances, say they have a 100% record of wins for both club and country?
Kim Vivian
94 Posted 04/12/2017 at 19:16:10
Fuckin hell. 3rd round rehearsal on Sunday, then.
Sandra Williams
95 Posted 04/12/2017 at 19:17:51
Fixed, fixed, fixed!!!! It must be!!
Geoff Lambert
96 Posted 04/12/2017 at 19:18:23
RS away ffs
Tony Abrahams
97 Posted 04/12/2017 at 19:20:04
Do for me. We only ever beat them in the early rounds, but maybe our new physiologist can change this!
Ron Sear
98 Posted 04/12/2017 at 19:21:54
Somebody must know a competent witch who knows how to lift the curse on this club.
Mark Tanton
99 Posted 04/12/2017 at 19:24:02
A trip to Mordor in the new year! Bring it on, Big Sam will have us chugging along nicely Be then and he won’t be afraid in the slightest.
Brian Williams
100 Posted 04/12/2017 at 19:25:35
Quiz question of the future I reckon:

"In which season did Everton beat Liverpool three times, two of them away from home?"

Jay Woods
101 Posted 04/12/2017 at 19:26:57
Tear into them. Sweat blood, shed blood. Whatever. Just don't give them an inch to breathe. And that applies to every tie we play them from now on. Sick to death of the lying down and our players licking their players' bootlaces in the tunnel pre-match.
Steve Barr
102 Posted 04/12/2017 at 19:27:42
At last, a bit of good luck in the draw. The Cup's got our name written all over it!

Mark Tanton
103 Posted 04/12/2017 at 19:27:57
Let's be clear – that's an absolute pain in the arse for them too.
Michael Coffey
104 Posted 04/12/2017 at 19:30:56
Brian (#100) – 1984-85: 1-0 at Anfield and Wemble !
Gordon Crawford
105 Posted 04/12/2017 at 19:33:54
We need the psychologist in now. Hoping we don’t role over in both games.
Brian Williams
106 Posted 04/12/2017 at 19:35:31
True Michael. Should have stipulated two of them at Anfield as Wembley was like a second home to us during that period!
Jay Wood
107 Posted 04/12/2017 at 19:35:48
I wonder if the Liverpool-Everton game will be selected as one of the live televised games...?

Bring it on! Gerrinto'em!

Damian Wilde
108 Posted 04/12/2017 at 19:36:04
Anyone know the generic Everton e-mail address? I may e-mail them my cv and offer my services 😊
Brian Williams
109 Posted 04/12/2017 at 19:38:21
Damian, I think you're on "auto delete" same as every other ToffeeWeber!!
Darren Hind
110 Posted 04/12/2017 at 19:39:07
Does psychology work for team events? I know someone will be able to give an example of success, but if all clubs employ them Surely there has to be a lot more of them failing to deliver than succeeding?


Ray Roche
111 Posted 04/12/2017 at 19:55:02
When my wife left I was sad, but since then I've got a dog, bought a motorbike, shagged three women and blown a grand on drink and drugs.
.
.
.
.
She'll go fuckin' mental when she gets home from work...


Weeellll...I thought of you might need cheering up.

Paul Kelly
112 Posted 04/12/2017 at 19:56:58
Class Ray, pure class.
Geoff Lambert
113 Posted 04/12/2017 at 20:17:35
Ray I thought surely not.


He hasn't gone and bought a dog

Damian Wilde
114 Posted 04/12/2017 at 20:26:55
Brian, I am actually a Dr/Clinical Psychologist, could offer them something :D A few hundred thousand a year would do :D
Phil Walling
115 Posted 04/12/2017 at 20:30:57
Darren @ 110. Does psychology work for team events?

In his 'after dinner' days Bally used to tell a tale about the Catt calling in a shrink from Liverpool Uni after a very poor run of results (1971-72 I think) ahead of an away game at league leaders, Leeds.

Apparently, the guy focused on 'positive thinking' and insisted ' if you want it enough you have to believe'. After a very physical battle with Bremner and Norman' Bites yer Legs,' Leeds won 3-2.

Returning to the dressing room, total silence prevailed until a naked Westy stood up and with a scowl screamed "Right then, who was the bastard that thought we was gonna lose?"

Ray Roche
116 Posted 04/12/2017 at 20:54:27
Geoff, that's funnier than the joke.
Jerome Shields
117 Posted 04/12/2017 at 21:06:46
Great photo.
Francis Gibson
118 Posted 04/12/2017 at 23:30:41
Is this our shrink?

Link

Laurie Hartley
119 Posted 05/12/2017 at 00:12:02
Dear Dr Phil (#115) – it most certainly does. The Australian Cricket team are past masters at it. They start psyching themselves up via the media (former players) about 4 weeks before a test match ball is bowled.

The English cricket team arrives blissfully unaware that before a ball is bowled the Aussies already have the series won in their heads.

The RS use the same tactics – note Carragher's tweet about the cup draw. Their mindset is win any derby and they can beat anyone – it sets them up mentally for anything.

There are a couple of ways to deal with this – this is how the All Blacks do it:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yiKFYTFJ_kw

The other is to have the a manager and individuals on the pitch that have the required mental resilience to overcome the psychological warfare. I am of the opinion that Messrs Allardyce and Rooney have this. The fact that they both know how to beat them (because they have) is a big plus.

Jay Wood
120 Posted 05/12/2017 at 00:50:32
Francis @ 118.

Thanks for your link. I haven't seen any confirmation of this appointment elsewhere, but it is a very good one, if people care to do their research.

Mind you, others might resent his RS connections (he worked with Brenda over the park when they run City close to the title that year) as per Sammy Lee.

Ernie Baywood
121 Posted 05/12/2017 at 01:58:52
Lee (#52), As soon as I posted I figured someone would make the leap to mental health. We're talking about sports psychology here, not mental illnesses. I'm certain that the players' needs are being addressed in that area, particularly given Lennon's issues.

I completely agree with doing it. It just strikes me that publicly announcing a loss of confidence to the extent of needing professional help to overcome the issue is a strange approach. Yes, we can all see it but, for me, you address player confidence in house.

Otherwise it comes across a bit more as "look how smart I am".

Don Alexander
122 Posted 05/12/2017 at 02:09:08
Fair comment Ernie (#121) and you may be right, but the fact is that Finch Farm will have viewers most days and anyone, especially anyone like the former Liverpool guy/psychologist, would therefore be seen to be going in and out by "us interested by-standers", or "fans" as I prefer to call them.
John Smith
123 Posted 05/12/2017 at 07:32:37
I'm looking forward to our club offering "derisory" offers to Dour Dave for West Ham's best defenders :D
Francis Gibson
124 Posted 05/12/2017 at 10:34:07
Hi, Jay (@120) - yeah, I ran across that doing an 'Everton' twitter search this morning, and wondered what all being a Performance Director entails; certainly could be a euphemism for sports psychology therapist, I suppose? Don't know, but agree it looks like a forward-thinking appointment in any case.

And yeah again, point well taken about any RS connections and some of us getting a bit bothered by them, but these days I'm not one; we've been in such a state recently, my pride's gone walkabout and I'll accept some genuine assistance anywhere we can get it. :)

John Smith
125 Posted 05/12/2017 at 14:47:12
I want Leon Goretzka (CM), Alex Sandro (left back) for starters.
Anthony Jones
126 Posted 05/12/2017 at 19:42:48
Slow, unimaginative players need a new career, not a psychologist.

Regards the better players, isn't it for line managers to instil confidence by gaining respect for tactics and team selection?

Confidence is not a magical feeling that can be forced on grown men.

Martinez specialised in sports psychology. Enough said.

Mark Stone
127 Posted 05/12/2017 at 21:36:32
Phil Walling, Eileen Drury was a faith healer not a sport psychologist. You do you realise they aren't the same thing, right????
Mark Stone
128 Posted 05/12/2017 at 21:55:32
Anthony Jones, Roberto Martinez was a football manager who had a degree in physiotherapy, not sport psychology. In fact, Martinez has no formal training, specialism or expertise in sport psychology. He may have had a passing interest in sport psychology (although I've not read anything to that effect), but a passing interest in something doesn't equate to a specialism.

To be a sport psychologist, you require Health Professions Council (HPC) registration which requires: (1) the completion of a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited undergraduate degree; (2) a BPS accredited Masters degree orthe BPS's own Stage 1 qualification in sport and exercise psychology; then (3) the BPS's own Stage 2 qualification is sport and exercise psychology.

Combined, steps 2-3 comprise three years postgraduate training. Including the undergraduate degree, a qualified sport psychologist will start their career as an HPC-registered practitioner after a minimum 6 years training.

So no, not "enough said", because it was untrue.

Tony Abrahams
129 Posted 05/12/2017 at 22:03:07
I can't get your link Laurie (I'm tired and lazy mate) but that's a great point of view that you've got though. Everything in life is physiology, and all The Liverpudlians laughing at Allardyce, has made loads of Evertonians play right into their hands!

That's only my opinion of course, but they don't like Sam, because they know he doesn't like them. They also know he's never been scared of them, and its possibly why Carragher was advising him to “tone it down”?

Let's concentrate on Everton, and just embrace these games. John Wilson, and a couple of others seem a bit fearful, but I suppose we have been ground over and fucking out by the other crowd over the years, but I think it's time we put the boot back on the other foot now.

I should have read that piece on “the blacks” though Laurie, because they've always been my second favourite team!

Brian Williams
130 Posted 05/12/2017 at 22:19:53
Damian. #114.
You must have a field day on here!!


Damn that's six and out!

Phillip Warrington
131 Posted 05/12/2017 at 22:50:17
That's what top teams do, they leave nothing to chance, bring in a top sports psychologist, nutritionist and recovery experts. These things are the difference between good teams and really good teams, and don't get laughed at or embarrassed because players know they're at a big club when these things are the norm and not talked about.

Really surprised and disappointed these things don't already happen – aren't we suppose to be a big club? After all, we spend so much money on players and wages – what's a little more to get every ounce of performance out of the players on a regular basis?

Andy Crooks
132 Posted 05/12/2017 at 22:55:16
Jay Woods# 101, top post. The tunnel mateiness makes me want to vomit. Get fucking torn right into them. Make them fear the cup. Make them fear for their fucking lives!!!
Anthony Jones
133 Posted 05/12/2017 at 23:51:38
(#128): Wrong. Martinez was and is a great advocate of sports psychology.

Read his sprawling interviews and you will see countless examples of him falling back on sports psychology platitudes.

Moreover, he studied psychology within Business Management (within a Masters?) at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Thanks for the lecture, but I am not looking for a career change right now. Keep visualising yourself winning this argument all the same, of course.

Mark Stone
134 Posted 05/12/2017 at 00:04:55
#128: Wrong. Martinez was and is a great advocate of sports psychology.
Read his sprawling interviews and you will see countless examples of him falling back on sports psychology platitudes.

Moreover, he studied psychology within Business Management (within a Masters?) at Manchester Metropolitan University.

As above, becoming a sports psychologist is a six-year slog involving both undergraduate and postgraduate BPS accredited courses, as well as professional accreditation. Doing a psychology module within a business masters might give one a passing interest in sport psychology; it does not make one a specialist in sports psychology.

He can chat about it in interviews all he wants, he isn't now, and never has been, a specialist in sport psychology.

Anthony Jones
135 Posted 06/12/2017 at 00:19:10
#135: I state "Martinez specialised in sports psychology".

You read "Martinez is a specialist in sports psychology".

Perhaps you are projecting?

Anyway, it is quite sad that people spend so many years studying such a phony subject. You could have studied actual Medicine in 6 years.

Mark Stone
136 Posted 06/12/2017 at 00:27:14
ps: Specialising in something and being an advocate in it are entirely different things.
Mark Stone
137 Posted 06/12/2017 at 00:28:33
I'm not projecting anything, Martinez never specialised in sports psychology, he had an interest in it.
Mark Stone
138 Posted 06/12/2017 at 00:41:06
'Anyway, it is quite sad that people spend so many years studying such a phony subject. You could have studied actual Medicine in 6 years'

What a bizarre statement, I'm sure if they wanted to be medical practitioners they would have gone to university and studied medicine. I expect most probably studied sport and exercise science or psychology as an undergraduate degree, developed a passion for sports psychology and then went on to undertake further study. Hence they did it because that's the career they aspired to work in.

Those who stick at and become HPC accredited tend to do pretty well for themselves. When they sit there at the end of the day, with a good income and job satisfaction, I expect they aren't too sad that they aren't working 14-hour shifts in a highly stressful job that they didn't want in the first place.

Kristian Boyce
139 Posted 06/12/2017 at 01:26:36
As someone else said, I believe Martinez's degree was in Physiotherapy, not Psychology, but he was a bit of a psycho, so that's why there may be some confusion.

As for Allardyce, I remember when he first came to prominence with Bolton, he was a huge advocate of sports science. I seem to recall he was slightly ridiculed by the media for employing sports psychologists, using cryo-chambers and specialist dietitians for his players. It was a first for British managers to employ training methods used on the continent.

It's amusing that sports science in a key element of the game now, so he was very much ahead of his time in that sense.

Laurie Hartley
140 Posted 06/12/2017 at 05:39:29
Tony # 129 - it is worth the effort to follow that link - try this:-

All Blacks V France

Guess who won.

It seems they teach them the Haka early in New Zealand.

Welcome!!

I haven't got a clue what these lads are saying but it drum up visions of 5,000 mad Evertonians doing their own Haka at Mordor. That would rattle them.

Have we got any Kiwi Blues available on short notice for this Sunday?

David Graves
141 Posted 06/12/2017 at 10:33:52
"Anyway, it is quite sad that people spend so many years studying such a phony subject."

Complete nonsense.

The 1970s have been on the phone – they want their opinions back.

Stan Schofield
142 Posted 06/12/2017 at 11:47:24
David, I think a lot of folks are sceptical partly because of the tosh that so-called 'experts' dragged out by the media waffle about. It can give psychology (sports or otherwise) a bad rap.

Regardless of personal views and scepticism, there surely must be something in it. I think of tennis, where Andy Murray (for example) has used advice/training/mentoring from sports psychologists, to move him from a 'near the top' player to one of the best there is. The psychology of not giving in for example, where you keep playing in the same methodical way, whether you're three match points away from victory or three match points away from defeat. Where, in football, you don't panic and just keep on playing methodically, not giving in, in the face of possible defeat.

It must be very difficult to do that as a professional sportsman, as it is to maintain a 'methodical and cool head' in other professional disciplines when you're under stress or other pressures. So surely some systematic training or advice here is important.

Ernie Baywood
143 Posted 06/12/2017 at 12:48:50
I listen to a series of golf audiobooks by a sports psychologist by the name of Bob Rotella. His impact is acknowledged by the likes of Tom Kite, Davis Love III, and Padraig Harrington.

If it's good enough for them.

I'd recommend his audiobooks to any Toffeeweb golfers out there.

Stan Schofield
144 Posted 06/12/2017 at 16:44:47
Ernie, that's interesting. I recently took up golf for the first time. First game, I was utter rubbish, and I thought "This isn't for me, no ability whatsoever."

Next game, an experienced golfer gave me some advice. He looked at my warm-up swing, and said that looks fine, that I was then making a mistake by trying to hit the ball, ie, focus on the ball when doing the swing proper, that I should just move into the right position but repeat the warm-up swing, ignoring the ball. He said, the ball just happens to be there, and if you get the position and swing right, the ball will fly. And it did, I couldn't believe it. I wouldn't say I was good, but I was a lot better than before, and at least it felt good.

Now, that is pure psychology, has to be. Nothing was changed physically, it was just a shift in mental approach. So if it can work in that one example, I can only begin to imagine how it can work more generally.

Steve Ferns
146 Posted 06/12/2017 at 17:01:16
The best example of Sports Psychology is in British Cycling. The now renowned Dr. Steve Peters is the main man here. He's written a few books and his method centres around dealing with the voice of inner doubt and labelling that "your chimp" and this same voice tells you not to put the effort in on certain occasions. Now we are not professional sportsmen, but a bet a lot of us have frequented gyms, played five-a-side and stuff like that. Those days when you say to yourself, nah it's too cold, can't be bothered, or whatever and don't go, that's supposedly your inner chimp. Steve Peters teaches people how to deal with this.

There was a great documentary on BBC Radio 5 live all about him and his theory and his work with British Cycling. It was brilliant and towards the end of it, I was thinking this is eye-opening and revolutionary stuff. It also deals with bad behaviour and sportsmen acting out. Peters told the cyclists, that if their colleague (and usually friend) is acting up, then they need to just ignore them, that this is not them, but their chimp and to not let it effect them.

Throughout the documentary I was thinking we're missing someone here. We heard from Vicky Pendleton, who is an absolutely brilliant cyclist who dominated women's sprinting for year, but is clearly a very fragile girl, Peters' work with her was extraordinary and shows the real value of sports psychology. We also heard from a few of the other big names. But one was missing. They saved him to last, Sir Bradley Wiggins. For the uninitiated, he's the guy who has won the most Olympic medals (for a Briton) and was the first British winner of Le Tour de France. They asked him about Steve Peters, and he was dismissive, said he didn't work with him. And then made a hilarious comment, saying if Steve Cummins (superb lad from Wallasey) is being a tit, then it's not his chimp, it's him being a tit, and I'll tell him he's being a tit!

Great Documentary. Clearly it works for some but not for others, and only for those who wish to engage. And for what it's worth Peters also worked with LFC and it didn't stop them carrying on as serial bottlers.

Steavey Buckley
147 Posted 06/12/2017 at 17:36:20
The evidence for a sport psychologist is provided by the England cricket team, while playing Australia in the currect test matches, who continually suffer from batting collapses due to mental fragilities.
Stan Schofield
148 Posted 06/12/2017 at 17:54:12
It applies in other areas as well, like musicians. Some musicians worry about not being good enough, or about playing bum notes. So you want them to get over this, to be confident. But not too confident, otherwise they could lose their edge. It's getting the balance right, between lack of confidence and over confidence, to try and get 'goldilocks' level of confidence. Not easy, so if a psychologist can help, all the better.
Anthony Jones
149 Posted 06/12/2017 at 21:48:04
Interesting responses.

Don't want to bore people so I'll be brief.

Psychologists can be very helpful and there is a real medical need for them.

Sports psychologists are snake oil salesmen.

Regardless, everything I said about confidence in the manager being key still stands. Great leaders inspire confidence. They don't need these frauds.

Mark Stone
150 Posted 06/12/2017 at 22:32:50
With respect, what are you basing that on? Have you competed or worked in a support role in high performance sport?

I doubt very much that you know what the role of a sport psychologist is, and there is an element of Dunning Kruger in your comments here (you don't know what you don't know).

I'm not a sport psychologist; I was an exercise physiologist and am now a strength and conditioning coach, and through that I've worked in high performance for over 10 years, including with athletes who have gone on to achieve the ultimate success in their sport.

I've seen first-hand the value a good sport psychologist can bring to the support team and can point to objective measurable outcomes.

Anthony Jones
151 Posted 06/12/2017 at 23:15:02
With respect, Mark, your experience makes you a candidate for bias as much as it provides you with professional insight.

I appreciate I stoked your argument here, but my initial point was focused upon the importance of the manager and coaches leading effectively. Without effective leadership of any sports team, a sports psychologist would have a very tough job in trying to impact your KPIs.

It is interesting that many comments reference individualistic sports rather than team sports. This makes sense. In a team, the individual is subject to the influence of other team members and team leaders, and is keenly aware of how they are treated relative to others. Moreover, if they feel under threat, or do not respect or have trust in their leaders then motivation and performance will suffer. Individual athletes do not usually have all of these influences to preoccupy them, and I would imagine put themselves under immense pressure. Andy Murray worries me at times, but I am sure a non-sports psychologist would do him just fine.

Am I qualified to make the above comments? Well, yes. They are based upon observation and logic rather than empty ethos.

Stan Schofield
152 Posted 06/12/2017 at 23:51:43
Mark@150: I'm no expert, but I wonder if a 'sports psychologist' is first and foremost just a psychologist who happens to be focusing on sports. That is, he/she could equally well apply the methods in other areas?

I gave an example of musicians @148, my daughter being a professional musician. She's never had any 'formal' mentoring from a psychologist as such, but I believe aspects of her development have involved psychology deeply, in the sense of handling things mentally, such as performing in front of an audience, or staying focused when there are other pressures, beyond the technical skills required.

Anthony@151: The distinction you make between individual and team sports is interesting. I can imagine team sports are similar to teams in, say, industry, where at the end of the day things depend on good managers who understand different people and their skills. And bad managers can break a team of good workers.

A thing about team sports, though, is they're not just 'team' sports are they, because it's teams of individuals, each performing separately but interacting. Each player can be individually crap or brilliant, and surely there's a lot of psychology there of the type that is used in 'individual sports'.

Ernie Baywood
153 Posted 07/12/2017 at 01:35:54
Certainly Bob Rotella had gone on to apply many of his teachings to businesses, schools as well as multiple team and individual sorts.

He gives the example of the smartest kid in school who is successful in gaining access to an elite university. Suddenly they're associating with the intellectual cream, all aspiring to greatness. How many of those kids, upon seeing how much dedication and commitment is actually required to excel, opt for just being above average?

That would absolutely be common in football. Pick any young Premier League player and I'll bet their feats at school and their local team were the talk of the town. What happens when they get signed and are alongside others of the same or better standard?

What made Cristiano Ronaldo decide that he wanted to be the very best and push himself to incredible levels of dedication?

Why is Morgan Schneiderlin happy to try to look good rather than be good?

Is not God given is it? Most Premier League players have a decent degree of physical ability/stature.

Ernie Baywood
154 Posted 07/12/2017 at 01:38:04
By the way, Anthony, I'm not in agreement with your view that experience makes your views less valid due to bias. By that logic, if you know nothing, your views should be taken seriously.

That's why we get into trouble in politics!

John Smith
155 Posted 09/12/2017 at 06:01:58
We should bring in Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Give them Klaassen as a trade-in. (He used to work under the Dortmund coach; he's a big fan).
Alexander Murphy
156 Posted 09/12/2017 at 07:12:00
Some players need a kick in the arse to get them revved up; others get revved up no matter what.

Some players push themselves in each and every training session; some go through the actions.

Some players eat all the right stuff; some eat junk.

Some players drink; some abstain.

Some players hear the manager's instructions once and carry them out to the letter; some players never get with the script.

Some players are thick as shite; some can finish a tricky crossword in their own handwriting.

Some managers have a mate or two by their side to air their views; some managers have a coach load of assistants.

Some clubs win trophies; some avoid them for decades.

Some fans pay attention to the minutiae of off-field affairs... this fan is sick of winning fuck all.

Employ a sports psychologist, a dietician, a specialist in origami, a witch doctor or even a bender of fucking spoons, but win us something.

And by the way, 4 across, aquatic mammal (5,3) is not ship's cat.

Paul Kossoff
157 Posted 09/12/2017 at 20:43:01
My God! They don't lift a finger in real life, treated like Kings (play like Queens!) Now they need extra help to play to the standards they get paid millions for... unbelievable! Fine the twats, make the wages up by performance, not give them extra for performing!

It really does go beyond a joke, and you know what? We all go along with it, that's the sad annoying thing, we all support them no matter what they do on the pitch.

In the real world, in any other job, you were as bad as this lot, you would be out the door. But you can't sack a footballer for under performing, he still gets paid, and he couldn't give a toss!

David Barks
158 Posted 09/12/2017 at 21:11:35
Paul,

How many jobs have you held that had 50,000 people showing up to watch you every week, tens to hundreds of millions watching you around the world, and those same people spending their free time commenting about you on Internet forums? Just curious. The point is, it's not just any other job.

Sports psychology isn't about helping you deal with childhood issues. It's about helping you mentally focus and get the most out of your physical abilities by making sure the mental side is as tuned as possible. Not sure where your anger is coming from, but there might be a psychologist out there that can help you with that. 😜


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