The Sports Psychology Blog
This Sports Psychology blog, comes as Cheltenham Town's fortunes, take a turn for the better, with the arrival of Martin Allen.
Football: Cheltenham Town - The Martin Allen Effect
It's just a few games into Martin Allen's reign at Cheltenham Town, and already his influence is starting to show. A last minute equaliser at The Withdean, was followed by a dramatic 95th minute, Barry Hayles winner against Colchester United.
Despite the lack of resources available to him, or maybe because of them, it's almost inevitable, that Martin Allen, will make a difference at Cheltenham. When a team start scoring decisive, last minute goals, it's a sure sign of a positive team-spirit. A team that believes in itself, and refuses to give up.
The one thing, that you can be sure of, in a Martin Allen team, is spirit and togetherness. When he was at Brentford for example, his team would take black plastic bin-liners, with them on away trips.
After the match, when they had changed and were ready to leave the ground, the Brentford players would fill the bin-liners with their rubbish, and take it back on the bus with them. Leaving a surprised and delighted, home cleaning team.
It's just one of Allen's ways, of creating a team culture of respect, humility and togetherness. His methods certainly do the trick, in the lower leagues. It's possible, that Allen will be branded, throughout his career, as an expert in motivating teams in Leagues One and Two. And thus, always be overlooked for the bigger jobs.
But, right now Cheltenham are the beneficiaries of his leadership skills. They may not have the resources he needs, to take them into The Championship. But, he will make his mark at Whaddon Rd. And in doing so, remind the football world, that one of the games best motivators, is back in business.
