The Sports Psychology Blog
This Sports Psychology blog comes as Blackpool concede three goals in eight minutes, at home to West Bromwich Albion.
Football: Blackpool - Focus
There's ten minutes to go in the Blackpool-West Bromwich Albion Championship clash at Bloomfield Road, when the Baggies are awarded a contentious penalty. The Blackpool players are furious with referee Moss. Their protests are in vain however. Phillips dispatches from the spot, and the scores are level.
Within a minute, the Albion go ahead. Like predators, they sense vulnerability in the home ranks, and take advantage. For Blackpool, this is not the first time this season, they have conceded two goals in quick succession. Charlton Athletic and Stoke City have also plundered quick-fire goals at Bloomfield Road.
In the lower leagues, there is usually a period of recovery time, for defenders to regain their composure after conceding. But in the Championship, playing against strikers of Premiership experience, there is no time to dwell, or feel sorry for yourself.
Defenders must put mistakes, or refereeing errors immediately to the back of their minds. Top strikers are programmed to sense weakness. And they know, that the time straight after a goal, is the perfect time to test a defenders concentration, focus and confidence.
Simon Grayson has done a tremendous job to make Blackpool competitive in this season's Championship. His team will have learnt many tough lessons. But, to ensure their survival, his defence must remember, that the post-match inquest, is the time to question and dwell on decisions and mistakes. Not the time straight after a goal.
