The Sports Psychology Blog
Today's Sports Psychology blog comes as Andy Cole nets his first hat-trick for seven years to fire Burnley to an impressive win at Queens Park Rangers.
Football: Andy Cole - Enthusiasm!
'I feel like I am twenty one again!'. The words of new Burnley striker thirty seven year old, Andy Cole. Cole admits that he owes his goal-scoring resurrection to his new boss Owen Coyle. Coyle has reignited Cole's passion and enthusiasm. He has reconnected him to his natural love of the game.
This is the mark of a good manager. Coyle, fresh to the managerial game, burns bright with the optimism, the possibility of it all. His arteries have not hardened with cynicism from the short-sightedness of trigger happy chairmen. He has reminded Cole of why he played the game in the first place. He has reminded him of his strengths. His qualities. And he has evoked the powerful feeling in Cole that he can still do it. That he still has it.
Andy Cole was once one of the most lethal strikers in English football. Most strikers at the age of thirty-seven are simply playing out their days. Drifting down the leagues. A shadow of who they once were.
Yet, Andy Cole may be about to begin playing his best ever football. Combining the wisdom of an experienced professional, allied to the enthusiasm of a player who glows with what they are doing. And has been given a second chance. And, he has found a manager who believes in him.
It's a potent combination. A manager in love with managing players. And a player in love with the game again. It should be no surprise then, that Andy Cole is playing with renewed belief.
