The Sports Psychology Blog
This Sports Psychology blog examines Steve McClaren's failure to successfully accommodate Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in England's mid-field.
Football: Steve McClaren - The Big Decisions
It took an injury to Frank Lampard to force Steve McClaren into making changes in his mid-field. Bringing in Gareth Barry to replace the Chelsea man, England suddenly looked more balanced and comfortable. Steven Gerrard had some breathing space.
Then Lampard recovered from injury and McClaren was forced back into his dilemma. Lampard and Gerrard - they must be able to play together. His predecessor Sven Goran Eriksson came to the same flawed conclusion. Must be able to play together; but unable to.
Simply, Lampard and Gerrard were not compatible. Both wanted to be the man. The mid-field leader. The dynamo. The one whom the game revolved around. The authority. That is what they thrive on. Give me the mid-field to run.
But McClaren couldn't bring himself to settle for balance over talent. The fatal flaw of the successful Number Two who becomes the Number One. The challenge of making the very tough decisions. Loyalty to your players v what the team needs. Being strong enough to drop a top player. Not worrying about hurt egos.
With Lampard and Gerrard back in the mid-field England were muddled and lacking in energy. Both wanted to be the man. Neither were.
