The Sports Psychology Blog
This Sports Psychology blog comes as Leeds United lose the first leg of their play-off semi-final with Carlisle United.
Football: Leeds United - Pressure!
So Leeds United head to Cumbria on Thursday night, a goal down to Carlisle United. And this, despite a near 40,000 crowd at Elland Rd, to support The Whites. Perhaps, away from Elland Rd, Leeds may play with a greater freedom and confidence.
For play-off Monday, revealed an emerging team, struggling to handle the weight of expectancy, that seemed to be upon them. Younger players riddled with moments of fear and nervousness. At times, it was almost reminiscent of their 2006 Championship play-off final choke to Watford, at the Millenium Stadium.
A full house at Elland Rd., brings demands. This is a public, fed on a rich diet of success, over the years. Which means that Leeds United players, have to learn to play without fear. That is, the fear of making mistakes, with the knowledge, that the expectant and vocal home crowd can get on your back.
It's the managers job, to ensure that his players are in exactly the right frame of mind, when they leave the home dressing room. It would be easy to try to motivate and pump up the players, by reminding them of how loyal the Elland Rd crowd are; how much this means to them; to do it for those people. But that 'do it for the fans' strategy can simply load pressure, on already anxious players.
Sometimes it's better to play the whole thing down. Take the crowd right out of the motivational equation. Sometimes it's not pumping up that players need. But a feeling of calm; a sense of perspective; a clear and simple focus.
It's in those final moments in the dressing room, before a big game, that the best managers, earn their money. It's Brian Clough singing, 'Fly Me To The Moon', to his Forest players. 'I'm a good singer, aren't I lads!'. 'Now - go out and show me what good footballers you are!'.
Maybe a simple but memorable phrase, that focuses the mind. Like George Graham saying to his Arsenal players, before a game at Carrow Rd., 'Let's leave this country town with the points'.
Or perhaps surprising the players, with a quiet and shy team-member, delivering some well chosen words in the team-talk. Sometimes it's not raw power that's needed. But, humour or relaxation. The art of good managership, is in being able to know the difference. And respond accordingly.
In his first play-off encounter as manager, maybe Gary McCallister has learned some valuable lessons in the art of correctly preparing his team. On Thursday, away from the intense pressure cooker of Elland Rd, his job should be that much easier.
