The Sports Psychology Blog
This Sports Psychology blog comes after Southampton's fighting draw at The Hawthorn's, in last night's Championship match.
Football: Nigel Pearson - Composure Under Pressure
It's relatively easy for a manager to look relaxed and settled when his team are on a winning streak. When all is going well. But when his charges are locked into a relegation dog-fight, then composure is not normally the order of the day.
Given that Southampton could drop into League One / Division Three for the first time in nearly fifty years, then you could expect Saints new manager, Nigel Pearson, to radiate tension and anxiety.
But what was telling at The Hawthorns last night, was Pearson's demeanour. He looked a man with an inner certainty and confidence. Confidence, in both himself and his team. Born out of knowing, that the right strategy was in place to secure success.
Many managers make the mistake of feeling that they need to get emotionally involved on the touchline. Contesting every decision. Remonstrating with the referee. Bawling at their players to do things, which should have been correctly programmed at training.
This emotionally based strategy, founded on pressure and stress, whilst maybe looking good to the fans, generally serves little or no purpose. In fact, it can prevent the manager from developing the clarity of mind, that leads to good decision-making.
Southampton may still drop down into League One. But in Nigel Pearson, they appear to have found a leader made of the right stuff. A man with presence, natural authority and the boldness to make the right decisions at the right time.
But most importantly, when the pressure is on, a man in control of his emotions. To think clearly under pressure, is what every player must hope for in his manager.
The pressure that comes with the negative financial implications of relegation, usually takes its toll on managers. But, on the evidence of last night at The Hawthorn's, Nigel Pearson is proving to be up to the challenge.
