The Sports Psychology Blog
This Sports Psychology blog comes as Sheffield United are beaten 2-0 by Sheffield Wednesday in the Steel City derby
Football: Sheffield United - The Comfort Zone!
'We didn't have any drive about our game. We were playing in the comfort zone. There was no real purpose in our game'. The words of Sheffield United manager Bryan Robson, after his side were defeated in the game that matters most of all to Blades fans.
It's a frank and honest admission by the United manager. The one thing Sheffield United fans would expect of their team in the Sheffield derby is passion and purpose. To fight for every ball. To be totally committed to every challenge. To show the same desire the fans feel.
For United to be in the comfort zone in the Steel City Derby, is alarming news. It suggests a deeper problem. Maybe the players don't believe in the managers strategy. Perhaps its a strategy that they know doesn't play to their strengths. That is too cautious. That they instinctively know isn't right. So they don't believe in it. Can't commit to it with enthusiasm. And also, more subtly, want to see fail.
The only way for Sheffield United to turn their season around will be for the players to have a frank, no holds barred assessment of their performance yesterday. And be frank with the management team too. A frank exchange that allows all players to air their views. Without recriminations.
A discussion that lets the truth be spoken. A discussion that brings the players together again. Clearly something isn't quite right at Bramall Lane. A swift return to the Premier League is looking unlikely. Only straight and honest talk will do right now. Without it, their season will be over.
