The Sports Psychology Blog
This Sports Psychology blog comes, as Rochdale's promotion dream, is ended by Stockport County, at Wembley.
Football: Rochdale - A Bridge Too Far
So the Rochdale fairytale is over. At least for another League Two season. Despite the closeness of the 3-2 Wembley scoreline, they were beaten by a Stockport County side, that seemed better equipped, to handle the big-match play-off pressure.
Whether the absence of David Perkins made the crucial difference or not, Rochdale seemed a shadow of the side, that had impressed on the journey to Wembley. It looked as if the 'occasion' took it's toll.
Apart from the inspirational Gary Jones, the Rochdale players generally lacked coolness and composure on the ball. Decision-making was hasty, with a litany of sloppy, misplaced passes.
Somehow they couldn't quite come to terms with the day. The Wembley occasion seemed to have become bigger than the collective mentality of the team.
The home of football can have that debilitating effect on sides, much more experienced than the 'Dale. It's as if players can't quite play their normal game. Mind and bodies just don't feel quite right. Pressure serves to disrupt the flow of normal, automatic thought. The game seems a blur.
As if all the anticipation that has built up, in the club and the town, contrives to create a stultifying presence of it's own. There becomes too many expectant people to let down. It becomes much more than a football match. And players stop doing the things they previously did automatically.
The harder they try to put things right, the worse it gets. Until things get desperate. Then you can forget your inhibition, and simply go for it. But for Rochdale, that moment came too late.
The Wembley experience will stand them in good stead. If they return there next year, they will know what to expect. With settled nerves and calm, steady emotions, minds can think clearly and make the correct decisions under pressure.
Stockport County showed how it should be done. They absorbed the occasion and played their natural game. Today was a victory, for Jim Gannon and his Wembley preparations. They looked like a League One team in-waiting.
