The Sports
Psychology Blog
This Sports Psychology blog comes after Glasgow Celtic surrender a two goal lead at Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Football: Gordon Strachan - A Crystal Clear Analysis
'If there's a shop where I can buy something that stops bad defending, then I'll go there'. The words of Celtic manager, Gordon Strachan, after his side once again failed to keep a clean sheet on the road. A wry and amusing comment from the Scotsman, but it also reveals an unresolved concern.
What should a manager do when his side can't help but concede goals away from home? Well the first question is to assess whether the problem is a technical one or a mental one. A technical problem caused either by defenders not being clear about their defensive roles or lack of defensive capability. Certainly problems that can be resolved on the training ground.
Alternatively, the defensive problem may be a mental one. Such as a lack of concentration; poor communication; fear of conceding a goal. If so, then a thorough analysis needs to be put in place to determine the faulty habits and patterns.
Poor concentration - Where and how do we lose concentration? Which player is prone to it? Why are they prone to it? When in the game are they prone to it? What triggers it? What impact does it have on the other players?
Poor communication - Are some players quiet when they need to be commanding? If so, why? What are they afraid of? When do they go quiet?
Fear of conceding - How does that fear manifest itself? Which players are prone to it? Why are they prone to it? How does it show in their behaviour? What are they fearful of? Is there anything that, as manager, I am doing to cause this fear?
Perhaps Gordon Strachan does not know why his side cannot keep a clean sheet. In which case, he needs to take a step back and look at his methods of analysis. Perhaps he has become too close to the problem. Maybe he should bring someone in to help him solve the problem. If it's technical, then a defensive expert. If its mental, then a sports psychologist. As manager, he has to know what is wrong. Why it is wrong. And know what to do about it.
