The Sports Psychology Blog
This Sports Psychology blog comes as Carlisle United keeper, Keiren Westwood, defies Leeds United, for ninety-six minutes, before conceding right at the death.
Football: Keiren Westwood - Indecision!
We are in added time in the Leeds United - Carlisle United, first-leg play off semi. The fourth official has indicated that there will be an additional four minutes. It's the sixth minute of added time, when Leeds hoist a high ball into the box.
Carlisle keeper, Kieren Westwood, initially comes for the cross, then decides to retreat to the sanctuary of his goal-mouth. Moments later, Dougie Freedman has slipped the loose ball past Westwood, and Leeds have a life-line.
It's the first moment of indecision from Westwood, who has had an outstanding game. Defying the Leeds strikers with breathtaking fingertip saves. The Carlisle custodian has looked unbeatable. Until, that is, the ninety-sixth minute.
It's curious, that Westwood should reserve his moment of indecision, until then. Carlisle had been expecting to play out four minutes of added time. Perhaps, beyond the fourth minute, they began to wait for, and expect, the referees whistle. And in doing so, their concentration and focus levels fractionally dipped. Not a lot, but just enough to let Leeds back in.
That loss of focus, can begin with one player, and affect others, like an unseen virus. Not consciously so. But subtly. Thus, a keeper, suddenly hesitates, makes a wrong decision, and the ball is in the back of the net. Yet, that hesitation and uncertainty, may have originated with a colleague.
It's interesting to note, that in three of the first-leg play-off matches, critical goals were scored beyond the ninetieth minute. Signs of teams, momentarily switching off, as the final whistle approaches.
As we approach the play-off second legs, all managers should be ensuring their teams are mentally prepared for the pressure of added-time. It's a period in the game, when players minds can drift to outcomes, possibilities and rewards. And leave them vulnerable to mistakes.
Calmness, focus and clear-thinking must be the order of the day, for any side looking to successfully negotiate those critical, last few additional minutes.
