Football Psychology: Roy Hodgson – Us v Them!

It’s the aftermath of the World Cup Qualifier in the Ukraine, and England boss Roy Hodgson is responding to crticism from Gary Lineker amongst others. The former England striker pronounced the display awful, and Roy Hodgson is disappointed by Lineker’s comments. With FA Head Greg Dyke declaring that no one seriously expects England to win the World Cup in Brazil, it’s been a good week for Hodgson to begin to build a siege mentality. The siege mentality is a leadership strategy employed by most top managers. It’s about creating an US V Them dynamic that ensures the US have an […]

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Football Psychology: Giovanni Trapatonni – The Reputation!

So finally Giovanni Trapatonni’s tenure as the Republic Of Ireland manager is brought to a close. Failure to qualify for the 2014 World Cup was enough to bring Dr Reality into town. Whilst this is the right decision, it is one that has come too late. Trapatonni’s reign should have ended after a poor display at Euro 2012, that showed his team lacking in ideas and imagination. Trap’s legendary status in the game, ensured he had extra credit amongst his employers, but really this was a campaign too far for the Italian, and the Republic have missed an opportunity. Being […]

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Cricket Psychology: Simon Kerrigan – Exclusion!

It was a dream come true. One week playing in the second division of the County Championship. The next making his England test debut in the final Ashes encounter at The Oval. A dream come true, until he was handed the ball by Alistair Cook mid-way through the first afternoon. Then nerves got the better of Simon Kerrigan. Unable to grip the ball properly, he was mauled by a run-hungry Shane Watson. Bowling tension-filled half-trackers, Watson’s eyes lit up as he helped himself to the young Lancastrian’s anxiety-based offerings. Kerrigan was finally put out of his misery by the England […]

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Football Psychology: Luis Suarez – Agitation!

He represents their best hope of making the progression into a top four team. His goals, work-rate and general ability to get under the oppositions skin, make him Liverpool’s prize asset. But Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez is currently training alone. He is loved by the fans, and respected by his team-mates. His club has stood by him, when he has incurred the wrath of the games governing body. Yet, throughout the summer Suarez has been agitating for a move away from Anfield. It can’t have been easy for Brendan Rodgers to ask Suarez to train alone. Yet it’s his only […]

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Cricket Psychology: James Anderson – Visualization!

With Australia going for lunch on the final day at Trent Bridge, in touching distance of their challenging target, England re-grouped in the home dressing-room, under-pressure. But knowing that it only took one ball to break the tough Australian resistance. It’s the kind of scenario that top players relish. The game appears to be drifiting away from you. Under the cosh, someone in the group needs to deliver something special. Hope alone will not save the day. It requires belief and conviction that things will turn. And it was no surprise that James Anderson was England’s man of the moment. […]

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Football Psychology: Ian Holloway – Shell Shocked!

It’s post-match after Crystal Palace’s heavy home defeat to Fulham. And manager Ian Holloway looks shell-shocked. Famous for his ebullience and unbridled enthusiasm, the Bristolian looks as if he is running on empty. So it’s no surprise, a few days later that he leaves his job at Selhurst Park. His last words to the press, make interesting viewing. Ollie admits that he could no longer motivate the team. That, his team were no longer playing for him. Or even each other. It’s a frank admission. He took Palace into the Premier League on the back of a strong team-spirit. But […]

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Tennis Psychology: Andy Murray – Hunger!

So Andy Murray breaks one of the toughest stop situations in sport, and becomes the first British player to win the Gentleman’s Singles at The All England Club in seventy-seven years. In the ensuing day or two since Murray’s triumph, it’s seems that everyone wants a piece of him. His management company will be able to secure him deals that will set him up financially for years to come. The next twelve months could be a chaotic time for the tennis player. If he is needy for endorsements, TV appearances and other celebrity based opportunities, then they await him. But […]

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Tennis Psychology: Sabine Lisicky – Overwhelm!

It’s early in the second set of Sabine Lisicky’s Wimbledon singles final with Marion Bartoli. And the German girl is almost in tears. Her game is falling apart before our eyes. Her ball toss is all over the place. She is constantly choosing the wrong shot options. All her hopes, dreams and possibilities are crumbling in front of her. And there is nothing she can do about it. It is only when the match is virtually over, that with nothing to lose, Sabine starts to loosen up and play her natural game. But by then it’s far too late. So […]

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Tennis Psychology: Laura Robson – Unbelievable!

So Laura Robson’s Wimbledons adventure is over. Whilst the nineteen year old can be happy with progress made, she may also reflect on a missed opportunity to make further progress at The All England Club. Her comments after her defeat were revealing. “I think I was putting a lot of pressure on myself and at the end of the first set I had my chances. At that point I was willing myself to play unbelievable tennis when just serving would have been fine”. Laura’s self assessment is a perceptive one. She felt, simply because it was Wimbledon, that she had […]

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Cricket Psychology: Australia – Decisiveness!

At last! An act of clarity and decisiveness from Cricket Australia. For months under the strained leadership of South African Micky Arthur, the Aussies have looked hopeless. Off field issues have created a sense of an ill-disciplined outfit. On field performances have been sub-standard. This was a team heading for certain Ashes humiliation. And so before it’s too late, the board have acted and brought in new Australian leadership. Darren Lehmann will have a far stronger understanding of the Australian cricket psyche than outsider Arthur. He will know what makes them tick, when to be strong, and when to be […]

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