It was expected to be a game Ireland would win with points to spare. Dispensing the minnows. Building confidence in preparation for sterner tests to come. In the end, Ireland were hanging on against the robust Georgians. So what has happened to Ireland’s ‘A’ game? Where is the team carrying their nations hope and dreams? It is not that Ireland lack the experience. It is not that they lack the skill. What they may be encumbered by is over-preparation. Over-preparation by manager Eddie O’Sullivan. These are players who look as if they are having too much to think about. Too […]
Read More...Martin Perry
The Ring Of Confidence
Having won nothing since 1991, to narrowly miss the play offs was an achievement to be lauded, but it cannot be enough for the club with the largest fan base outside the premier league. This season, pundits were predicting a possible return to the Premier League. But, four games into the Championship season, and Sheffield Wednesday are without a point. Four games; four defeats. Although earlier season form may not be an accurate herald of what could follow, it generates, nevertheless, uncertainty and lack of objectivity. We might want to describe such a state as an equation: high expectancy + […]
Read More...Football: Derby County – The Fear Of Added Time
So Derby County are out of the Carling Cup after conceding goals late into full time and extra time. But why should a Premiership side be prone to the concession of last minute goals against Championship opposition? When a side starts conceding last minute goals its a sure sign of over-anxiety. A team that has forgotten how to win. Which Derby have. Last years Championship play-off final probably seems a lifetime ago now. The intensity of the Premiership quickly establishes new habits and patterns. Including losing. With defeat comes lack of confidence. With the lack of confidence grows doubt. Doubt of course, […]
Read More...GAA: Kerry – The Art Of Deep Play
It’s the closing minutes of the All-Ireland semi-final and Dublin are throwing the kitchen sink at Kerry. With their lead narrowed to a single point the All-Ireland champions are under pressure. Dublin have momentum. They have the desire. But what they don’t have is something more precious. It’s the quality that only champions can summon up. A quality that defines the greats. The quality that winners have. Seen for example, in the movie When We Were Kings. Under the severest pressure from George Foreman, Muhammad Ali was able to coolly and deeply look inside himself and find a solution to […]
Read More...Football: Steve Bruce – Big Club? Little Club?
A home defeat for Birmingham. Craig Bellamy winning a controversial penalty for the Hammers. Steve Bruce is less than impressed. ‘Maybe I’m barking up the wrong tree, but the small clubs don’t seem to get those decisions’. It’s interesting language from the Birmingham manager. Bruce is drawing on the classic ‘us against them’ psychology. Little old us fighting against the odds. Against the authorities. Against the big boys. It’s designed to create an enemy. An easy focus for his team. But can you imagine Roy Keane saying this about Sunderland? Calling Sunderland a small club? They may be compared to […]
Read More...GAA: Cork – The Power Of The Underdog
Heading into the All Ireland football semi-final, Meath are lined up as favourites. A strong performance to see off Tyrone in the quarters, allied with Cork’s ‘good-enough’ show against Sligo has influenced the thinking of many observers. For Cork this is perfect. Fuelled by the underdog status they play Meath off the park. For Meath, the burden of being favourites seems too much for them. So how has this come about? Being underdogs offers many advantages to a team. Importantly it creates a simple but powerful focus. You can see an enemy. Them! The ones who are writing you off. […]
Read More...Football: Tottenham Hotspur – Cracking The Code 2
After tonights game against Everton, Tottenham are bottom of the league. Played two – lost two. It’s no cause for alarm – yet. But it’s not what the faithful were expecting. Those expectations. How they weigh on the shoulders of this team. Being bottom is a good place at the moment for Tottenham. The expectations may start to lift. Then these players can start to express themselves. At the moment it’s all too much. Like Stephen Ames partnering Tiger Woods. Too many people scrutinising your game. No place to make mistakes. This isn’t fun anymore. Martin Jol has to find […]
Read More...Football: Tottenham Hotspur – Cracking The Code
With the cheque-book out in the close season, there has been much speculation concerning Tottenham’s ability to finally break the dominance of the top four. Martin Jol’s spending confirms ambition. Thus expectations are high at White Hart Lane. Those expectations brings pressure. Pressure brings fear of making mistakes. Expectations. Pressure. Fear. Not a formula to crack the code of Champions League Qualification. To do that will require a bit more daring. A bit more belief. Forget about the pressure of qualifying for the Champions League. Set out to play a brand of football that is worthy of the Champions League. That allows the players to express […]
Read More...Cricket Psychology: Mal Loye – Be Mad As Hell!
If England were to go with twenty twenty specialists in South Africa, then Mal Loye was strongly tipped to be opening the batting. The slog sweep. Down on one knee. Over square leg for six. Getting the innings off to a flyer. And yes, the selectors went for the specialists. Darren Maddy – Yes. Jeremy Snape – Yes. Mal Loye – No. Excluded. Loye, after learning of his exclusion, could no longer hold back. ‘I am so angry about the situation I am past caring. I will make a decision next week about my international future’. It’s understandable that Loye […]
Read More...Golf: Padraig Harrington – The Pressures Of A Champion
It should come as no surprise that Padraig Harrington would have a less than perfect first round at the Bridgestone Invitational. ‘I was a long long way from my last round at the Open, in terms of focus’, the Irishman tells us. Harrington’s biggest challenge will be how he reacts to any potential dip in form over the next three months. His status and stature within the game has changed. And with it come expectations. Everyone now will be taking notice of him. Is he good enough to win another major? Was it a one-off? The chances are he will […]
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