He came to prominence at the 1998 Open. His fourth place finish as an amateur, alerting the golfing world to his emerging talent. Nineteen years later, Justin Rose returns to Royal Birkdale, Still without an Open title to his name. Ahead of the event, Justin is talking about the innocence he had in 1998. And his desire for a return to that same feeling this week. It’s an interesting observation. When you join the games professional ranks, the freedom you have as an amateur, can be negated by all the pressures playing the game for money brings. The need to […]
Read More...Martin Perry
Football Psychology: Leicester City – The Psychologist
It’s been a turbulent week at Leicester City. The sacking of Claudio Ranieri, has led to much comment and analysis as to the rights and wrongs of that controversial decision. Greedy players; Impulsive owners all incurring the wrath of the football industry, as the games favourite uncle is perceived to be hard done by. Without being inside the Leicester camp, it’s all speculation. But one interesting revelation came to light today. In an article in The Telegraph, it was revealed that Ranieri released sports psychologist Ken Way at the beginning of the season. Ken had been at the club a […]
Read More...Football Psychology: Antonio Conte – Blind Faith!
It’s every managers dream. Where your players have blind faith in you as a leader. They trust in you. They feed off your man-management and emotional energy. They will go the extra mile for you. When the player – manager stars are aligned like this then everything is possible. And this is the dynamic that Antonio Conte has created at Stamford Bridge. Questions were being asked after the three-nil drubbing at The Emirates earlier in the season. Who was running the Chelsea dressing room….the senior players…the owner? Either way the passionate Italian’s finger prints were not visible on his group. […]
Read More...Football Psychology: Claudio Ranieri – Problems!
It was only a few weeks ago that he was crowned World Manager of The Year. Taking Leicester City to an unlikely Premier League title made him the toast of world football. Now his position is under critical scrutiny, as The Foxes find themselves drawn into a relegation battle. The finger has been pointed at his under-performing players…the corroding of team-spirit because of the change in salary dynamics…the loss of N’Golo Kante’s midfield presence…the challenges of going again after the career peak of winning the title…and all of this are plausible reasons for Leicester’s decline. But ultimately it all comes […]
Read More...Snooker Psychology: Anthony Hamilton – Winning!
And so finally, at the age of forty-six, Anthony Hamilton secures his first ranking title, The German Masters. A hard fought 9-6 win over Ali Carter, made Hamilton the oldest winner of a ranking event since Doug Mountjoy in 1989. Coming from a 5-2 deficit, Hamilton produced his best snooker to take an 8-5 lead. Then the questions started to be asked. Would the Nottingham cueman have the mental strength to get over the line… Or would the ghosts of failures past hold sway and prevent him thinking and playing freely? When the pressures on and a big title is […]
Read More...Tennis Psychology: Roger Federer – One More Moment!
The Virgin Queen Elizabeth !, said on her death bed, ‘I would give all my worldly possessions, for one more precious moment of life’. A sentiment that came to mind at Melbourne yesterday evening. After a titanic struggle with Rafael Nadal. Roger Federer secured his eighteenth Grand Slam. As the umpire called game, set and match, Roger looked joyous. moved, disbelieving, euphoric and all other emotional points north of happy! When you have been a great champion, you wonder if you will ever experience one of those special Sunday Grand Slam moments, ever again. Could you, for one special fortnight, […]
Read More...Football Psychology: Paul Pogba – Emoji’s!
It;s Old Trafford. A damp January Sunday. A strong Liverpool team are in opposition. Everything is set up for a classic encounter. So what better time for United’s Paul Pogba to introduce to the world his new Emoji. The United media team have backed their player by displaying news of the emoji on illuminated advertising around the ground as the game is in progress. How unfortunate then that Pogba should have a game to forget. A missed one on one opportunity. And then a shocking hand-ball to gift Liverpool a penalty. When Bruce Springsteen arrived at the Hammersmith Odeon in […]
Read More...Tennis Psychology: Novak Djokovic – Beyond Tennis!
It’s not unusual anymore for sports professionals to work with psychologists. The mind plays such a critical part in sporting success. They also work with therapists, to look to heal difficult and challenging personal issues from the past, It is unusual. however, for a top player to bring a spiritual guru into their team. Which is exactly what Novak Djokovic appears to have done. The world number one has turned to former tennis player, Pepe Imaz who now preaches the gospel of love and peace, through meditation and other self-reflective techniques. Will this translates into Novak’s results? Can love make […]
Read More...Tennis Psychology: Nick Kyrgios – Bored!
Its the Shanghai Masters. And Nick Kyrgios is making an early exit. His defeat to world number 110, Mischa Zyerev would only be a shock if the Australian was giving it 100%. Which he isnt. Complaining of boredom and tiredness, Nick once again incurs the wrath of the Australian sporting community with an un-committed performance. And of course the pundits start hawking the same questions…’Why does he do it?’…‘where’s his respect for the game?‘…’What could he achieve if he was really bothered?‘. None of which seems to trouble Nick Kyrgios. He’s making his way nicely up the rankings. And occasionally […]
Read More...Football Psychology: Wayne Rooney – The Gift!
He announced himself in 2002. A supremely confident sixteen year old. A teenager in a mans body. Right then, everything seemed possible for Wayne Rooney. Fourteen years later, having been jeered by the Wembley crowd, he finds himself dropped from the England team. No longer a potent attacking force, the best days appear to be behind him. There are many talented players that have played the game. But truly gifted players are fewer in number. Cruyff…Maradona…Pele…Messi…Ronaldo…all blessed by The Gift. And all have taken the game to a level that raised the stakes for everyone else. They are the trailblazers…the pathfinders…not […]
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