It’s Sir Alex Ferguson, being interviewed by Sky Sports Geoff Shreeves, after United’s defeat of Chelsea. Shreeves, asks the United manager about Rafael Benitez’s comments at his Friday press conference. Ferguson says that Benitez appears ‘disturbed’ and ‘angry’. Sure enough, the papers the following morning, are loaded with pictures of Benitez, with the headlines ‘disturbed’, written above him. It’s now appearing, as if Benitez’s attack on Ferguson, is looking like a very bad idea. If Liverpool had followed up his words, with a stunning performance at Stoke, then everything he said would be quickly forgotten. But, there’s was a stuttering […]
Read More...Sports Psychology Blog
Welcome to the Sports Psychology blog. Here you will find insights on current sporting events, from the perspective of a sports psychologist.
The purpose of this blog, is to get inside the sporting drama…why the player or team do what they they do…their thinking…mindsets…attitudes…their fluctuating state of confidence…and all the other mental and emotional pieces that create the psychology of sports.
The most recent articles are at the top of the List Of Sports Psychology Blogs Index.
Football: Rafael Benitez – The Friday Press Conference
It’s Rafael Benitez’s Friday press conference. It is put to him, that Sir Alex Ferguson, has said that nerves may ruin Liverpool’s title bid. Benitez responds, by drawing a piece of paper from his pocket. On it, are listed Benitez’s accusations, about Ferguson and his attitude to referees, and the fixture list. It’s a response from the Spaniard, that many are comparing to Kevin Keegan’s rant, in the year Newcastle United blew a Premiership title lead. Well. we will only know if Benitez’s behaviour is an act of self-sabotage, if Liverpool, fail to clinch the Premiership title. Keegan’s emotional explosion, […]
Read More...Darts: Wayne Mardle – Disrespect Me!
It’s the pre-match interview, and Wayne Mardle, is discussing his forthcoming encounter, with Robert Thornton. Sky Sports Helen Chamberlain, reminds Mardle, that pundit Rod Harrington has queried which Mardle will turn up tonight. Mardle the Entertainer? Or Mardle the Darts Player? Mardle seems none too impressed, when the question is put to him. As if, somehow, his professionalism is being called into question. So, it’s no surprise when Mardle turns in an inspired performance, to counter the threat of Robert Thornton. Mardle seems able to channel, all his considerable energy into his darts. And drawing from the crowd, raises his […]
Read More...Darts: Phil Taylor – Supreme Confidence?
Phil Taylor, has dispatched Dutch challenger Michael Van Gerwen, in a second round encounter, at the Alexandra Palace. In his post-match interview with Sky Sports’s Dave Clarke, he is already looking ahead. ‘I’d love to get Barney in the final’, declared The Power. Basically, he is mooting, that only Raymond Van Barneveld, can offer him, the level of challenge that he wants, needs, and will thrive on. Whilst The Power’s attitude is understandable, its also slightly presumptive. Presumptive, that he will dispatch the dangerous Kevin Painter in round three. Whilst Taylor’s record against The Artist, is impressive, he would be […]
Read More...Football: Roy Keane – I Resign!
So Roy Keane and Sunderland have parted company. The Black Cats home defeat to Bolton Wanderers, being the final straw for the manager. Many pundits will say that, I told you so. That a character as volatile as Keane, was always liable to quit unexpectedly. Once Keane started to publicly question his own ability to manage, then his departure, perhaps seemed inevitable. But Keane was voicing in public, the thoughts and concerns, that should really have been kept private. Private, as part of an on-going process with himself, and a mentor or personal coach. Because of the demands of modern […]
Read More...Football: Stan Ternent – Sacked!
So Stan Ternent is sacked as manager of Huddersfield Town. After Saturday’s late win over Crewe, it looked as if Ternent may have bought himself some time. Time to rebuild lost confidence and belief. But, in reality, the writing was on the wall, for the experienced manager, a few weeks ago. After a four goal hiding at London Rd., Ternent spoke about not panicking, and being ok about spending his Christmas dinner at home, with his family, if it came to that. His managerial instinct, must have sensed what was coming. Stan Ternent is not a bad manager. His track […]
Read More...Football Psychology: Aidy Boothroyd – Take A Break
It’s only twenty-four hours, after Aidy Boothroyd, is sacked by Watford, and his name is being linked with the vacancy at Huddersfield Town. Whilst he may make a good manager of the Division One outfit, perhaps the best thing Aidy can do right now, would be a take a break. This talented manager, should try to avoid becoming just another manager in the never-ending football roadshow. Moving from job to job, until that bright flame of intensity diminishes. Perhaps he could travel the world for nine months in search of new ideas, practises and theories. Then surprise everyone, by being […]
Read More...Rugby League: Tony Smith – Calmness In Defeat
After seeing his team mauled by a rampant Australian side, in Melbourne, one might have expected England coach Tony Smith, to be ‘gutted’ after the match. To be taking defeat personally. Inconsolable and angry. But no. Smith is calm and collected, in his interviews. Down, of course. But with enough clarity of mind, to suggest that he really may be able to pinpoint exactly how and why his team were outperformed. And correct the problem. Sometimes managers and coaches, allow their emotions to get the better of them. That, the outcome, is in some way, a reflection of themselves. The […]
Read More...Football: Tottenham Hotspur – The Harry Redknapp Effect
Despite conceding an early goal to a confident Liverpool outfit, Tottenham still found a way to secure the points, at White Hart Lane on Saturday. This, after Wednesday’s thrilling draw at The Emirates, suggests that the Harry Redknapp effect, has been immediate. It makes one wonder, just what was happening under the management of Juande Ramos? Brilliant in Seville. Out of his depth in North London. With the same group of talented players, Redknapp has instilled confidence and belief, in a matter of days. Whilst some tactical acumen is at play, the transformation, is down to simple man-management skills. Enthusing players; playing […]
Read More...Football: Didier Drogba – Focus!
Yes, it happens to me many times, it happens to every one of us,” Drogba said. “It’s funny because there are some times in the game where you don’t touch the ball for a while and then you realise that the crowd is there, or they’re not reacting, or you notice something specific going on and focus on it. “After that you have to come back into the game quick, because this is how you lose your attention and sometimes you can mis-control when the ball comes to you suddenly, or miss an opportunity.” Didier Drogba, speaking openly to the […]
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