So let's see we have basically the same core of players over the past WCQ and Gold Cup games. yet our results have not signigficantly yield positive results? While we have shown improvements in soem areas, we continue to display as some 'foruminities' have indicated, a lack of 'hussle' focus' leadership and energy'
It's easy to see the lack of a goals from the forward position; it's easy to see the onfield lackof performance, but do we really know what is happening to the 'psyche' of the team?
TEAM!!! yes the team. Understandably there is a mood of despondency, but who is responsible for bringing up liftment to players when there are insurmountable odds? who is supplying leadership in the room? what role is our captain displaying off the field? in the locker room? As much as
Carlos Edwards could not play due to injury, does it NOT seem strange that the man would not stick around for this game and cheer his team mates on or provide some encouragement for th eyounger players? why leave on the day of a cruicial game? This kinda reminds me of Ince uping and leaving due to a so called injury!!!! and the manner in which Ian Cox pulled out straight for England when he did not get selected. I am not disputing Edwards injury claim, I am just questioning the show of support for the TEAM !!!
How was Shaka's disposition at being on the bench? How are players handling the 'managining' of players selection and playing time? How does a player sit and witness the inept performance of a so called striker and yet the coach never 'benches' the player nor pull him off yet other players could score big goals but are pulled? What does this do to the 'psyche ' morale of the team? Are we or are the players falling back into a repeat of what the former coach adhereed to by sticking with certain players despite their performance? what impact does this have on players? Reprts would show that people would resort to preconditioned modes of behaviour, if they are in circumstances which were similiar to what they have experienced. If they have not been taught effectively to deal with those circumstances, they resort to old ways of reacting.
I have said this again and again, is there anyone on the team's management side who is qualified to work as a sports psychologist?Having worked with a consultant company from the states about five years ago, my job was to help integrate ex NFL professionals back into society after their palying days were over. The psyche of professional athletes is a big factor in terms of performance. This year one of my task will be to work as a consultant with a Junior A hockey team. Players have either been drafted to play professional or are seeking a last ditch effort to impress the scouts. Again I see that there ought to be someone who could met with players on an individual basis and a a taem to provide them with that sort of 'mental' toughness to break out of the cycle of 'losing,' negativity, pressure and to enhance a positive sense of direction. Look at the impact that Andrews' departure from the game had on the players? it was not long after that Columbia scored!!!! How do players react to adversity?
One critical domain to explore is for each and every person to associated with the team to be aligned with the same PURPOSE. This way, players are hearing a consisten message from top to bottom and they can buy into the vision. As players, as management everyone need to clearly understand what the purpose of each game, training session, each meeting is about.
We need to remove doubts and to help players cope with the situation we are now in. What support is there for this for our players? Does anyone know?
