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Bolting the stable door after the horse has bolted

Bolting the stable door after the horse has bolted

Bolting the stable door after the horse has bolted

As an advocate of sports psychologists being a compulsory part of training for all players to help develop and maintain the right mentality, I'm delighted to hear Brazilian striker Richarlison is going to seek psychological help when he returns to Tottenham.

Richarlison wants psychological help and reveals problems: "People who only had an eye on my money"

Ryan Sessegnon did so and I only hope he has maintained regular contact because like anything, it is always nice to get a top up, even if you don't see an issue.

A sports psychologist's role is also to encourage, applaud, re-establish with the player that they are on the right track and progressing well and that just because a good time has come along that is a cure.

If you are an alcoholic, you are not cured just because you go to rehab and you're not drinking. Every day is a new challenge, every day it could all go horribly wrong. A regular boost to your confidence helps keep you in a happy successful place.

This is yet another case of bolting the stable door after the horse has bolted.

It is a reactive approach, not a proactive approach.

Had he been seeing a psychologist since he signed this would not have happened, the Danny Rose situation would not have happened, the Dele situation would not have happened, the Tanguy Ndombele situation would not have happened, the players giving up on Pochettino would not have happened.

When are the club going to take the lead and become proactive in this area?

Check out the articles on Troy Parrot, Cristian Romero and James Maddison.

The news on Richarlison is both disappointing and encouraging at the same time, but raises the same question that I keep raising here at THBN.

Youngsters are receptive, confidence is fragile.

While everyone remains 100% committed...great.

Now is the time to start the work to prevent that dipping below 100%, not wait until it has then try to fix it. 

It's too late by then.

Prevention is better than cure and if prevention helps us win trophies sooner and regularly, then wouldn't you want the club to be proactive?

COYS

2 comments

  1. I so very strongly agree Clive. I know you've been banging on about this now for many years, and ever since I first heard (read) you say it I was convinced & saw the wisdom of it.

    It's not only crucial for the club, and I'm convinced they will get a performance bonus from it, but also for those young men & women who find themselves in such a competitive environment that means so much to everyonne around them that the pressure is enormous. It's a very rare individual indeed whose character is ready for the downs when they come. A bit like going out for a swim and being caught up in a tsunami!

    Danny Rose showed courage to come out when he did & talk about his problems. He was let down by a system that wasn't ready for him. Richarlison is showing similar courage as well as clear thinking. Let's hope the club can, at least now at this late stage, provide all he needs to allow him to navigate through this difficult time.

    I've personally been very …
  2. I've personally been very frustrated with him for most of his time with us. Clearly he has something which smacks of greatness, yet regularly underperforms woefully. What a waste if he doesn't manage to leverage that talent on the pitch. He still has time, and clearly the sense to realise he needs help in that area of his life.

    I say let's get on board with the various benefits of sports psychologists and reap the early benefits at Spurs.

    COYS!!