Calm down?

[Alfreton14Blade]

Thought Jurgen Klopp's comments, made after Liverpool's draw yesterday, were interesting. Moreover, maybe thay have some sort of relevance for our own situation?

Klopp talked about the need for the club "to collectively shake off the fear that engulfs the side every time things go against them", suggesting that emotions are running too high, & saying that there's a communal need not to see setbacks as "the end of the world" but instead as things that can be practically worked on in a spirit fuelled by positive belief.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34633899

Not that this gets you a new, dominant centre-half or goalie, or an energetic, influential, aggressive box-to-box midfielder. Nor guarantees of necessary investment. Nor better collective performances or showings from underperforming individuals.

But, in light of what that Millwall fan was posting on here after Saturday's game about them not having the added pressure of "big name" status in this division & lesser expectations, I do reckon the crazy pressure on us is having a significant effect.

 

[coaxingstar71]

It's an interesting point.

You'll get the usual "oh so it's the fans fault is it" brigade but I don't think it's as black and white.
It's interesting that JP refers to the fans backing in his facebook post so I'd be interested in the players and managers opinions on it. I don't think it will happen because players and managers criticising the fans never ends well for them.

When I watch us, I wonder how much the crowds behaviour affects players performance. Against Fleetwood we were totally uninspired, won 3-0 with apparently fans booing the play (personally I didn't think it was obvious). Against Millwall, possibly as a reaction to the previous game, I thought the fans were brilliant even though we lost. It may have also had something to do with the opposition we were playing too.

I think, for example, the fans treatment of McEveley HAS affected his performances. That should never happen. I can never comprehend fans booing their own players - what possible positive can come out of it?

So, I agree that it should be a collective thing. The fans need to back the team, ALL the team, and the team needs to respond and play without fear and perhaps it might inspire some better performances at home.

 

[HighfieldBlade]

Certainly a lot of what Klopp is saying resonates with our own situation - we're a big fish in a small pond (relatively speaking in L1). Not surprisingly, our confidence and self-belief seems to be taking a big knock whenever we dont win. Fans are resilient (this one, at least!) but I've no idea what it does to player confidence. Maybe Klopp (and Adkins) can bring a more holistic approach to the club to make us stronger, instil greater self-belief and be able to sustain a brighter future for us all.

That and a few decent signings...

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

This mental strength thing is massive in football. When it comes down to it, football's all about getting (& holding onto) leads, or recovering from going behind. Mental toughness is all.

Tbh, I'd like Adkins to be really radical (for this level at least) & have the club employ a sports psychologist to work with the players on a daily basis.

More from Jurgen -

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/jurgen-klopp-liverpool-need-work-their-mental-strength-1525670

 

[georgebernardshaw]

To be honest, Alf, I don't think a psychologist would work - that's someone who specialises in the brain area, something our players seem to lack these days

George

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

To be honest, Alf, I don't think a psychologist would work - that's someone who specialises in the brain area, something our players seem to lack these days

George

Oh ye of little faith, George!

Get Sparky strapped up to one of these on his first psychologists' session &, Saturday nights, he'd be tucked up in bed with a cup of cocoa by 9 o'clock latest...

 

[beatific blade]

This mental strength thing is massive in football. When it comes down to it, football's all about getting (& holding onto) leads, or recovering from going behind. Mental toughness is all.

Tbh, I'd like Adkins to be really radical (for this level at least) & have the club employ a sports psychologist to work with the players on a daily basis.

Steve Peters (the guy who worked with Liverpool, England & Team Sky) is based at the Uni of Sheffield. The man that Sir Dave Brailsford referred to as his best ever piece of recruitment is on our doorstep!

 

[Jonboy60]

Or, just go on the piss at week- ends.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Steve Peters (the guy who worked with Liverpool, England & Team Sky) is based at the Uni of Sheffield. The man that Sir Dave Brailsford referred to as his best ever piece of recruitment is on our doorstep!

But where would he find time to fit all 20 000 of us in ;-)

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I think calmness of approach has been part of passing football for a while now.

Commentators and pundits could never work out why Barcelona or whoever were patiently passing it across the back as the clock was running down. The answer: that's how we're set up to score goals.

For whatever reason we occasionally go long, on Satdi Collins played the last five minutes up there. It doesn't usually work at all, but it saves constant shouts of, "Get it up front."

For this reason alone I reckon it's worth sacrificing a few points each season.

 

[blade too long]

Im not making any excuses for us losing , but many a time on here I here complaints about the quality we see at times
well just by comparison , I sat in yesterday and watched the much hyped manchester derby on Sky
dear God , makes you wonder how we complain at times when over a billion pounds plus worth of supposed talent can serve that up as entertainment

Ive seen some dross at the Lane but that compared wonderfully with what we had to put up with

and it answers the riddle why dont our players do it every game
there were 30 went on the pitch at old trafford that didnt do it ,, at all
players who earn in a year what our squad does

 

[blader]

Liverpool are only similar to us in the sense that they have, roughly, the 6th best squad in their league. Therefore, finishing 6th is realistic for the players they have but unacceptable for the fans.

The major difference is that Liverpool have squandered hundreds of millions trying to improve and we haven't spent a dime. Which, in itself, makes me laugh at the 'think Liverpool' comment from those years back!

 

[JohnDenver]

Jurgen Klopp is tremendous. He's got that mixture of charisma, intelligence and a scary streak that all the great managers have.

But he's got a job and a half on at Liverpool. A shaky defence, best players sold and the remainder a mixture of crocks and overpaid underachievers. Now what does that remind me of?

 

[Bladesman]

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Jurgen Klopp is tremendous. He's got that mixture of charisma, intelligence and a scary streak that all the great managers have.

But he's got a job and a half on at Liverpool. A shaky defence, best players sold and the remainder a mixture of crocks and overpaid underachievers. Now what does that remind me of?

Wonder if at his interview he was told to "think Sheffield United"

 

[FleaPitBlade]

Steve Peters (the guy who worked with Liverpool, England & Team Sky) is based at the Uni of Sheffield. The man that Sir Dave Brailsford referred to as his best ever piece of recruitment is on our doorstep!

I'm sure I read an article somewhere that he'd been working with James Wallace?

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

I like Klopp but words are meaningless. In any walk of life if you don't deliver the goods you can say positive, motivating things and come up with all sorts of theories for shortcomings but after a while they don't wash.

The teams that deliver and perform to a high level on a regular basis don't have to discuss these things. It's simple, meet expectations and you don't have to over analyse everything.

Ultimately there are only winners or losers in sport. If you have the talent and want to win badly enough, fear and negative thinking doesn't have a chance to manifest itself. In other words it's always best to crack on with it and stop talking so much.

 

[JohnDenver]

I like Klopp but words are meaningless. In any walk of life if you don't deliver the goods you can say positive, motivating things and come up with all sorts of theories for shortcomings but after a while they don't wash.

The teams that deliver and perform to a high level on a regular basis don't have to discuss these things. It's simple, meet expectations and you don't have to over analyse everything.

Ultimately there are only winners or losers in sport. If you have the talent and want to win badly enough, fear and negative thinking doesn't have a chance to manifest itself. In other words it's always best to crack on with it and stop talking so much.

But that's pretty much what he's saying too. Empty the mental clutter and just bloody play.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

But that's pretty much what he's saying too. Empty the mental clutter and just bloody play.

I guess what I'm also saying is we shouldn't read too much into it. He perhaps has something but at the end of the day we are making excuses for young men who are very lucky to do what they do and get paid a lot for it.

They know nothing of pressure.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

The teams that deliver and perform to a high level on a regular basis don't have to discuss these things. It's simple, meet expectations and you don't have to over analyse everything.

Ultimately there are only winners or losers in sport. If you have the talent and want to win badly enough, fear and negative thinking doesn't have a chance to manifest itself. In other words it's always best to crack on with it and stop talking so much.

Antiquated nonsense.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Antiquated nonsense.

Please elaborate