Tiger_heart
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2009
- Messages
- 1,794
Well, since this thread is about Psychology...And to quote from many online resources. "There are many examples, and loads of movies, where the work of a sports psychologist has been hailed as being instrumental in both individual and team success. Thus, many, and I guess the OP, are convinced that it has a sound base and will provide athletes with the improvement they crave. On the other hand, others suggest that there is no scientific proof to show that it makes any real difference. Either way, psychology is a qualitative science. No different to players having their our routine and superstitions heading into a game. My point is that sports psychology is not intended to and nor does it replace the physical and technical preparation you need to do to compete at your best. This "best" is a relative measure, based on a player's ability. No amount of phycology would have helped the OP become a better athlete. It may have made him a better (?) person, with a better mental approach to life, but this is of little consequence on the football field. The same applies to our current squad. In the end, I see the game as first and foremost a physical battle. One that we simply don't have the physical presence to compete in, when all it takes is one willing forward from the opposition to cut our defense line to shreds. I can believe I can run through walls, until I actually do.First let me state a few points about me and my storied sporting achievements.
1. I played league until the end of high school and was never the go to talent
2. I boxed after footy for few years again, never shooting the lights out
3. I played soccer in basically 27th division for a couple of seasons
As you can see I was never a superstar athlete nor do I claim to be and this post isn't a flame against the players that pull on the Tigers jersey or the club. However I'm not speaking out of my backside. I understand the effect of not respecting your opposition and the galvanising affect it has on you as a competitor.
The Wests Tigers have a huge problem with psychology both theirs and the opposition.
Every team in the NRL when playing the tigers never drop their heads. They always feel like they can win. This leads to 80 mins of 110% effort. Hard running, hard hitting and pushing the pass with confidence that it will work.
On our side it appears the same to me. Our guys always feel like they can/will lose it. So that hard running stops when the other team get on top, no mater what time in the game it happens. The stinging defence stops because why put your body on the line when you are going to lose any way.
The passes if pushed go to ground because 8 out of 10 times as there isn't any support so why even bother.
We get kids and recruits come in where they have spring in their step for 4 or 5 games and then it hits them as well.
This problem is exemplified in our squad game after game where Api is darting everywhere looking for help and they aren't there. This Club in my eyes has a massive battle ahead not just in balancing a roster around a massively paid five eight but changing the Psychology of every signed player in the entire NRL.
When clubs have to spend x% of their salary cap every year and have a roster of 30 players at a club that is historical battlers. We have to pay overs most of the time for just about every body. So we end up with what we have, a top 17 that is mostly filled with what would be bottom 15 players every where else bar the obvious stand outs.
This post I understand is pointless it wont change anything. like a lot of you I am over it but I honestly don't know how it changes when we now have he current crop of new NRL talent having only ever seen the Tigers be awful. The boost to your confidence making your debut against the Tigers as opposed the Melbourne, Brisbane, Easts, Penrith bust be staggering.
Blast me if you think I'm wrong