Swans appoint lauded psychologist who also works with Wales national team
This is definitely something worth applauding. I've often spoke of the growing appreciation of psychology in sport, and how Swansea (and players like Leon Britton & Alan Tate in particular) are great examples of the difference believing you're a winner can make. Roberto Martinez & Brendan Rodgers are both big advocates of working with sports psychologists, and it appears their latest successor at the Swans is a fan too.
The Swans have just appointed Ian Mitchell, who was previously working at Cardiff Metropolitan University, as the Premier League's first 'performance psychologist'. Mitchell has a varied but massively impressive CV, previously holding the role of director of sports science at Cardiff Met for 18 years as well as holding a masters and a PHD. He's also just completed his UEFA A licence, has worked with various Welsh football teams, has already worked with the Swans U18's and U21's, and has just been appointed by Chris Coleman to perform the same role he'll be carrying out for the Swans. No stranger to football, he started out playing as a youngster with the Chelsea academy before moving on to Hereford, but a succession of serious injuries curtailed his professional playing career. That didn't stop him playing over three hundred games for Merthyr whilst part-time though!
He's already out working with the squad on the US tour, and the way he's spoken about his role following his appointment gives plenty of reason to be positive:
“I’m looking forward to the challenge. I will be working closely with Garry, the medical and technical staff and the players to optimise preparation and performance. There has been a bit of a stigma with psychology in the past because people tend to associate it with mental problems, but the game has evolved so much that it is now being introduced more and more to the benefit of individual players and the team as a whole.
“Using psychology during rehabilitation is a typical example as many injured players face a number of highly stressful demands that have the potential to significantly affect their recovery and return to games. Common responses of injured players include the feelings of isolation, the inability to train, slowness of progress, rehabilitation setbacks, weight gain, a loss of confidence and a fear of re-injury. There can be shock, tension, depression, anger, confusion, frustration and anxiety as they feel isolated and dis-engagement from the squad. It’s important we help them through that rehabilitation process to restore confidence for their return to full training and a competitive game situation.
“It’s important that we’re not too compliant. I’m yet to see the perfect model, so we can improve in everything that we do. As staff and players we need to reflect on our strengths and weaknesses and challenge each other to be the best we can. With the whole world watching and analysing the Premier League, it can be an unforgiving and pressurised place to be as a footballer. That’s why the players have got to be resilient in order to bounce back from mistakes, defeats and to maintain a high level of performance.
“When it gets tough you’ve got to be determined to get through it. Part of my job is to work towards establishing that mental toughness, confidence, resilience and emotional control to do just that. I think you will see a lot more psychologists becoming involved in top level football over the next few years. I know it is something the Swansea chairman is keen to develop at the club by integrating what we are doing at first team level into the Academy system.’’
http://www.newswales.co.uk/index.cfm?section=Sport&F=1&id=27506
As I mentioned above, I believe the Swans are a perfect example of the difference psychology makes. A system was installed at the club, and the player's belief in that system allowed it to flourish, and made the whole greater than the sum of its parts. This has allowed us to use players who other clubs have discarded out of hand, and turn them into confident, positive footballers more than deserving of their places in a top football club.
Of course, a huge part of the players buying into the system (and continuing to draw confidence from it) has been the Swans' continued success. This has meant that, when the proverbial hits the fan, the Swans can rely on a justified belief that if they stick to what they know and keep the ball at their feet, the results will more often than not sort themselves out. We saw the difference in the team last season when our "plan A" became diluted. Players looked - at times - bereft of confidence and with the Swans so heavily reliant on the system, when the system faltered it affected everyone.
This was the first real "crisis of confidence" we'd faced since Martinez came in, and these are the situations where having a top-notch psychologist on board can make all the difference. As much as the club are keen on an old-school "bootroom style" environment, certain aspects of old-fashioned management are fast fading into obscurity, and the need to support players through difficult times is becoming more and more evident as access to them becomes easier through social media and the like. More of the arm 'round the shoulder, less of the ol' hairdryer.
I look forward to hearing more about the work Dr Mitchell is doing with the club as the season progresses, and I'm proud that the club are the first in the Premier League to appoint a full time performance psychologist. First club with supporter representation on the board...first with a performance psychologist... what next?!