Players see using sports psychologist as sign of weakness, warns Allardyce

The West Ham United manager believes too many clubs in England underrate the value of using psychologists to get players ready for a match. Watch our video interview here.

Sam Allardyce, the West Ham United manager, has previously managed Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League.
Powered by automated translation

English Premier League clubs do not place enough value on using sports psychology to motivate players through a season, according to Sam Allardyce, the West Ham United manager.

The Hammers coach has been a long-time advocate of using psychologists to help his players since his days in charge of Bolton Wanderers.

But Allardyce, who guided West Ham back into the Premier League last season, believes too many players and managers are mistrustful of using psychologists to improve their mental focus.

"I think it's in England it's grossly underrated and undervalued," he told Abu Dhabi sport.

"I think far too many people see it as only for weak people and nothing's further from the truth in my opinion.

"The basis of the sports psychologist is to make sure the mind is as sharp as it can be.

"It's about training the mind to visualise and to set your goals first and foremost on a game to game basis, to make sure the player plays well."

Watch the full interview with Sam Allardyce here.