09/08/2026
“I know I can perform. I do it all the time in training. But when it’s matchday, it’s different.”
I hear versions of this from players quite often.
And my first question is usually pretty simple:
Are you actually behaving the same way on Saturday as you do on Wednesday?
Because if you prepare differently, think differently, react differently and try to control different things, why would you expect the same performance?
A big part of the problem is also all the advice footballers get about how they should feel before a match.
Be confident.
Pump yourself up.
Get rid of the doubts.
Don’t have negative thoughts.
So you end up spending the hours before the game trying to become some “perfect” version of yourself.
You don’t need to.
You are already good enough to play. You just need to learn how to play while having the thoughts, nerves and emotions that come with caring about the game.
Don’t fight yourself. Fight the opponent.
That is a big part of what I work on with players in mental coaching.
This is the usual work I do as a mental performance coach. If you are feeling stuck in showing off your absolute best, you can send me a DM.