Matt Jones interviews Chris Coleman who believes it's imperative to have good focus and concentration.
Matt Jones: How important is concentration in football?
Chris Coleman: Concentration and focus, they are very important, just as important as in anything I suppose if you're going to succeed. I've seen a lot of good players on the training ground, but when it comes to the game they can't keep the same levels up on a Saturday.
When there's pressure surrounding them they crumble because their focus and their concentration is not what it should be, so it's imperative to have good focus and concentration. All the great players have got it, that's why they're able to compete at such a high level all the time. Not just their ability and technique but their concentration levels are the best and that's why they become great players.
Profile
Name:
Christopher Coleman
Born:
10 June 1970
From:
Swansea, Wales
Height:
6'2"
Weight:
14st 6lb
Played For:
Fulham, Blackburn, Crystal Palace, Swansea City, Manchester City (Junior)
Last Game Played:
1 January 2001 (Stockport 2-0 Fulham)
Manages: Coventry City FC (February 2008 - present)
Previously Managed:
Fulham (April 2003 - April 2007)
Real Sociedad (June 2007 - January 2008)
Did You Know?
Chris earned his 32nd international cap for Wales when he came on as a substitute in the 1-0 win over Germany.
MJ: The ability to focus for a full game, do you think that's what makes a difference?
CC: I think so, yeah. A great defender, their focus is for 90 minutes, and you see a lot of good defenders but they make mistakes in the last 10 minutes when they get tired and fatigued, and then their judgement is not the same.
But then that's what makes a difference between good players and great players. The great players can do it for 90 minutes, they can be under pressure for 90 minutes and they always make the right choice because the focus is spot on.
MJ: And then you can look at concentration in a different way. You've got it in the park but also as a youngster coming through you've got to concentrate on what you want to be?
CC: Totally. If you want to become a professional football player at any level, when you're growing up you have to make sacrifices, and it's very difficult. It's not easy, but you have to train hard, you have to live right, and you have to rest.
Of course training is very important, but resting is just as important. You have to get your recuperation, and I think all players make that mistake where they train hard but they don't rest enough and even our school boy players we tell them to get a lot of rest.
And that means they've got to make a lot of sacrifices, not going out with their friends so much, because they'll train hard enough no problem, but they've also got to rest properly.
MJ: In your mind Chris, what's the difference between a great player and an average player?
CC: I think average players are able to play well now and again or they'll play very, very well. Good players or great players nine times out of ten they have good games.
And in a 90 minute game they don't make mistakes, or they rarely make mistakes, they're always making the right decision because of focus and their concentration is tip top, and that's what separates being average, good, or great.
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