The Importance of Emotional Control in Football

The Importance of Emotional Control in Football


A Difficult Decision for Chelsea

On a Saturday afternoon, Chelsea faced a challenging situation in a Premier League match against West Ham United. In the 89th minute, the referee did not award a penalty for an incident involving West Ham substitute Tomas Soucek. The decision left Chelsea on the losing side.

The West Ham Coach's Reasonable Response

West Ham's head coach, Graham Potter, demonstrated a level-headed response to the situation. He showed a good example of controlling emotions and remaining professional. However, the author suggests that some fans may have preferred to see a more passionate reaction from their coach.

Fans' Desires for Emotional Outbursts

Football supporters can be divided on the importance of emotional control in a coach. Some may appreciate a calm and composed demeanor, while others may want to see their coach let their emotions run wild. The non-award of the penalty increased frustration among Chelsea fans, who have been accustomed to watching coaches such as Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, and Thomas Tuchel display strong emotional responses to controversial decisions.

Balancing Passion and Professionalism

The situation highlights the delicate balance that coaches and managers must maintain between showing passion and maintaining professionalism. Each individual will handle such situations differently, and it is up to the coach to determine the best approach for their team.



"New Style of Leadership":

Nobody expects Potter to adopt the same demeanor as previous managers such as Conte, who were known for haranguing officials. Potter's approach, in which he doesn't let his emotions get the best of him, is commendable.

However, fans are calling for Potter to show more emotion and make it evident that he is fully invested in fighting for the club.

"Motivation for the Team":

Potter's players could also benefit from seeing him let loose every now and then, especially after a lackluster second-half performance during the recent draw against West Ham United.

"Criticism of Potter's Response":

Potter's response to the penalty decision was criticized by BT pundits, who felt that his statement, "These are the little things you need to go in your favor and at the moment they are not, so that's life and there is nothing to complain about," was not enough. Chelsea supporters felt that there was definitely something to complain about, as West Ham's Tomas Soucek was not penalized for using his hand to stop a shot.

 


Potter's Reaction to Incident Raises Questions

West Ham United head coach Graham Potter's response to the controversial 89th-minute penalty decision against Chelsea was not enough to satisfy the fans and former players. While Potter's reactions have always been diplomatic and professional, the BT pundits felt that he could have expressed more emotion and anger to show his support for the club.

Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole said: “He’s always diplomatic, he’s doing a fantastic job, but I think if he had someone in his staff who’s maybe been at that level, managed at that level, you need to cause a bit of an uproar because it does two things. It takes the deflection from the bad elements of your performance, and it also puts it on VAR.”

Rio Ferdinand added: "Former Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho, would have been at it in that press conference today and it would have been the story of tomorrow. The back page would have been ‘Mourinho slams VAR,’ and it takes the gloss off what happened on the pitch."

While Potter's reaction to the incident was stronger in the written media, as he wryly said: “I thought it was a good save. You need your keeper sometimes to get you a point.” But this wasn't the time for jokes or sarcasm. It was time to show his fighting spirit and claim that Chelsea had been robbed.

Chelsea's Performance Raises Questions

Despite the controversy surrounding the penalty decision, Chelsea's performance in the second half of the game was lacking. They had started off strong, taking the lead through Joao Felix within the first 20 minutes, but allowed West Ham to equalize through Emerson after Reece James switched off at the back post. The draw at the London Stadium means Potter's team has only won twice in 13 Premier League games, and the frustration of the fans has been cranked up several levels.

 




Potter's squad lacked energy in the latter half of the game, yet a penalty should have been awarded for Gallagher's final attempt on goal. Even West Ham manager David Moyes expressed stronger opinions on the matter when asked if the decision was a form of retribution for the incorrect disallowance of Maxwel Cornet's goal at Stamford Bridge. Moyes stated that it could never compare to what happened to his team at Chelsea and referred to the Cornet incident as game-changing. The experienced manager understands the importance of standing up for one's team and while Potter is praised for his coaching skills and emotional intelligence, he must also learn to defend his players when necessary.

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