Was on a sports psychology seminar last night taken by John Brierly http://www.shs.brookes.ac.uk/john-brierley amongst other things the issue of home advantage was covered:- "HOME COURT ADVANTAGE (BAUMEISTER 1984) * Sports teams win more game at home than away (52-70%) * Effect is greater in smaller indoor sports * This advantage was maintained then reversed in "playoff" situations ( Home court disadvantage in deciding games) * "Championship Choke" trend is being countered by coaching intervention" The effect of the larger and noisier than normal home crowd, team & person expectation, over eagerness to succeed, the huge reward for success etc has a negative mental effect on many players. We have some of the most technically skillful and creative players in the league but are the team and coaching staff able to identify and meet the mental challenges tomorrows game will pose? I believe they will but I expect the performance against Leeds will cause many to doubt. Hopefully that performance (and the 1st leg) will have identified those who didn't perform to expected levels and had the sports psycho's at the club in overdrive for the past few days! Just something else to discuss apart form ticket sales, selection, formation etc to fill the void until tomorrow:smiley-sport029::smiley-sport029::smiley-sport029:
Being an academic myself, I wouldn't consider anything that's emanated from the inferior side of Oxford's educational institutions.
