Part 3 - Players should learn from Harry Kane

Players should learn from Harry Kane

Part 3 of the Spurs Need To Go Mental


Players should learn from Harry Kane

Welcome once again Spurs fans as we continue to look back at a series of articles penned in 2014 by THBN, the 'Spurs Need To Go Mental' series and Part 3 - 'Players Should Learn from Harry Kane', updated 10 years later in March 2024.

In 2012/13 Harry Kane was on loan at Leicester City.

In the 2013/14 season he was still playing for the Development squad, scoring 8 goals in 8 games.

In the Premier League, Kane was mainly not in the squad under André Villas-Boas, but was given:
  • 8 minutes against 16th-placed Cardiff City as a left-winger
  • 15 minutes against 7th-placed Manchester United
  • 1 minute against 13th-placed Hull City
  • 7 minutes against 17th-placed Cardiff City
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AVB career after Spurs:
  • 2014–2016 Zenit Saint Petersburg
  • 2016–2017 Shanghai SIPG
  • 2019–2021 Marseille
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Then Tim Sherwood took over the Tottenham role and we all knew he was an interim manager until the end of the season.

Harry Kane took off as Sherwood showed faith in the promising youngster, who many a Spurs fan had written off as Championship standard:
  • 90 minutes against 18th-placed Sunderland, 1 goal, 1 assist
  • 90 minutes against 16th-placed West Bromwich Albion, 1 goal
  • 90 minutes against 20th-placed Fulham, 1 goal
  • 90 minutes against 10th-placed Stoke City
  • 90 minutes against 12th-placed West Ham United
  • 90 minutes against 15th-placed Aston Villa

I wrote this article after the Fulham game.

As a coach, something was already staring me in the face about him.

He was, or should be, a role model to the senior players, to the youngsters, to everyone.

His mentality stood him apart.

Our main striker at that time if you remember was money-grabbing Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

Harry Kane came out after the Fulham game and echoed comments I had been writing all season, that when you get a chance, you have to take it.
 
Not for Kane the overused lame excuse, I haven't been given a run of games, I haven't been given a chance. 

No, he took his chance with performances that said I belong here.

That's what winning mentalities do.

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When you are picked you should perform, you have no divine right to a place in the Spurs' side and, if you don't perform, why should you be picked again when there is someone else happy to take his chance?

It all comes back to mental attitude and the question, do you have the attitude of a winner or do you expect the manager to pander to you, give you a long run to the possible detriment of the side. just so you can have a run and find some form?

Your form comes from your mind.

If you are not mentally motivated, you won't perform. 

Nabil Bentaleb and Harry Kane were motivated young players.

Andros Townsend however, did nothing when he was given games.

I remember writing a piece about him suggesting you watch him when he's a sub on the bench, he took no interest in the game, the opposite of a winning mentality.

A winning mentality takes in all the information he, or she, can about the opposition, seeking weaknesses of their potential marker, to exploit.

Townsend didn't tune into a game until he had crossed the white line.

A sports psychologist was needed back then! 

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“It has been great to get the chance to get the goals,” Kane said after the game.

“I obviously have three in three now and hopefully get more between now and the end of the season. Tim has given me the chance and at this level you’ve got to take it.

"You’ve got to take your chance every game and I have been able to do that so far to keep my place in the team. There is competition at every level and you have to perform at a high standard.”
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It's good to hear a player with the right attitude and a young one at that. 

The hard work Tim Sherwood has done at Youth Development level is starting to show dividends and he can not be praised highly enough for transforming us in that respect. 

He is simply the best Youth Development guy we have had.

Anyway, back to learning from the mental approach of Harry Kane.

Harry Kane's story exemplifies how a strong mental attitude can elevate a player's career.

He has gone on to be prolific, one of the best strikers in the world and now conquering the Bundesliga and knock-out stages of the UEFA Champions League.

Kane's determination to seize opportunities, regardless of the circumstances, sets a powerful example for aspiring footballers and senior professionals.

Put Harry Kane's attitude into Dele Alli and you have a world-class talent at Jude Bellingham level, but look at the difference now.

Kane's resilience, work ethic and attention to every detail, he employed his own chef for instance, propelled him from being an overlooked youngster to becoming one of the best strikers globally.

His attitude of seizing every chance and performing at a high standard showcases the essence of a winning mentality. 

Players need to cultivate a similar mindset of determination, self-belief, and readiness to perform whenever called upon.

Micky van der Ven seems to be made of the right stuff mentally while with many of the others, there is room for improvement.

A strong mental foundation should be the bedrock of any player, but it's not, hence why sports psychologists should play a greater role in 1st XI player development.

Kane's journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of mindset in overcoming challenges and reaching the pinnacle of a profession.

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A sports psychologist can significantly enhance a professional footballer's mentality, performance, and consistency by focusing on various aspects of mental skills training.

  1. Performance Anxiety and Pre-match Nerves: Sports psychologists assist players in managing performance anxiety and nerves before matches, enabling them to channel their emotions effectively.
  2. Confidence Building: Addressing confidence issues after a poor run of form is crucial. Sports psychologists work on boosting self-confidence and self-belief, essential for consistent performance.

    We have seen this problem with several players, Richarlison recently and Timo Werner at the moment. The German is an ideal candidate for a sports psychologist to give him confidence that he clearly lacks in front if goal.
  3. Dealing with Mistakes: Helping players react positively to mistakes is vital. By providing mental frameworks and tools to cope with errors, psychologists enable players to maintain focus and not let mistakes affect their overall game.

    Pretty crucial for our players given the number of silly goals we give away, which again is down to a lack of concentration and taking things too casually.

    There are most certainly mental improvements in that area.
  4. Managing Negative Self-talk: Sports psychologists assist in changing negative self-talk patterns that can hinder performance, promoting more positive internal dialogue.

    Timo Werner running through on goal has negative thought patterns, Sonny used to have. There is again scope to improve our players mentally
  5. Enhancing Concentration: Improving focus and concentration during games is key to optimal performance. Psychologists work on enhancing players' ability to stay sharp throughout matches.

    Is Yves Bissouma listening, is Destiny Udogie listening, is Emerson Royal listening!
  6. Developing Leadership Skills: Supporting players in developing leadership qualities and effective communication skills contributes to their overall performance on the field.

    Praise where praise is due, we do seem to be improving in this area, Romero, Maddison and Son have stepped up, which incidentally were the three players I suggested could be our next captain. I plumped for Maddison.
  7. Consistency and Routine: Establishing clear routines and enhancing consistency in performance are areas where sports psychologists play a crucial role.

    Consistency of performance is something we suffer with and that's purely a mental thing. A sports psychologist would point out how we raise our game when we are behind in the last quarter of an hour.

    We should be playing with that drive from the start.
  8. Mental Skills Training: Through psychological skills training, psychologists help footballers identify barriers that impede their performance and implement strategies to perform at their best consistently.

    Ask yourself which of our players perform at their best consistently, those that don't are candidates for a sports psychologist.
  9. Team Cohesion: Sports psychologists also work with teams to foster group cohesion, ensuring that players remain unified, focused on team goals and maintain a common identity within the group.

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When you look at it broken down like that you can't deny the potential that is untapped if Tottenham were to get out of the dark ages that still infest the game, despite scientific advances.

Mental advances are not keeping pace and that's the most important part of a footballer!

Sports psychologists could and should, play a pivotal role in optimizing a footballer's mental approach, leading to improved performance and consistency.
 

It's madness not to.

THBN

COYS