Eriksson - master tactician.
SVEN'S THE MIND GAMES MASTER
By Ken Gaunt, PA Sport
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A leading psychologist believes England have the correct mentality ahead of
the match with Brazil.
That's why Cary Cooper is confident the team fashioned by coach Sven-Goran
Eriksson can progress into the World Cup semi-finals.
"What we have to fight against is a mindset that Brazil are the best team in
the world," said Cooper, professor of occupational psychology at the University
of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST).
"England could be the best team in the world and the mindset should be open
and not be stereotyped.
"Eriksson has conveyed to the players that they can win; that they have the
talent. He is the epitome of the kind of manager the England team needs at a
time like this.
"Other times you might need an inspirational guy like Kevin Keegan. Eriksson
is not inspirational in that sense.
"But what you need in a very stressful tournament that goes over weeks is
very calm, considered people who give the players a feeling of stability and
that they can actually do the business.
"The more successful Eriksson is, the more he gives them the self-confidence
that they can win. And that's what he's done.
"England are going to win this match because the expectations aren't heavy on
them, because they have the self-confidence Sven has given them and because they
have very talented players."
Cooper says he has enjoyed watching the collective body language of the
England team.
"I have been impressed by their performances, their attitude, and their
desire to win, particularly against good opposition," he said.
"They definitely went up a notch when they played Argentina. So this bodes
well for the Brazil match."
Cooper is convinced the coach's chat to the players immediately before the
game will be soft words rather than a battlecry.
"Sven's team talk will be a simple one," he said. "It will be along the
lines of telling the players to just play their best.
"One thing you can be sure of, he won't instil aggression in them. It's not
his style."
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