Tommy Doyle sits down to discuss how he copes with the mental challenges of Premier League football.
Mentally preparing for a game…
“I think it’s about consistency and knowing that you’ve done everything you can. I always make sure I’ve had enough food, I’m always hydrated, and the rest of it I don’t really worry about because the football’s the easy part for us.”
Recovering from setbacks…
“You just have to keep going, that’s the way it is. It’s part of the game, part of our lives. People take setbacks differently, but I just crack on, carry on, and ultimately they make you stronger.”
Staying level-headed after positives…
“I think it’s the same thing. You have to treat success and failure similarly. You can’t get too high or low, that’s how it is. Sometimes if you take things badly, it can be a downside, but also when you’re doing well and get too arrogant, that can be the same.”
Beginning match preparations…
“You’re preparing all week really. After the game you probably give yourself the day off to relax and recover, and then probably after that, it’s as soon as you’re back on the training pitch, working for the next game, that’s when you’ve got to refocus and switch on.”
Cutting off afterwards…
“It depends if you ever really do switch off. You relax, but as soon as a game finishes, you’re thinking how it went, what you can do better, what you did well, and then you relax when you’re off, but when you’re back in, you’re going over it with the team. You had a day to try and not think about it, but you’ll always be thinking.”
What has changed…
“You feel more comfortable playing. I’ve played a lot of games in the ‘Prem’ now, so you get used to your surroundings, you get used to who you’re playing against, and you back yourself. Nothing’s changed massively, you just play more games and feel more comfortable.”
This article originally featured in Wolves' official 2024/25 matchday programme. Last season's programmes are still available to purchase online through retailers Curtis Sports.
