Discussing the mental side of the game with Wolves defender Matt Doherty, who admits his level-headedness has been a blessing throughout his career.
Mentally preparing for a game…
“My advice to people would be to not follow my approach because I don’t do anything special! I’d just be on my phone like an hour before the game, but obviously pre-match I follow the same schedule every game as we’re all on the same eating schedule and everything like that. In the days leading up to the game, you know it’s coming but in terms of actually changing how you prepare, I just keep everything the same, I still go to bed at whatever time I want and if I’m playing or not, I’m not doing anything differently.”
Recovering from setbacks…
“I don’t take too long to dissect games. I never get too high and I never get too low, I’m just in the middle all the time. Whenever we lose I’ll just continue as I am, whenever we win I’ll just continue. I never let a win or a loss affect me too much.”
Staying level-headed after positives…
“It comes easy to me to stay level. It’s just natural. That’s just the way I am, it’s the way I’ve always been and it’s the personality I have. I’m always middle of the road and to the outside it probably looks like I don’t care at times because I’m not one for showing my emotions, but I just never get too excited. It works because I’m not taking the game home with me.”
Beginning match preparations…
“I usually start thinking about a game on a Saturday on a Friday. Obviously, all your training throughout the week is leading up to it, but the day before is when you start to properly think about it, you start to think about your fluids and everything around it, and then I fully switch on when the whistle goes.”
Cutting off afterwards…
“I forget about it probably just after the manager has spoken after the game in the dressing room. I get in the shower and I’m able to just completely turn it off and go home. I then get back into training during the week and then get ready for the next game, without ever thinking about it too much.”
What has changed…
“I’ve always been the same way. You can ask any of my teammates or coaches throughout my career, I’ve always been consistently the same, my behaviour has never really changed and it’s just a trait of mine to never get too high, never get too low and just take things as they are and never let the little things bother you too much.”
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.
