Discussing the mental side of the game with Wolves' Portuguese wide man Rodrigo Gomes, who expresses the importance of staying level-headed in every situation.
Mentally preparing for a game…
“I don’t have a set ritual or routine that I do before every game. I just try to stay calm, know what I need to do, know what players I will face and prepare that way.”
Recovering from setbacks…
“I always try to stay positive, no matter what happens. I know that if bad things happen, then I will work even harder the next day. Working hard every day is the only way you can recover from bad things.”
Staying level-headed after positives…
“In Portugal we have an expression which I’m not sure if you use in England, but it translates to ‘the feet always stay on the floor’. I always think that way. It’s not that I don’t let myself feel happy, but I try not to get too happy. If good things happen, stay calm and keep your feet on the ground.”
Beginning match preparations…
“I always start thinking about the next game straight after the last one. At the start of the week I will be mentally preparing, begin to know who are the players I will face, know about the team, what I need to do, and also what I need to do to stop them.”
Cutting off afterwards…
“After the game I try to relax and avoid anything about the game and that moment. But the next day, I will probably watch a few things from the game which I can use to improve my game and improve myself, but I try not to think too much about it.”
What has changed…
“Every year, my mentality has grown and turned better. I think that’s a normal thing, you get better at anything with experience. I think I’m better than I was, but probably next year, I’ll be even better than I am now. I’m always improving my football and my mentality.”
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.
