WHETHER it is motivating players or dealing with the pressures of the job, good psychology has to be an important part of any football manager’s qualities these days.
Scotland’s manager Gordon Strachan may not have formally studied the subject but from the School of Hard Knocks and University of Life, football division, Strachan has a first-class doctorate in all the psychological tricks that a manager needs.
He has been giving a masterclass this week as Scotland have prepared for the vital World Cup qualifying Group F clash with Lithuania in Glasgow tonight. First there was the sending out of Kenny Dalglish to say that the game is not in the "must win" category, when it most certainly is.
Then there was the striking image of Darren Fletcher talking about winning his 75th cap, emphasising the gulf of experience between Strachan’s squad and that of Edgaras Jankauskas.
Yesterday Strachan talked up his opponents, saying how impressed he was with them, and that is always a good tactic when you know that man for man, you have much the better team.
Praising them makes the opposition uncertain as to whether you mean it or not, and at the same time it warns your players that they will actually have to put in a good shift to beat them.
You can also bet that all the brainpower he has, and he has an abundance, will have been turned to the question of picking the team to beat Lithuania tonight and get a least a draw against Slovakia in midweek to set Scotland up for the huge clash with England.
David Marshall or Craig Gordon in goal? Probably the former. Perm two from four in central defence – Christophe Berra and Russell Martin, possibly. Calum Paterson at right-back and either Andrew Robertson or Kieran Tierney at left-back, both in tremendous form.
He will start five in midfield. The captain Fletcher, Robert Snodgrass, James Morrison, James McArthur and James Forrest, but Ikechi Anya, Oliver Burke, Barry Bannan, Shaun Maloney, John McGinn, Matt Ritchie, and Barrie McKay are all capable of making an impact at some point.
It has to be Leigh Griffiths or Steven Fletcher or Chris Martin up front, given that Steven Naismith has had so little game time.
"Some of the areas we are very strong, some I'd like to be stronger,” said Strachan.
“Areas we have not got a problem with is the mental strength, that was proved in the last game.
"Areas we are happy with is their passion and commitment, we have got that as well.
"Areas on the park, left-back, incredible. Those three [Wallace, Tierney and Andrew Robertson] this week, as good as I have seen, those three in training, for one position.
"We have people playing well, people not getting a game for their club, that's a factor, but we still think they're good players."
He added: “I was impressed with Lithuania in their last two games.
“They are a real hard-working side, a bit different from years ago when teams a pot below you would come and sit in. They are quite prepared to push out and close you down and win the ball back. So it should be an interesting game."
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