The Dressing Room - Positive Energy & Good Vibes - Ali's Words

Game Week 2 is set to kick off in about two hours and we’re all in the dressing room now. I’m sitting here and absolutely loving the vibe. The importance of the dressing room vibe and atmosphere in football cannot be overstated. It tells you everything about the mindset with which the team will approach the game. I see the coaches setting up the kits, the positive energy among the boys, and the music they’re listening to; and it all reflects a high level of focus and determination. I feel they are very confident and keen to correct the mistakes of last weekend. Whether or not I’m right, we’ll find out in a couple of hours.

On a personal note, this is the kind of excitement I miss as a former player. Nothing compares to the feelings of camaraderie and excitement in the dressing room before a match. As coaches, we sometimes joke with the players and say we’ll see you guys on the battlefield. It may be a joke but there’s also a truth to it. That’s because the game of football did originate as a war game. It pit eleven men against another eleven and both groups would try to invade each other. Whichever group was stronger and more together always won.?

What I mean to say is football demands collective efforts. Whether that’s focus, determination, or fluidity, it all has to be on a team level, not an individual level. And it all starts with the feeling in the dressing room because that will naturally translate onto the field. With the way things are looking so far (in the dressing room), I’m very hopeful about this match. Let’s see how it pans out.?