The pressure is great on Valerenga players. The mental coach disappeared after relegation last year.
Intelity Square
The short version
- Vålerenga are struggling after a disappointing start in the Obos League.
- The pressure is increasing after the 5-3 loss to Mjondalen and fans are getting impatient.
- Captain Christian Borchgrevink believes players should distance themselves.
- The club has seven coaches in the Opus League but lacks a psychologist
- Head coach Jere Buck is considering hiring a mental coach
Vålerenga beat elite league teams Rosenborg, Strømsgodset, Sarpsborg and Tromsø in the run-up to the match. But the results declined after the seriousness began. After the 5-3 loss to Mjondalen, the fans gave a clear message: the patience stops here!
-We are in a difficult situation. The most important thing is to distance yourself from him. It may be difficult. Once you let the situation consume you, you're a little over it. Our motivation after the Mjondalen loss is that we already have a new game on Wednesday, says Christian Borchgrevink to VG ahead of New Mexico's match against Tromsø on May 1.
The 24-year-old Valerenga captain has faced some of the toughest things. He was the only one to miss the penalty shootout that sent Valerenga to the Opus League.
-Do you miss a mental coach?
– It's hard to say. It would be speculation for me. But we have a lot of experienced people in the coaching staff and in the team. Many have been in this situation before. You always play with pressure in Valerenga. Christian Borchgrevink says the situation was extreme towards the end of last year.
Vålerenga has seven coaches In the Opus League, but it lacks a psychologist. Anne-Hélène Gamelisan was the club's mental coach for a year and a half, but disappeared after relegation.
-We went down and there were some discounts. One might question whether this is the right priority, says Valerenga coach Geir Buck.
-Do you have a mental problem?
-It's always hard not to win enough football matches.
-Are you thinking about bringing a mental coach?
– Everything is evaluated on an ongoing basis. Things cost money too. But I understand that the question is asked when the results are what they are, answers Gear Buck.
Round 3 NM Wednesday
2:30 PM: Bodo/Glimt – Lilleström, Fredrikstad – Rosenborg, Levanger – Bran, Sogndal – KVUM Oslo University, Egersund – Hamkam, Kielsasa – Lysekloster, Eidsvold Törn – Asane.
4:00 pm.: Valerenga – Tromsø, Sandnes Ulf – Oud, Strømsgodset – Kristiansund, Hode – Molde, Tromsdalen – Viking, Arendal – Bryne.
6:00 PM: Ruud – Sarpsborg 08, Ranheim – Rafus.
7:00 p.m.: Alta – Stabek.
Relegation did not in any way ease the pressure on the big Oslo club. 25,103 spectators watched the Oslo derby on 20 April. The match against Lin ended with the Valerenga sporting director being angry against the Valerenga player already publicly sent off during the break.
– Does the pressure on Valerenga players have a negative impact, Ger Bakke?
– Difficult question. There are many clubs that are under pressure and need quality players.
– Does Vålerenga have personal players?
– Of course we have. But there's probably someone who feels uncomfortable, too, Gearback answers.
The Vålerenga coach believes he, along with his experienced coaching team, can handle the pressure.
– It's natural to ask this question, but the mental aspect of being a footballer is worked on every day at Valerenga. There are different tasks in the support device. We had a mental coach last year, but it's not as if mentality isn't on the radar, says Vålerenga's general manager, Sven Graf.
Odd's former head coach, Jan Frode Nornes, works against the pack mentality that plays.
He worked in psychiatry and may be the main official in the training staff. But we have a very experienced coaching staff overall. They have been involved in this type of operation before. “I would say we are well prepared for extreme situations,” says Christian Borchgrevink.
– Last year we went through a terrifying scenario that ended in decline. There is still a set of expectations. But we still have faith, confirms Captain Valerenga.
After NM's encounter with Tromsø at home, Vålerenga continues a back-to-back against Bryne on Saturday. Also in Intelity.
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