Robbie Thomson: Overcoming The Big Club Illusion
The Goalkeeper's Mindset Podcast
Release Date: 04/15/2021
The Modern Day Goalkeeper: Innovating to High-Perform
The Goalkeeper's Mindset Podcast
In this episode, I am joined by Lee Robinson; one of three brothers who founded ‘The Modern Day Goalkeeper’. Lee has had an incredible career, representing several professional clubs in Scotland including Rangers, Queen of the South and Dunfermline Athletic. After calling time on his career in 2019, he had amassed over 200 professional appearances. However, it was his experiences in the game that motivated him to change the way goalkeeping is viewed and trained in the footballing world. As a result, he and his two brothers started posting clips of them training on Instagram and twitter;...
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Conor O'Keefe: The Journey & The Mountain
The Goalkeeper's Mindset Podcast
In this episode I'm joined by Macclesfield Town goalkeeper Conor O'Keefe. Conor's journey to the professional game has been far from orthodox. Having previously been released by the silkmen after a one year pro deal, Conor pursued his academic qualifcations at Loughborough University which is one of the worlds best academic institutions for high-performance sport. Following the completion of hsi degree and the set-up of his youtube page, he moved to Madrid as part of a year abroad studying. A season of professional football in Spain gave him the taste of football abroad and led him to move to...
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Ethan Ross: Turning the Trainer into the Performer
The Goalkeeper's Mindset Podcast
In this episode, I'm joined by Stockport County FC goalkeeper Ethan Ross who is currently on loan at National League side York City FC. Ethan began his career at Arsenal and following his released, was fast-tracked through West Brom's Academy where he was eventually afforded the oppotunity to train with the first team. Spells at Colchester and Lincoln followed, before a move to Stockport County on a three year deal saw him promoted with The Hatter's. We discuss: The importance of finding enjoyment in football How football requires you to develop from a boy to a man Finding confidence...
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James Bransgrove: There's More to Life than Football
The Goalkeeper's Mindset Podcast
In this episode, I'm joined by non-league and former professional goalkeeper James Bransgrove. James was a young pro at Colchester United who took the brave decision to walk away from the professional game in pursuit of a career in finance and accounting. We discuss the importance of having a 'Plan B' and being proactive when it comes to planning your future as a young player. This episode is incredibly important for everyone involved in the game, as it highlights the benefits of forward thinking and planning for transition away from the game. There are countless examples of individuals who...
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James Belshaw: How to Win in a Game of Opinions
The Goalkeeper's Mindset Podcast
In this Episode I’m re-joined on the podcast by Bristol Rovers promotion winning goalkeeper James Belshaw. Belly has had an incredible year, being let go by Harrogate Town at the bottom of League 2, to winning promotion to League 1 in the course of a season. Belly’s journey highlights exactly why football is a game of opinions, and why an individual’s judgement of you is never final unless you choose to believe it. We reflect on how to deal with adversity, and how to use the mind to deal with opinions and drive performance. We discuss: Bristol Rovers crazy 7-0 win over Scunthorpe...
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Scott Loach: Converting Weaknesses into Superpowers
The Goalkeeper's Mindset Podcast
In this Episode I’m re-joined on the podcast by Chesterfield goalkeeper Scott Loach. Loachy moved to Chesterfield at the beginning of the 2021/22 season after being put on furlough by Barnet towards the end of the Pandemic. Since leaving, he has arguably had one of the most eventful years in his career as a goalkeeper; being called up to the England C squad and facing Chelsea at Stanford Bridge. We reflect on the past year and uncover the secrets to converting weaknesses into superpowers. We discuss: The mental battles of being away from football for prolonged periods of time...
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Nathan Ashmore: Growth After Adversity; The Mental Steps Of Rehabilitation
The Goalkeeper's Mindset Podcast
In this episode I’m joined by Borehamwood and recent Maidenhead United FC loanee goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore. Ash’s football upbringing has made him one of the National Leagues most resilient goalkeeper, working his way through the lower divisions of non-league before securing a move to Ebbsfleet United in the Conference South. With over 300 games of experience, he recently faced his toughest challenge yet with a 4 month stint on the sidelines with injury. We talk about his rehabilitation journey, focusing on the physical and psychological challenges he has experienced in his bid to return...
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Andy Lonergan: Creating Your Own Luck; The Secret To Longevity
The Goalkeeper's Mindset Podcast
In this episode I’m joined by Everton FC goalkeeper Andy Lonergan. Lonners epitomises the word ‘longevity’ in professional football, representing a host of big clubs including Leeds United FC, Fulahm FC and Liverpool FC. Beginning his career at Preston North End as a schoolboy under the guidance of manager David Moyes, he quickly shot to prominence, establishing himself as one of the EFL’s most experienced goalkeepers. We discuss his secrets to longevity and the factors at play when attempting to forge and sustain a successful career in the professional game. We discuss: Differing...
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George Long: Being the Hardest Worker in the Room
The Goalkeeper's Mindset Podcast
In this episode I’m joined by Millwall FC goalkeeper George Long. George shot to prominence as a young goalkeeper at Sheffield United, breaking into the first team as a teenager. A series of loans allowed him to develop before returning to his parent club and amassing over 100 appearances for the Blades. We spent this episode reflecting on the lessons he has learned throughout his career, and how these experiences have contributed to him becoming one of the league’s most high-performance goalkeepers. We discuss: The power of consistency and applying yourself everyday Relentless focus and...
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Simon Moore: Why Mindset is the Epicenter of Performance
The Goalkeeper's Mindset Podcast
In this episode I’m joined by Coventry City goalkeeper Simon Moore. Simon is one of the EFL’s most high-performance goalkeepers, beginning his career in non-league before a earning his first professional contract in the league with Brentford FC. A series of loans and a subsequent promotion winning season at Sheffield United quickly established him as one of the league’s most consistent performers. We go on a journey to uncover the pivotal mindset moments that have define the goalkeeper he has become.
info_outlineIn this episode I’m joined by former Celtic FC and current Raith Rovers FC Goalkeeper Robbie Thomson. Robbie’s career developed through the ranks at Celtic FC where he was called up on several occasions to the Scotland Youth International setup. He shares his thoughts on how mindset has changed his perspective on goalkeeping and why young players today need to be mindful of the illusion that the ‘big club bubble’ can create when forging yourself a career at the top end of the game.
We discuss:
- How the environment at elite clubs can cause young players to overestimate their abilities
- The identity crisis you can experience when leaving a big club and how you can begin to compartmentalise and accept your situation
- The harsh realities of overestimating where you are in your career and what managers in the EFL are looking for in goalkeepers
- What Flow/The Optimal Performance Zone feel like
- Speaking to a psychologist and making himself vulnerable to improve performance in the long run
- Why mindset is always a work-in-progress
- How being released can either be seen as a negative or an opportunity to explore different opportunities in your career
- How different clubs have different performance expectations and how you can go about managing the pressure
Without going over the top, this episode is a must listen for all academy goalkeepers. Robbie has so much knowledge and experience after working in one of the football world’s most elite environments. I found myself reflecting on my career whilst recording this podcast - there are so many great lessons and knowledge bombs which may just alter the course of an aspiring professional goalkeeper’s career for the better.
If you want to add 1% to your game right now, I’m giving you 5% just in this one episode. It’s a hidden gem for sure.
To keep up-to-date with Robbie, you can follow him on:
@robbiethomson93 @properformancegoalkeeping (Instagram)
If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave me a 5-star review and subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or you think you could add value to the podcast by becoming a guest, please contact me (Kev) at:
@theGKmindset (twitter)
@thegoalkeepersmindset (Instagram)