Experts say hosting the World Cup ‘could be an extraordinary advantage’ for England – but only ‘if they’ve managed the psychology in the good way’Its World Cup anthem time. There is a red rose on your chest and you are standing on the pitch at Twickenham. Up in the stands all you can see are tense English faces. Failure is unthinkable. As the New Zealand coach,Steve Hansen, correctly observed the other day: “The astronomical thing England have to cope with is the massive expectation on them at home … the English will expect them to win.”If anyone understands the pros and cons of home advantage it is the All Blacks. Four years ago they lifted the Webb Ellis Cup despite knowing an entire nation would never forgive them if they fell short. Brazil’s footballers, or in a similar situation final year,coped rather less well. Playing at home only takes you so far, as England will shortly discover. “This World Cup has several potential winners which means the quality of their mental preparation could invent all the contrast, or ” says Jeremy Snape,the former England cricketer turned performance coach.
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Source: theguardian.com