England Under-21 hero Alfie Mawson thanks sports psychologist Rebecca Symes for instilling winning mentality
Swansea defender, who scored against Slovakia, insists Symes is a 'vibrant, positive soul' in the Young Lions camp
ENGLAND hero Alfie Mawson paid tribute to the woman who has got the Under-21s’ minds focused on Euro glory.
The Swansea defender scored a first goal for his country as the Young Lions came from behind to beat Slovakia 2-1 in a match they had to win to stay in the tournament.
It put Aidy Boothroyd’s boys top of Group A and on course for a place in the semi-finals.
Mawson believes the main reason for this is the work the squad have been doing with sports psychologist Rebecca Symes.
Symes previously worked with athletes at the Paralympics in London and Rio and spent nine years working with Surrey County Cricket Club.
She has also worked with stars in a variety of sports, including mixed martial arts.
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Mawson, 23, said: “Different players take different things from her.
“For me the biggest thing she told us, which I have taken on board, is remember three things you do when you play well. So for me as a defender it might be a clearance, a block or a positional thing. Whereas a striker might remember a good run or the way he struck a ball for a goal.
“She doesn’t want us to overthink them, just remember them so they creep into the back of your mind, subconsciously.
“She is a vibrant, positive soul and wants to pass on positivity.”
The decision by Boothroyd to take a sports psychologist with him to Poland raised a few eyebrows as it has never previously been done with an England development side.
Symes runs the company Sporting Success and is well respected in her field.
And while not directly employed by the FA, there is a feeling in the England camp if the U21s continue to do well, she could be contracted to work with the senior squad at next year’s World Cup in Russia.
Mawson added: “The little details, the percentages add up. We could easily have crumbled when we went one down against Slovakia but we stood up to it. We stuck to the task and passed with flying colours.
“The pressure was on. People might say the English cannot hack it, but we showed there is a new breed of players coming through who are progressing the right way.
“We now feel we have the strength of character and the personalities to overcome when we are up against the wall. We are together and we push on.
“It was my first goal for my country and I was buzzing, fantastic. I was proud for me and my family. I’m a bit old in the 21s and it came a bit late in my career. But it was a great feeling and it won’t go away for a long time.”
England will guarantee their place in the last four with a win over hosts Poland in their final group game here tomorrow — although a draw could be enough if Sweden do not beat Slovakia.
Mawson said: “Poland will be a big game and the atmosphere will be twice as hostile as Slovakia.
“It is sold out. It is stuff you thrive off and I cannot wait.”