'Perception versus perspective' - Bamford on sports psychologist

Bamford celebrates with his team-mates after his goal against Peterborough in JanuaryImage source, Getty Images
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Patrick Bamford says a sports psychologist helps him remain in "a state of equilibrium".

The Leeds striker has found his way back into Daniel Farke's plans recently and told the My Mate's A Footballer podcast how his support team makes a big difference to his wellbeing.

"One example would be I was getting stressed about when you first become a dad and the baby - pretty much all it sees is the mum. The dad is kind of, I don't want to say irrelevant, but there's definitely more of an attachment to the mum for the first few months.

"It wasn't even something that worried me but it came up in conversation with him and he basically put everything at ease about it, saying it's normal, don't worry about it.

"He has quite interesting analogies and methods of thinking about things in a different way. All of a sudden, when you sit back and think about it that way you're like 'oh well, it's not really that big of a problem is it?'"

Bamford has 55 goals in 175 games for Leeds but, after a number of injury problems, has struggled to regain his place as the main striker for the Whites.

He says his sports psychologist has helped him navigate difficult times.

"There's something he's mentioned before of perception versus perspective," Baamford said. "My perception of something is my perception which doesn't mean it's right or wrong but it's probably different to someone else's perspective of it.

"But then if I look at it from a different perspective and ignore what my attachments or feelings are towards it and just look at it as a plain and simple thing, then you think 'come on, what are you even getting riled up about?'

"On a day-to-day basis it's making sure you're in a state of like equilibrium where you're just balanced, you're not too high or low, you're relaxed with everything.

"He's a strong believer in when one thing's going right, everything seems to go right. So, it's controlling what you can control - whether it's at home, making sure all that stuff is good - and then the focus turns towards the game the day before and the day of the game."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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