I was never, ever physically afraid. My terms of reference were basic and simple: put the ball in the net. That was my job, that's the way I saw it, and I allowed nothing and nobody to distract me from that purpose.
Brian CloughRead
Players lose you games, not tactics. There's so much crap talked about tactics by people who barely know how to win at dominoes.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The effectiveness of a game relies more on the players than on tactics.
In this quote, Brian Clough emphasizes that it's the skill and capabilities of the players that determine the outcome of a game, rather than the tactics employed by the coach. He criticizes the overemphasis on strategies by those who lack the fundamental understanding of winning, suggesting that practical skills and talent are paramount in achieving success in sports.
Themes
PlayersTacticsWinningCoachingSuccess
In practice
Example use cases
In a sports management seminar, one might say this quote to inspire emphasis on player development.
More from Brian Clough
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I remember going from rookie ball to A, to double A, then to triple A. At every level it seemed like the game was faster. The bigger the situation, the more the game speeds up. That's all mental. It messes people up.
Derek JeterRead