Coach of struggling Deportivo takes players to psychologist

Oct 16, 2010, 10:36 GMT

Madrid - Miguel Angel Lotina, the embattled coach of struggling Spanish Liga side Deportivo Coruna, has ordered his players to visit a top psychologist, according to sports daily AS on Saturday.

He has set up hour-long individual sessions next week for all of his players with Joaquin Dosil, a psychologist who specializes in sport.

On Friday the Deportivo squad had an introductory collective session with Dosil, with Lotina and his assistants present.

Veteran club captain Manuel Pablo is quoted by AS as saying that 'we wanted to talk about everything. We are not in our best moment and it is clear that these sessions can only help us.'

Fallen giants Deportivo - who won La Liga in 2000 and almost reached the final of the Champions League in 2004 - have made their worst start ever in the first division. They are rock bottom with just three points from six games.

The Coruna club used to sign big-name players like Rivaldo, Djalminha and Roy Makaay, but have drastically reduced their budget in recent years.

Psychologists have rarely been used before in Spanish football.

Midfielder Ruben Perez is just as positive as Manuel Pablo about this new approach. 'The purpose of the session was to improve things, not to blame anyone for what has been done badly. We talked about the team being in a difficult situation...These things give you strength and help you not to give up hope.'

If Deportivo fail to beat fellow strugglers Osasuna at home on Sunday then Lotina will probably be sacked.

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