The secret behind Bale, Hart and Shaw's great form this season - a sports psychologist?

Gareth Bale has had a great start to the 2015/16 season

The use of sports science and technology in modern day football is incomprehensible. Players do not start training without minor routine check-ups, the use of latest technological advancements in training is as common as using bibs or cones and the amount of time spent going through videos, graphs and statistics is way more than what it used to be a few years ago. Evidently, it pays off.

Another such invaluable branch of sports science is sports psychology. Sometimes we fail to comprehend the pivotal role it plays in the career of a player. Gareth Bale, Luke Shaw and Joe Hart have all been in great form, and all three of them sought guidance from sports psychologist Jamie Edwards this summer before going into the season.

Gareth Bale has been spectacular for both Real Madrid and Wales this season so far, while Luke Shaw has started the season very well for Manchester United, having overcome his fitness problems. The 20-year-old has started each and every one of United’s games this season and has produced very consistent performances.

Joe Hart has kept six consecutive clean sheets for club and country. It is safe to assume that the solidity he offers Manchester City in defence is one important reason behind City being at the top of the league,.

There are two things these three players share: They did not have their best seasons last year and they got counselled by Jamie Edwards over the summer, resulting in blistering starts to the new campaign.

Who is Jamie Edwards?

Jamie Edwards is a sports psychologist or a ‘peak-performance-coach’. A former basketball player who represented England at the Commonwealth Games in the 90’s, Edwards focuses on dealing with what goes on in the minds of athletes.

Jamie Edwards is the common factor behind Bale, Shaw and Hart's good performances

Edwards’ unconventional approach to dealing with something abstract has made him stand out among his peers. He does not entertain the concept behind the power of positive thinking and instead, advises his clients to be more realistic with their targets.

The three players’ drastic change in form and attitude is a testament to his work behind the scenes. Sports psychology may often slip under the radar amidst the horde of technological and scientific methods used to condition footballers, but its importance is paramount in this demanding and uncompromising era.

Clearly, his methods work, and monitoring their performances over the season will give everyone a better indication of how Edwards’ ways are with players.