The Downfall Of Ex-Newcastle Striker Nile Ranger: A Sports Psychology View

Dumped Newcastle United player Nile Ranger could be struggling to separate his on and off-pitch personalities, according to a sports psychology expert. 

But Dr Paul Davis from Northumbria University says the troubled 21-year-old could still have a future in professional football, despite constant problems with discipline in training and a series of run-ins with the law during his time at St James' Park.

Newcastle United have agreed to terminate the striker's contract by mutual consent, but his confidence does not seem to have been knocked by the decision. 

He tweeted: "Time to get proper 1st team action.. No more bench boy.. To good 4 that.. But that's the last ill say on that.. But just want every1 to know.”

Dr Davis says Ranger's invincible attitude could be a behaviour he has learned as part of his football training.

He said: “Some players will be trained to develop aggression or anger and use those emotions in a way that gets them higher in terms of arousal.

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VIDEO: Nile Ranger Leaves Newcastle

"But when we take them off the pitch, its difficult to then realise that when the whistle blows, that is the end of those emotions."

But Dr Davis says Ranger's questionable behaviour since joining Newcastle in 2008 will not necessarily bar him from finding success elsewhere. 

He said: "We see a lot of chances given to players who have done things we could never imagine would allow them to continue within their profession.

“With the right guidance, support and in a programme that keeps him on the straight and narrow, Nile Ranger still has hope of a career in football."

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