The issue of how to judge a player has never been more complicated. In an age of algorithms, AI and more stats than the average supporter can comprehend, every single action that a player makes on the pitch is scrutinised more than ever. But for Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, the foundations of success are not nearly so complicated.
Rogers on developing his mindset
“To get to where you are, I like to think you do more than just the individual action that people see,” Rogers explains to FourFourTwo. “It’s more of a period of time, as opposed to a specific goal that you scored – more of a feeling, more of an emotion.
For the former West Brom and Manchester City hopeful, development is about more than a YouTube highlight reel or a positive Footmob rating. “Hard work and a smile, it’s something so simple,” he continues, placing more importance on habits and vibes.“People try to build it up as, ‘It can be this, it can be that’, or, ‘You’ve got to improve this and improve that’. I think it comes back to how you feel when you go out there, the feeling you have when you play the game.”It is a philosophy that values habit-forming and places as much importance on effort as it does outcome. “If you’re at your happiest, smiling and working as hard as you can, then there’s nothing more you can give. You go home feeling you’ve done everything and you can live with the result of whether you’re good enough or not.”
What is key for the 12-time England international is ensuring that emotions do not get the better of you. “When your mind takes you elsewhere and you’re maybe not applying yourself because you’re upset or disappointed, that’s where a problem can come from within,” he adds. “If you give your all and you’re smiling, your best naturally comes out.”Rogers was speaking at PUMA’s new store on Oxford Street in London, the brand’s first European flagship store.
