How Senne developed his steely mindset

The Belgium international joined the club on transfer deadline day in August and was afforded a period of time to acclimatise, before making his debut in October. 

Noticeably calm and composed throughout his six appearances so far, Lammens has made an encouraging start and there is genuine optimism amongst fans for the future of the 23-year-old.

Senne joined our Inside Carrington team last Friday, with former United goalkeeper Ben Foster dialling in to explore the new recruit’s start to life as a Red. 

After discussing their shared love of cycling, Foster pays tribute to the way Lammens has calmly gone about his work so far. “I love the way that you've come into the club and you don't seem fazed by everything,” explains Ben. 

“I'm a big fan of watching a goalkeeper, their body language and how they wear their face, if that makes sense, how they're looking around the stadium, how they react to certain actions that might happen in the game. And you seem to be so controlled with everything that's happening in front of you.”

In response, Senne speaks candidly about his measured personality and the work he does to ensure he’s mentally prepared for the challenges of goalkeeping. “I think that's one of my biggest strengths,” states Lammens. 

“It always has been a little bit because my character is also a bit more relaxed, at ease, more mellow. Not really going too high or too low with your feelings. 

“I think also as a goalkeeper, if you want to be a support to the team as well, you have to be reliable and not always doing the most crazy stuff but just doing the simple things good. And, like you said, body language is also very important. It gives off a good feeling also for myself, so I agree as well. 

“It's also something I'm proud of and always something I checked myself on every game, not doing too much or going too high in emotions. I think also my second game in Liverpool, most of the guys asked me how it felt, but, to be honest, being here, almost every game feels the same.

“It’s the Premier League, it’s one of the biggest competitions and it's always the next level for me. It is always something I've handled really well.”

Senne continues: “When I was growing up, I had more difficulties with it because, as a young goalkeeper, it's difficult. I wasn't always the best one in my age group. And I also made a lot of mistakes. As a young goalkeeper, it's really difficult sometimes to get over those mistakes. But then you just keep working on it.

“It's also confidence, doing the work, the prep, every day in training and just having the confidence to do it in the game as well. It's nothing different than in training. I think also having the same prep every time for a game. 

“You feel at ease and the same. Warming up the same leading up to a game, so every game is quite the same, even though every game is different during the game itself. So just having that mindset a little bit. 

“I did some psychology work when I was growing up, but now I don't really need it. I help myself more and I like to journal a lot as well, to be honest, writing down a little bit after every game. It makes it easier on the mind, as well, to not always think too much after games. Just write it down and then it's out of the head.”

The psychology of a goalkeeper is a subject close to Foster’s heart following a long and successful playing career that featured three seasons at United, between 2007 and 2010. He made 27 appearances as a Red and competed with Edwin van der Sar for the starting berth but struggled to handle the spotlight that shone on the club. 

Ben speaks openly about that period to underline why he is so impressed by Senne’s start. “I don't know if I could have done that at 23. In fact, I actually tried, didn't I!

“When I was at United, I think I was 23, 24, and I just couldn't deal with that expectation. I just couldn't deal with that expectation. I just felt like I had the watching world on me. And it was such a heavy weight on my shoulders. That's the bit that I'm talking about. Senne, I'm so impressed.”