The Sports
Psychology Blog
Today's Sports Psychology blog comes after a poll on a Spanish website where readers have voted ex Real Madrid player Jonathan Woodgate, the worst signing of the 21st century.
Football: Jonathan Woodgate - I'll Show The *******!
So Jonathan Woodgate is the worst signing of the 21st century, according to Spanish football fans. Has Jonathan read this? If I was Gareth Southgate I would make sure he did. 'Here son - this is what they think of you'. Then walk away.
And let him brood on it. Simmer. Build up inside. Until he decides to show them. To prove them wrong. What do they know? To make this season his best season yet. Set big goals. To win the PFA Player Of The Year Award. To become first-choice England number five. To aim to return to Spain with Middlesboro. As a dominant presence at the back.
If he slacks for a moment, then Southgate should be back taunting him again. The desire to prove someone wrong is a powerful motivation. It drives many high achievers. Motivated by a teacher who said they wouldn't amount to anything. Or a coach who dropped them. An opponent who disrespected them. Michael Jordan used to encourage disrespect. It gave him the critical edge. Maybe like Seb Coe driven to prove the critical British press wrong at the Moscow Olympics.
Motivation - It's precious fuel. And Southgate should use it wisely.
