The Confidence Coach's Sports Psychology Articles
On The Couch With Dr. Martin - 442's Sports Psychology Expert
The Confidence Coach's monthly Sports Psychology Article in 442 magazine. This article was written after Chelsea's Didier Drogba's two goals, secured Chelsea a place in the 2008 Champions League final.
Didier Drogba - Disrespect Me!
Basketball legend Michael Jordan used to thrive on opponents taunts and abuse. He would use them as motivation to prove them wrong. To throw their words right back in their face. For Jordan that abuse was critical currency in his desire to find an edge. That extra something, to take his game to another level.
To the point where the Chicago Bulls PR team would scour the papers for quotes, in which opponents would question Jordan’s superiority. Quotes which would serve as a red rag to the bullish Jordan.
Cricketers around the world would never, for example, get under Australian legend Steve Waugh's skin. For they knew, that if they wound Waugh up, with ill-advised sledging, it would only serve to increase his focus and determination. So wisely, opposing fielders learnt to keep quiet when Waugh came to the crease.
Perhaps Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, will be reflecting on this fact, as the 2007-08 season draws to a close. The Spaniard can only observe, as the Champions League final, is played out, by two other English teams.
In the build up to the semi-final encounter with Chelsea, at Stamford Bridge, Benitez publicly highlighted the tendency of Didier Drogba to dive. Benitez's strategy was designed to both get into the mind of the referee, and into the mind of Drogba.
Well, Benitez certainly got into Drogba's mind. But, perhaps not in the way he intended. For Drogba’s two goals took Chelsea into their first Champions League Final. And afterwards, he admitted that Benitez's words had fired him up. He even had a picture of Benitez pinned up in the home dressing room.
All Drogba’s focus was directed to the one cause. Suddenly Didier Drogba had an enemy. Someone to prove a point to. Someone to challenge. The Ivorian quietly relished the chance, to ram the ill-advised words, back down Benitez’s throat.
Having an enemy, someone who you don't just want to win against, but beat in such a way that they regret having been disrespectful, is the perfect focus for a team or player. Often managers and players have to manufacture such an enemy, to create that critical edge.
It’s a strategy that Sir Alex Ferguson has employed very successfully over the years. Whether it’s the biased BBC or incompetent referees, someone out there is trying to undermine Manchester United. The Us v Them strategy has helped deliver United ten Premier League titles.
For Rafael Benitez it was an unusual psychological error. He is normally so thorough and precise in his preparation. In pinpointing Didier Drogba, he took a calculated gamble. For he could not be absolutely certain, what effect his words would have. In other words he took a strategic risk. And it backfired.
There has been too much loose talk around Anfield this season. Most of the time, Benitez has carefully risen above it. But in the days before the Champions League semi-final, it looked like even the Spanish perfectionist, lost his immunity from the careless talk virus.
Martin Perry: Confidence Coaching & Sports Psychology - 0044 (0) 77897 56425
Back to main Sports Psychology articles page