Wriggly
Banned
His statistical analysis would suggest otherwise. Unless you're arguing that teams go into such games more prepared or 'willing' to lose, because they know they'll have that as an excuse?
If I know my manager is going to mention how tired I am If I lose a game of football, I am not 'willing' to lose it but I know I have an pre-excuse ready. I don't want to lose the game, but then again I'm not that fussed if we do, the pressure is off me cause I'm tired. As I mentioned in a previous thread, Jol couldnt believe it when he first came to Spurs that we seemed to 'accept' defeat and no-one around the club seemed that fussed about it.
Liken it to a toddler with a cup of juice. As your passing the cup to him, mention it a few times 'dont drop the cup over the floor son', be careful. There's a good chance he'll drop it as the ideas of it has been planted and he will now think about it more. Give it to the same kid but say nothing, I would pretty much bet my left testicle that he will drink it without a problem.
Now it may be down at a psycological level but if you put that kind of excuse into a players head before he has kicked a ball, thats dangerous.