Is the “Nobody believes in us” strategy the most powerful in all of sports?

I know everyone here just loves the Bombers. But that was an impressive performance vs Collingwood last night...and they are now 3-1 and sitting pretty in a chaotic season.

And reading the quotes from the players, it all seems to be on the back of the “nobody believes in us” ideal.

The coaches have the players convinced that the only people who think they have a chance are the people in the change rooms. Past players, media commentators, the generic ‘man in the street’...true or otherwise, the players really do seem to believe it is them against the world. Then Heppell gets injured, and the sense of “no one rates us” just becomes more real.

It really felt in 2016 - in particular in the lead up to the first 3 finals that Bevo harnesssed this within our club. Plough 100% used it back in ‘97.

True or otherwise, is the concept that “nobody outside of this room” thinks we are any good the most powerful, unbeatable force in sport? And if so, how can we find a little bit of its magic this year or has it been solely reserved for use by the GCS?

It's powerful, but it only works with the downtrodden.

There's no way the Hawks of 2013, 14 and 15 would've bought it.

I think it does work when you have the media, the opposition supporters and everyone not rating you and not talking about you in social media, or picking you in tipping etc. It is an us versus them, combined with a "Why not Us" attitude internally.

However, the playing group need to believe in themselves and have the confidence they can do it. That comes after winning some tough matches that you aren't expected to win.

With the Bombers, it’s 100% true and warranted. No one does believe in them and they shouldn’t.

I know it’s not the point of your post but the Bombers might be 3-1 but they’ve crawled over the line against some average teams & copped Collingwood the week they lose 2 of their most important players.

Same shit happened last year and they were eventually found out.

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Originally Posted by comrade

I know it’s not the point of your post but the Bombers might be 3-1 but they’ve crawled over the line against some average teams & copped Collingwood the week they lose 2 of their most important players.

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Another important part of “nobody believes in us” - having any success you do have overlooked due to the opposition...

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Originally Posted by EasternWest

It's powerful, but it only works with the downtrodden.

There's no way the Hawks of 2013, 14 and 15 would've bought it.

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You don’t think all the criticism of their clearance work and contested ball number helped galvanise them in critical situations?

Is it a strategy? I don't know it seems like ideology. I wonder how it manifests internally and how you track it's effectiveness as a coach.

How do you?

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Originally Posted by mjp

Another important part of “nobody believes in us” - having any success you do have overlooked due to the opposition...

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It can be an awful reality check too. The day that you work out that you have only really beaten a couple of ordinary opponents. I reckon it happens more often than the rest of the comp selling you short. Let's face it. The other teams do a lot of forward analysis and know other team's strengths and weaknesses better than we do.

It does to us anyway!

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Originally Posted by mjp

You don’t think all the criticism of their clearance work and contested ball number helped galvanise them in critical situations?

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Honestly I don't know.

What I do know is that any criticisms they received were probably mitigated because they were strong in other areas.

Mindset is a lot different if you're shit at everything vs. shit at one thing.

Once they actually face some strong teams, the 'no one believes in us' mindset will soon turn into 'oh, it was because we're actually no good'.

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Originally Posted by comrade

Once they actually face some strong teams, the 'no one believes in us' mindset will soon turn into 'oh, it was because we're actually no good'.

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Essendon get pumped every year by the media, story after story and the players believe it, then reality sets in.

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Originally Posted by bornadog

Essendon get pumped every year by the media, story after story and the players believe it, then reality sets in.

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Melbourne too, but in their case it's every second or third year after they provide the old "close but no cigar" effort and the media narrative becomes "Melbourne have definitely learned their lesson this time around and will win the flag this season for sure"

Personally, every success I have had I sport has been as the underdog. I have no idea of the psychology that goes along with that but within yourself if you have no expectations on your shoulders it makes it so much more free.

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Originally Posted by Axe Man

Personally, every success I have had I sport has been as the underdog. I have no idea of the psychology that goes along with that but within yourself if you have no expectations on your shoulders it makes it so much more free.

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It's telling me I can't do something that drives me. I have to prove them wrong.

I used to think it was anger but that just affected my judgement.

It is definitely a powerful message, and was definitely part of Bevo's message in 2016 - although I think he was more instilling belief in the team (Why not us?) than focusing on the lack of belief externally. I think building belief within the squad is the more important component.

I think his focus this year is going to be on developing the team/family aspect of the squad. I think the hubs are a great opportunity for us, with a young squad to all spend time together. I am hoping that giving Bevo more social time with the boys will improve relationships, build trust and show itself with the on-field chemistry.

On the Bombers, I'm sure it's helping that they have an actual coach for the first time in 10 years.