Fans of the EPL hear this factor discussed frequently and yet its source is often quite different for a particular makeup of players. Some of those top class players seem to secrete it in buckets and it spreads among their mates making the entire collection, the team, more effective day-to-day. Many would say this factor often makes a team better than the sum of its parts and it often comes from those that inspire their mates with their skill. Others infect their mates by their on field performance and energy and what is frequently referred to as a “never say die attitude.”

Players such as Carlos Tevas and Stephen Hunt come to mind. Two players that are able to boost those around them with their work rate, sublime skills or work rate. Others inspire that in their mates with excellence and productivity or sheer excellence such as a Lionel Messi or Wayne Rooney. Then again you have the steady hand and consistent execution of a Frank Lampard, Ryan Giggs, Cesc Fabregas or Paul Scholes that lifts others.

The elusive “confidence” factor can also work the other way of course. Players like the often maligned Dimitar Berbatov is a favorite of the negative impact crowd with his subdued or even sullen expression or those that “act out” in bizarre and sometimes demeaning ways. Concern over the “negatives” of such players can displace their positive impact on a team and upset the delicate balance. Nobody likes to have a Linus dragging that black cloud around everywhere they go and for good reason. Some players just really do have a tendency to do the wrong things at just the right (or wrong) times too. I have my own favorites of this negative impact variety that I won't mention. However, it was just this concern raised earlier this year (the John Terry—Wayne Bridge issue) that threatened to have a negative impact on the England national side, as an example, and fear that it would spread to Chelsea as well.

Terry, often praised as one of the world's top center backs, was working hard trying to get back on form after some niggling injuries. Frankly, in that state he was having a dip in form negatively impacting the Blues and then came the story of his personal issues that threatened the national side. This off the pitch variety of negatives also played a very big part in the demise of Leeds United as the adventures of several of their young players soon infected the performance of the team itself as another famous example of the double edged sword nature of this elusive quality we refer to as “confidence” or lack of it.

Getting back to the pitch, factors quite apart from those that can often impact a team and diminish the elusive quality that is often lumped into the meaning of the term “confidence” really complicates the world of the manager. Such as when a team generates true quality scoring opportunities and are denied by the post or bar or a marvelous piece of skill by the keeper or a defender clearing the ball off the line. These events do frequently deflate the bubble and when it does, it often spreads. That is often when you see a player such as a Tevas or Hunt keep right after it and produce even more chances for his side. That “refuse to submit” attitude often makes a team that “tough nut to crack” which has been in evidence this season at Inter. It is also that approach to the game that makes this sort of player a big fan favorite too.

And of course you have a man like Jose Mourinho. A tactical genius and a coach that clearly is able to get the most, or some would say even more, than a player has to offer on a given day. But perhaps his true genius lies in his audacious public posture that has the affect of deflecting controversy or negatives from his players and directing it to himself. And when he does it he's able to also raise questions in the minds of his next high profile opponent. At that he seems to be unique and even Sir Alex, who does the same for Man United in a bold but very different way, nods his head to Mourinho.

We've seen it recently negatively affect a team that many around the world thought the true heirs to the throne as the best in the world, Barcelona. A team that is often inspired by the audacious skills of the world's best player Lionel Messi. Barcelona is one of those teams that thrive on Messi's sublime skills and ability to take total control of a match such as he did against Arsenal. At the same time, an opponent that can stifle that impact such as Inter did can turn the tables. We witnessed the impact of that success bring down the team that most fans thought would waltz to the Champions League Final. It truly is an attribute, a very elusive one, that can affect a team even as great as Barcelona and on a given day can make the difference.

And Mourinho has done it again inspiring his Inter to a well deserved 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich to lift the Champions League trophy for the first European wide honor for 45 years. Diego Milito, Jose's latest resurrection effort, notched both goals with superb finishing and determined, not to be denied effort. Milito was what some would call a journeyman striker knocking around the Serie A from team to team and this year has risen to heights he never dreamed of (30 goals for the season). The first in the 35th minute will make a great training film for prospective strikers. Milito rose high to get his head to a 60 yard clearance from his keeper then continued his run splitting the Bayern center backs taking an inch perfect pass from Sneijder and burying his shot for the lead. He'd do it again with a spectacular move making his marker look silly with a brilliant turn and deft touch to gain some space and again buried his shot to the back post side netting to seal the win.

It was another sterling performance by Inter engineered by “the Special One” and the very same tactics employed that absorbed the pressure of Barca. The defensive posture of Inter, the organized and efficient play in their own end, knocking down crosses, cutting out passes and blocking shots became a bit boring frankly. The men from Germany were wearing themselves out trying desperately to crack Inter (70% possession) to no avail. Inter's posture took all the flow out of Bayern's attack and they were hard pressed to find a way to break it down. If a team rarely attacks it becomes impossible to catch them in transistion and Bayern simply didn't have the execution from an essential static situation to break down Inter's defense.

It was another wonderful performance by Inter to win the big trophy and complete the treble (domestic title and league cup and now the CL). Proving the confidence and audacious posture of Jose really can inspire his team to rise to the top and he's done it again. Some say he'll get a chance to do it next year at Real Madrid.

Blackpool, twice coming from behind to win the playoff for the final promotion spot with a 3-2 victory over Cardiff City were an inspiration of a different kind. Cardiff took the lead in the 9th minute via Michael Chopra only to see Blackpool level just 4 minutes later (Adam). Peter Whittingham then spotted Ledley, put the ball into space sending him on goal to put Cardiff back on top (37). Again Blackpool got back on even terms just four minutes later from Gary Taylor (41) and the match winner and most valuable goal in the history of Blackpool from Ormerod in first half stoppage time (45).

Blackpool earns promotion to the EPL for the first time with the win and will displace Blackburn as the league's smallest club. And they've earned it by showing a resilience and spirit that carried them forward. Their three quick goals last weekend that ousted Forest rallying them from a losing position there too will become the stuff of legend for supporters and fans of the game. They did it again at Wembley by again refusing the be beaten. That confidence factor often stiffens the backbone and inspires a team to this sort of achievement such as Blackpool have produced this season.

The slow start for Ocean City saw them drop points at home settling for a 1-1 draw with the Northern Virginia Royals on Saturday night. Adam Weidman scored his first PDL goal putting the Nor'Easters on top early (3rd minute) when his attempted cross sailed over the line before being snatched back by the keeper. The goal was awarded after discussion between the referee and linesman who had the better view of whether it had actually crossed the line. In the 38th the Royals leveled when what seemed to be an offside situation led to a break-away goal by Hughes. Both teams would see opportunities to win the match before it was over with Ocean City's Ryan Ritcher being denied by the woodwork late on and a big save by Tunde saved the point for the Nor'Easters in stoppage time.

Ocean City now faces six straight on the road which opens with a mid-week match on Wednesday versus Central Jersey Spartans in Trenton needing to produce an effort that will rejuvenate their confidence to carry them through the difficult run of games.