He's been the runner for the last few games.

I've noticed a lot of teams are having ex players as runners now. Collingwood had Lockyer for the first time today. I think because of only now being allowed one runner, having someone with playing experience helps.

Did anyone notice Geelong has Nigal Lappin as there runner?

Hard not to, he keeps getting in my way.

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#DonTheStash

I would give Dr Strangelove 2 out of 10.

The effort was from the players was the only reason we got half close.

Once side was extremely well drilled ... unfortunately the Blues are learning very little about team co-ordination.

It does not take a lot of talent for players to back one another up ... to have several options to handpass the ball to ... to move the ball quickly ... to cover your opponent in defense (not just chase the ball ... so you end up with 3 players on 1 and 2 players left free in the open).

Yep ... its a sad state of affairs ... and nothing can be done because Tricky Micky is locked in.

We just have to watch and wait ... as we tumble further down the ladder.

Dennis Pagan ... eat your heart out.

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I am as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more!!!

Of course you would.

He's obviously done something wrong to you or your family because your lack of objectivity regarding MM has reached unprecedented levels.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

I gave him 8/10 basically because it appeared as though the team played a distinct style, stuck with it and it worked for 3/4 of the game. Then we ran out of gas.

I don't know if his game plan is a winning plan even with super fit and skilled players, which we obviously aren't.

My main argument with MM has been he's taken waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyy too long to get the team playing his way. I reckon we started looking a like a team with a plan in the Adelaide game, but that was about 18 months after MM turned up. Not good enough

At the moment I think the style is very taxing on the players and, at our current level of skill and fitness, is better suited to smaller grounds.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

Think he must have done something similar to redbacks family.

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dane's trolling again

Calm, logical and rational observations from an unbiased eye.

We're getting there, why the hell it took so long is the only questions which need asking. But our last 6 weeks we've played the way we've always wanted to see this mob play, and there is tangible improvement through a dozen or so players.

Things are no where near as bad as 4-8 suggests, but had Mick have made these inroads by the end of last season, right now we could be sitting at 8-4. That's the frustrating bit.

Absolutely ... my Carlton family.

If only we had a Clarkson or a Hinkley ... or just about anyone who can teach players to play as a team.

Unfortunately ... we are stuck. I reckon we have been put back at least another 7 years ... I am starting to get old and wonder if I will ever see another premiership.

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I am as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more!!!

Was wrapped Armfield gave it to Birchall. Perfect target. That`s what they have been doing to us for years.-(Murphy, Betts)
Good work from Robbo on Hodge too. I`m all for matching their sniping cheap shots (just have to master sliding in with the knees) At least its in the back of their minds now that we can do it too.

Calm, logical and rational observations from an unbiased eye.

We're getting there, why the hell it took so long is the only questions which need asking. But our last 6 weeks we've played the way we've always wanted to see this mob play, and there is tangible improvement through a dozen or so players.

Things are no where near as bad as 4-8 suggests, but had Mick have made these inroads by the end of last season, right now we could be sitting at 8-4. That's the frustrating bit.[/quote]

Can't agree with that. Last year he had a list he had no say in. It was a real trial period. He had to find out about a lot of players and who could stand up to finals type football etc. We had a lot of players that suited a more ballistic style of game. One that doesn't win you big games or finals. Under the previous regime we would of been blown away in games, not now.

We also had a very poor development system, so there wasn't a lot to work with. Our list is poor and lacks top end talent. If Judd had been fit all year we could of easily been 6-6. That's how close it has been. Last year we turned over 25% of the list and will do that again this year. He is building a list and given the current circumstances it will take time. In the meantime I believe he is improving a lot of our players.

As for people saying we aren't fit, that is BS. Our testing shows we are as fit as ever. The issue is we play a very hard working style of football and because we lack the class and poise we turn the ball over a lot. That makes us work a lot harder. Our defensive and contested work is of a high standard. Look at the sides that have overrun us. Geelong & Hawthorn, why? because they have some class that finishes the hard work. If we had kicked straight we would of beaten Richmond & Melbourne. We overran WB & WCE.

We are a long way from the top but I like what we are building. Everyone agrees our recruiting has been poor so what can we expect? Whether people like MM or not he has always left clubs in a better position than he found them in and always left with a winning record.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

For sure, there was a whole heap of deeper running issues with the players and the club and recruiting etc ...

But just on a really superficial level, I don't know why MM couldn't have had the players playing a committed, urgent brand of football like we have in the last 6 weeks. Just putting our head over it, and playing with intent.

Roos has done this much for the Dees within the first 10 rounds of football since arriving, but for Mick, it took 32 rounds of footy for the same consistent output.

A gamestyle which is very taxing - forcing players to win lots of contests; giving the opposition a chance to win it back - when teams come up against Carlton they know Carlton will give them a chance to win it back via kicking to contests. Good coaches are able to mix the long kicking with possession; denying the opposition the ball. These aren't necessarily the most skilled teams in the competition either yet they've got a very good defensive record.

Carlton is currently ranked 4th in the comp for points against behind GWS, St Kilda and Brisbane. Where is the 'defensive edge' we were promised? Defensive record has only got worse under MM. Only 2-4 years back Carlton was one of the best at scoring from centre bounces and scoring from forward 50 stoppages; that has gone down the toilet under the new coaching regime even though there has not been a massive change in the midfield group.

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"You are being watched. The government has a secret system. A machine that spies on you every hour of every day. I know because I built it." - Finch

Really? You don't think we were playing good hard consistent football last year in beating Port & Richmond, Winning 10 games and a final?

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

imo ... consistent, would mean week in week out.

The last 6 weeks, we've still lost to poor teams, but our intent cannot be questioned. Last season we'd play lights out, see the tigers elim final, and then the following week put on a clinic or cringeworthy and embarrassing football.

Carlton defeated those teams only after abandoning the long kicking garbage and instead playing a run and carry, uncontested risk taking style.

Don't ever bring that up in the press conference though.

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"You are being watched. The government has a secret system. A machine that spies on you every hour of every day. I know because I built it." - Finch

How well did that work for us?

There are massive changes in our midfield, our group of Judd, Carrazzo, Scotland, Simpson etc were in their prime. They have slipped considerably and to be fair not a lot has come through to replenish and support Gibbs & Murphy.

Personally, I believe our list was in a lot better shape 2-3 years ago but as our better players have gotten older we have slipped.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

That is what bothers me. The system is still too 2010 for me. We dont score enough when we are winning all the KPI's. Teams just absorb it knowing full well they will get their chance at some point of each quarter.
Cant quite put my finger on it but i reckon one of the commentators mentioned us going to hard with numbers at the area the ball is in when pressing inside 50 leaving no defensive structure to guard the outlet. Means our blokes are being taxed and the opposition are getting rebound goals far too easy.
Not sure our KPI's have any indication on whether we win or lose. Change the game style so they do. Doesn't have to be much of a change. Maybe instead of putting all our energy into trying to pinch the ball back inside our fifty setup to get in back just over halfway. That will leave space for the forwards to work in and have us more compact defensively for minimal damage when our turnovers occur.

I watch Sydney and i dont see their players running back or running forward any harder than ours do. They just have a better setup that doesn't allow them to be punished by turnovers.............and they have blokes that you can rely on to kick goals each week.