http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php? ... n+as+Coach

So 42 wins, 42 losses. Has the pass mark changed? Is a top 4 finish without winning a final still acceptable?

My view is that those suggesting a Roos rumour are just adding 2 and 2 and getting 15. Yes Roos is available and yes, Ratten is under pressure. But if Ratten keeps us in the top 4 and loses his job surely there would be a massive protest against the Club? Earning a top 4 spot with so much improvement from our second tier players SURELY says something about development, progression, management?

It would be one of the most idiotic decisions by the club if we make the top 4 and Ratten is sacked, and we have made many of those in the last decade.

Its still early days, but Ratts looks certain to keep his job now

A guy who has struggled for 3 + years with various aspects of coaching, has over a couple of months become an ace coach ??? The difference between the last few years and this season is the addition of quality, experienced assistants, especially Richardson in the senior assistant role. Noting that these additions had to be forced on Ratten, who probably would have preferred to continue with the numpties (Teague & Lappin). If at all anything, this season has further reinforced Ratten's lack of coaching ability. At the end of the season, give him a gold watch, wish him good bye & good luck.

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Scott, things aren't as happy as they used to be down here at the unemployment office. Joblessness is no longer just for Philosophy majors - useful people are starting to feel the pinch.

No coincidence that after three years Robbo is a better player. Experience is gold in this business.

and for good measure

Just makes me sad JJ.
but what can you do?
If you actually listen to him..and the lads...you can see for yourself the progress.

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That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

You can see it bluegirl and I'm loving it at the moment. Couldn't be happier to see the reward for all concerned.

Posters like Two Cents must feel kind of dirty being happy at us going so well.

It's early doors yet but happy with our progress and the collective efforts of all concerned. Big kudos to the Ants coach Harris who we seems to be having a positive influence on the lads as newbies coming in to the seniors are not overawed.

Good point.
Whatever happens this year..Carlton is a winner.

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That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

SURELY, we should all just sit back, take a breath and let the season play out and then make an informed judgement when results are clear and the availability of other potential candidates are known.

I'd be amazed if the Board jumped early again. SURELY they've learned their lesson on that.

First of all you can't finish top 4 by not winning a final. If we finish the home and away in the top 4 and lose both finals we finish 5th or 6th.Neil Craig, Rodney Eade and Ross Lyon are all good coaches but have so far failed to deliver what was required when the opportunity presented itself.
Everyone knows within the club what the benchmark is, he falls on his sword if he does not deliver at least one victory in a final. Right now he has everything at his disposal to deliver.
Chris Judd has recently stated that he considers it a successful season if you finish top 4. He is not talking about finishing the home and away season in the top 4.

Rubbish on so many levels.

The climb up the ladder with all the i's dotted and all the t's crossed is all the proof you need that Ratts has done a top job. He has worked just as hard on improving himself as he has on the team and we look set to strike in the near future.

Two Cents looks like another who is going to go down the Richardson path to soften the blow of being wrong about Ratts. I doubt anyone will buy that spin though.

Nothing against Richardson either. Looks like he is doing a great job under Ratts. Credit to those at the club in Icke, Swann and Sticks for re structuring the coaching team and their roles.

Like Malthouse said this year...something along the lines of....

[I don't care who you are as the coach, if you don't have the players to win games, you will not. People talk about the Collingwood players as no manes and giving me all the credit. Don't believe that, the players in the team are very very good players]

Wasn't it Ratts who wanted some new blood to replace Lappin and Teague?
Wasn't it Ratts who wanted to bring in coaches from Geelong and Collingwood to work through the tactics of successful sides?

I think the heat is on more than ever to succeed (at least a finals win) because the word on the street is that Carlton have the team to be a genuine contender for the 2011 flag.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Apt screen name. All this post is worth.

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Never argue with idiots. They drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience!!!

After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says W T F .........
Visit http://fromthemoshpit.com/

mmmmm......when did the two cent coin lose its currency?

great progress this year from all concerned.

The improvement has not just come over the last year ... there has been a gradual improvement since Ratts started coaching. Ratts made the hard decision last year to get rid of the old assistants. This debunks any theory about Richardson being the main reason for improvement ... although he seems to have been a very positive addition (thanks to Ratts).

Ratten has done a brilliant job and the players love him ... well not actually love ... but they like him a lot ...

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

Only Carlton has assistants that make any sort of positive difference!!

_________________
Never argue with idiots. They drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience!!!

After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says W T F .........
Visit http://fromthemoshpit.com/

I admit that after the loss the Essendon* early last year I didn't think Ratts was the man to take us forward, I couldn't understand how he had once again let the scum beat us using the exact same gameplan that looked so flimsy against other teams. I was angry but I didn't understand what he was doing at all.

We ended up making the finals and going out in an elimination final which in my view was "good enough to have a go next year" (this year). This year things seem different, I'm not going to go out and say Ratts isn't the man or is the man just yet but I am very happy the board didn't react like I did after that Essendon* loss last year.

I want to see Ratts win a final (or 3!) this year, I want to see the boys improve every week and down the line (this year or not) I would LOVE to see Ratts hold up #17.

While the quality of opposition last week was not great, it was the clearest example yet (IMO) of the team working together really well. I'm talking the 1%ers and little things here, like blocking, shepherding, creating space for each other and so on. Things have definitely improved in 2011 and I'd say it's a combination of more experienced players and improved coaching.

That said, we were 7/4 last year and stuttered. If we continue to show the improvement we have shown in this season to date there's no reason we should stutter and could very well end up with 15 or 16 wins.

But, as others have suggested, let's wait and see how the year pans out. There's still a lot of footy left in 2011.

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If anything, the bar should be adjusted to nothing less than a top 4 finish considering the state of the other 16 clubs.

Agree on the condition it is top 4 after the finals and not the home and away season.