Games are won and lost in the midfeld... not hbf.

And the improvers.

I think there will be many coming this year.
Everyone has given their kids games too.
and everyone will be doing their best to go up the ladder.

Its snakes and ladders really....

those that will do it best will climb higher.

Carlton v Hawthorn??
not sure about that...... have to beat teams in the four before we are a realistic chance.

when we begin beating teams in the very top bracket we can solidify claims.

Till now we just show promise.
We have a good list.
I believe we have some depth problems in vital areas.

And just taking steps isnt enough cos others around you can take bigger steps.

We need to grasp every opportunity.
And we need to have a mind set of believeing we can win the flag.

Or top 4 will be good enough
winning a home final AGAINST Essendon* will be good enoigh
making the finals will be good enough.

Low standards just isnt what is needed.

It becomes a mental thing.. and these things all compound to stop us achieving what we really need to do.
Win a flag

_________________
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

I like reading most topics and like everyone else have an opinion.
Some you agree some your compelled to make a reply.
He seem to make more interesting reading than most.

Badman you are basing your thoughts on those of the supporters and the media not the thoughts of the Coaching staff and players.

You often attempt to make it seem as if the Coaching staff and players are happy to except 'close enough is good enough' but nothing can be further from the truth. Of course there are areas for improvement. I'm sure there are also areas for improvement at Geelong and Collingwood and Hawthorn. You make it sound as if the Blinkers are always on in many areas within the Club. This isn't true. Those at the pointy end aren't swayed by the Media. They know what the ultimate end game is and they know it takes alot of effort and time to make all the pieces fit.

Look at the changes in the club over the past 3 years. Coaches, facilities, support staff, finances, supporter numbers, sponsors, list development/improvement, climbing up the ladder. All this and the best people can come up with is 'We have to many HBF's or why did we get Brock?'

Steering an AFL football club toward a Premiership is like walking a tightrope. One slip and the media and supporters reach for the jugular. If the Club is off course in certain areas, redirecting it takes time and effort. So far it has been a 10 year recovery and over the last few years the Club has gotten better at fixing problems by placing the right people in the rights chairs.

I fully understand that some of you enjoy the sport of denigrating everything the Club does, but atleast try and see the forest for the trees at times.

Regards Cazzesman

_________________
Ricky Gervais - “Everyone has the right to hold whatever beliefs they want. And everyone else has the right to find those beliefs f***ing ridiculous.”

Well said Cazz.

Some of us are really happy with our progress and IMO, change of thinking at the Club.....especially at the coalface.

_________________
No ones listening till you make a mistake.

I'm happy with the progress the club has made too. But I think we still have a fair way to go. I think we're being overrated by some in the media and by many supporters. I will be pleasantly surprised if we make the top 4 in 2012.

_________________
It's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it seems.

I don't enjoy it at all! More often than not in recent years, I have been accused of sugar-coating and defending the place. I have always defended Brett Ratten at the helm (even his appointment) and agree that it takes time to implement change, culture and direction in all areas - particularly the football department.

When someone feels criticism is warranted however, you can't admonish them just because it's leveled at Carlton. They see it for what it is and are giving their opinion. I think on-field, the club is getting most things right, but there are certain areas that need tweeking, which I expect to see this season; another growth phase in maturity, consistency, experience, knowledge, understanding and fitness levels.

Off-field is a far slower process, and it needn't be that way. While not everyone has the smarts to make sense of/or understand the on-field direction being taken, there are those of us who understand off-field stuff such as social media marketing, fan engagement, digital media integration, membership growth and retention, positioning for short-term concerns while ensuring long-term sustainability and building relationships to increase revenues.

I happen to think that we're still 2 seasons away from our best football, but that doesn't mean we won't win a flag as soon as this year. Our window is officially open and while I think this year Hawthorn are the team to beat, I see no reason why Carlton won't be challenging them for a top 2 spot - but like always, that's contingent on a number of factors going right/going wrong.

This

_________________
Let slip the Blues of war (with apologies to William Shakespeare) (and Sir Francis Bacon, just in case)

thank you Cazzesman.
Yes the coaches... if every coach was always right. would all coaches have a job for life???

There would never be a sacking...
and there would never be an improvement.
Cos every coach is always right.. and in doing so he leads his team to exactly that same spot every season.. (against the always right every other coaches in the league)
Sorry mate... it doesnt work like that...


Coaches are wrong.... and people are different.. and we dont all look at the same thing through exactly the same perspective.

Its easy for you.. youll back the coaches and whoever.. till the end.. till one day they get the bullet.. and then back that guy to the end...right or wrong.. till the next guy with totally different philosphies comes in and then youll repeat till fade.

Its just the nature of the beast.

Doesnt mean anything!!!

What does mean something is us winning a flag.. and until i see that delivered.. im entitled to think things arent good enough...

Yes the ho hums and sycophants exist in the world and rightly have a place in this mosaic that is tthe Carlton family.

I hardly think you can provide a balanced synopsis when youre paid by the club .
It would be a case of "yes sir, no sir three bads full sir..."

and thats what you do.. so im hardly surprised.

No offence.. and im sure youre not...!!!

Just need to call it as i see it..

On the window..
Eddie and Mick invented the biggest myth ever.

"the window"

So teams can sit passively and wait for their window to open... (one home final) while others are competing and winning.

There are some teams that have no chance.. but half do.. and we have had been in a position for 3 years .

Hawthorn proved exacty that!!!

_________________
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

This

_________________
A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty" -Winston Churchill

L.M 35-06

Hawks won a flag, the year after winning their first final.

We'll try and do the same this year.

If we dont, then I guess we have failed in comparison.

Unfortunately, no flags are won in December, January or February, so is there any point going around in circles for the next 7 and a half months?....

Hopefully be Rnd 1, this Summer's "issues" such as delisting O'hAilpin, not bringing back Fev or not drafting Jordan Murdoch, or Mitch Grigg will be all be forgotten....

_________________
"They're [REDACTED]'

Is there not allowed to be a middle ground? Is there no build up to success? Is the level of yearly improvement not permitted? Is there no climb from last to 1st over a number of years?

It is not all about 0-100 in a 12 month period! The AFL does not permit instant success.

Your perspective is skewed if you think there is no build up to a Premiership.

This has nothing to do with my employment. It is more about common sense and seeing the big picture. Success in the AFL is hard work over many, many years. The only time success is instant is if you pick the 6 numbers in tattslotto at your first try.

Things will never be good enough until we win #17 but that doesn't mean the club isn't doing everything it can to get it right between now and then.

Regards Cazzesman

_________________
Ricky Gervais - “Everyone has the right to hold whatever beliefs they want. And everyone else has the right to find those beliefs f***ing ridiculous.”

This

Red River (1948): Thomas Dunson: Give me ten years, and I'll have that brand on the gates of the greatest ranch in Texas. The big house will be down by the river, and the corrals and the barns behind it. It'll be a good place to live in. Ten years and I'll have the Red River D on more cattle than you've looked at anywhere. I'll have that brand on enough beef to feed the whole country. Good beef for hungry people. Beef to make 'em strong, make 'em grow. But it takes work, and it takes sweat, and it takes time, lots of time. It takes years.

_________________
Bawditawaba

Are you serious?
We finished fifth last year with Gibbs out, Jamison on one leg, Kruez in the wilderness and Judd having a poor finals series. We've improved incrementally over the past 3 or 4 years and I would fully expect that improvement to continue.
If it doesn't, we should be asking serious questions as to why.

Pleasantly surprised? Try top 4 as a minimum. Anything other is a loser mentality.
Successful organisations aren't built on gaining satisfaction from going nowhere. Leave that to St Kilda and Richmond.

_________________
Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

Middle ground is the bulldogs.

I want to see us doing more things right than any other club and that will mean we give ourselves a better chance of winning a flag than anyone else.

When we win a flag ill relax.

I just see too much vanilla when i look at the club .
John M is right.. the more you look at something close up the worse it is.
A bit like the Opera House.. from far it looks magnificent.. from close its just an Italian tilers weekend on the grappa.

_________________
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

JohnM was absolutely right, and my question in all of these threads is always - Are those that are so critical of Carlton at the moment, look as deeply into the workings of other clubs or have as close an association with those clubs as they do with Carlton?

From what I can gather it's all assumption and the perception from outside that everyone else is assumed to be doing it better.

I guess the only proof can be in the results - ie Hawks, Geelong, Collingwood have a flag - we haven't, but we are comparing half back flankers to midfielders as none of these sides were a basket case 4 years ago.

Took Collingwood 10 years to get it right,

Took Mark Thompson 8 years at Geelong before theirs - but because Hawthorn pulled one out of the box, we're backward and behind eveyone else because we haven't 'yet' done it?...

_________________
"They're [REDACTED]'

Some clubs you dont need to get too close to see theyre run efficiently and professionaly.
That is where we have to be.
Cutting edge.
Innovative
and a club that leads the way .

Its abit like cockroaches.. if you see one.. you know there are more under the floorboards.
I just see a hell of alot of things the club isnt doing right... so i know that has a flow on effect on all things.

Were just steady as she goes and keeping our fingers crossed.

_________________
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

So just share with me where you see the club going right and please be specific

_________________
Go BLues

You ok there Synners?
Your tongue's been hanging out so long, I was thinking you might want a drink of water?

_________________
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.”

It has been nearly 20 years since we last tasted success, but we've made big strides over the last few years.
As I have mentioned before the coach has grown as the team has grown or if you prefer visa versa, that's no coincidence.
Last year we could have been closer unfortunately for injuries at the wrong end of the season and mostly to the talls.
The hierachy have identified our limitations like the rest of us and have actually gone out to address the shortfall.
Unfortunately for one reason or another it hasn't bared fruitrition.
Fortunately I believe now we have a bit of stock in the paddock to fit some gaps.
We really are in a good position to take another step if not the ultimate step this year.

The thread asks how close we are to our next flag.

I don't think It's the right thread to be discussing what's wrong with the club if we all believe we have an opportunity to win one this year, next and the year after that.

I'm not sure if Sinners is saying that we will not win a flag this year because of all the club's faults.

Heck for all our faults we may still win a flag this year and fail to match our previous membership record. It's the list which is most impressive in 2012, and no one can deny that.

I agree with Sinners that the club has plenty of improvement to make to match the off field success of a few other clubs, but that's another story. I know plenty of 2011 members who stuck by the club during the dark decade who will not be renewing their memberships...that will not effect our potential to win the flag this year but it may impact us in our quest to win many more flags this decade, the next decade, and the one after that.

_________________
Everyone looks good in Navy Blue