MPH78 wrote:
bondiblue wrote:
camelboy wrote:
[quote="Adam Chatfield"]We are more than capable of a good scrap when we feel we are playing an opposition we are not expected to stroll to victory against.
Complacency/maturity/consistency of effort is our biggest problem at the moment. I don't think we need a reinvention of the game plan, more tweaking to combat some new things being thrown at us.
I think the whole beat up about us after the Collingwood game didn't help us one bit, but that is our problem, shouldn't start playing like millionaires because of it.
I actually think the fact everyone has seemed to not rate Essendon* as highly has helped them stay focused and grounded. Be interesting to see how they go this week as they are now being talked up as a legitimate top side.
People say media/public expectation makes no difference, but you have a bunch of young guys who hear everything, its definitely going to have an impact. We just have to become more mature to ignore it and stick to the fundamentals.
Well said.

Yeah, I'm with you too

I would like to agree also. But how many chances do we need need to disprove this? It is hardly a new issue.
My other concern is the players mentality. In all honesty, what right have they got to be complacent? What have this group really achieved?
They have the talent and the opportunity to achieve some big things. Even this season. But I have concerns about their mental maturity and determination to truly become elite.
I said earlier this week that I hope internally they realize they currently are not as good as they think they are. Change this mindset and be prepared to do the hard yards and get their hands dirty.
Sunday will tell us a lot about our player group and chances this year IMHO.[/quote]
Exactly, we get complacent without any real reason to be. It's not an excuse, it shouldn't be happening.
We need to be prepared to do the hard yards. The side has proven they can do it, they just need to do it more consistently.