SydMatt wrote:
I believe these three losses are the best thing that has happened to us in years.
When you look at it through non-blue coloured glasses we haven't done anything for years. We have beaten a tired side in an elimination final. We have won a few big home and away games, but when we have really needed to step up, we haven't even been close. Close losses in Prelims would be close, anything less than that is not close. Who's to blame, not really sure as I am not on the inside. Personally, it doesn't seem to be the drafting, I like a lot of the players (who didn't see that JR would fit in the Pies quite well and I think there is a very good player in Watto) but when compared to other clubs, player development does seem to be really poor.
When Carlton are allowed to attack, we play the best looking football in the league, hands down. That does not win pressure games. I am getting the feeling that MM has come to the realisation that he has more on his plate than what he bargained for, that like the football world (media), and me, he was seduced by our attacking nature.
A lot of what needs to be remedied to be a winning side now, is attitudinal. We do have the players to win. We do have weaknesses, but nothing that can't be negated. There is an obvious bit of play this year that sums up where I think we are at, and what MM has to work on. Against Collingwood, Murph got the ball on the wing and was charging forward. Tom Bell was beside him calling for hands. For Tom to have called for hands he must have looked up and seen the the space in front of them was clear. With that being the case, instead of calling for hands he should have automatically turned around and looked for an opponent coming up from behind to shepherd, meaning Murph had even more space, instead of Murph having to direct him to shepherd. This isn't a look after the captain thing, in the reverse position, Murph should automatically shepherd. This sort of thing does not happen with us. It might be simplistic, but when you see the way that the Hawks worked for each other against the Pies on Sunday, we are a long way off that standard of care for team mates and the jumper. And that is attitudinal, it can be taught. Until it is automatic, we will struggle against the quality sides.
I watched us live most closely back from 99 to 04. When we had a good side in this time, you could tell whether we were going to win or lose in the first 10 minutes by the way we came out tackling and shepherding. Yes it is a different game, time, playing list etc, but that sort of attitude is what is needed. That hard work early will then allow the game to open up to our current strengths, our attack and pace.
To me, MM is the coach to fix it. He has left all other clubs in strong positions. Everything seems to be simpler than the last 6 years and 6 games... No jingo, no speak, just simple honesty. We need the players to fully hop on board.
We can still make the finals and I believe that we will. It is going to take a whole hearted effort and whole lot of reprogramming of the attitude of the list. We have not been far away and could have quite easily been 2w 1l. The fact that we aren't will galvanise MM. You know that he won't give up and will take the players along for the same ride. Those that don't, won't be there next year, quite simply. I'm along for the ride.
Go Blues
Yep
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