preacher wrote:
Betts cannot play in the midfield simply because he lacks the motor. Even when playing for the Calder Cannons he spent (at most) 5 minute spells in the middle. He just ran out of puff. After he came home last in the first of our 3.2km time trials before Christmas, he was put on a 7am start (boxing sessions) in an attempt to trim him down. The theory of running him in the middle, is pie in the sky stuff. Won't happen in 2006 and beyond unless Eddie improves his stamina. He is a burst player not a stayer.
For mine, Walker is the interesting one. Was given some fairly blunt messages by the coach in his one on one assessment back in October. The coach questioned whether Walker has the 'passion' to eat, live and breathe this game 24/7. Pagan believes if you want to hit the top, you need to put everything else in your life on hold. That is, the window of opportunity is small and the time for Walker is over the next 3 years. Maybe less. Pagan also gave a similar message to Hartlett and Russell. Told them they are nice guys but nice guys run you know what and this time next year they could be back in SA and it could all be over for them. Walker has it all in front of him. He has completed his apprenticeship. It will now be interesting to see how he responds to the coaches message.
Have heard these rumours before. I believe they were propagated by ballistic blues or someone else.
I don't know what Pagan is trying to prove here. Is he trying to challenge them to try to get the best out of them? If so, then this is extremely risky. However, from what the training reports seem to state, then they've responded extremely well and are amongst the best trainers in the pre-Xmas period.
However, this is just rumour. This rumour was debunked by someone at one stage, I can't remember by whom.