mojo31 wrote:
Barry Mitchell has the full support of the senior players, the younger players. They all respect him and he demands discipline and gets it. But they all still play for him and know there roles.
He lets them play to there strengths but will switch them around when he can. He is not a "polished" media person like Wallet. He is a stright shooter. He is not a political animal.
He does not play mind games with players or not communicate with certain players. He does not play 1 group off against another.
He does not have favourites who play all the time in the midfield while a kid rots on the bench. He will accomodate everyone and give them all a fair go.
But at the end of the day they all know where they stand and what is expected of them. So they enjoy it but also show progression when a young player gets significant time under him.
Experienced players like Morrell and Harford and Franchina have a alot of respect for him and so they carry out his game plan and message to the youngsters on the field. They play a team game for him and are not there to show anyone else up.
The game on the weeknd was disappointing but Barry has done a great job with the Bullants.
He is an old school person but has adapted with the modern game to the changing tactics and changing approaches needed.
Other coaches have not grasped this concept. With how they develop players. How they tactically prepare for games and how they react in games. Kick ins, flooding, numbers back, rotations, man management, running style of game etc.
You have to be able to comminicate with all different types of people. Face to face and not let others do the bad cop routine. I believe Barry can do that. I do not belive Denis is the man for the senior coaching role anymore.
To me it starts with Elshaugh. He should be first to go. Libba I am less concerned about. But he has little say in anything at the club really. Its Denis and his right hand man playing there good cop/bad cop routines and mind games. While senior and young players alike grow increasingly disillusioned as to training, tactics, game style, same old routines and words and empty promises. The players dont believe it. Its stale and its 10 years ago. The game has changed but the senior coach is trapped in the 1990s.
Lack of imagination with the trading and where players are positioned and a complete and utter lack of faith in any kid who is not a Marc Murphy and a gun at 18. Anyome who has the slightest chink in there game who is not 23 will rot in the VFL or bench and be shuffled around and turned into a tagger/run with player/back pocket.
Its time for some change at the club.
Great post MOJO. My only concern about Mitchell is that he may be able to communicate to the players but is he polished enough to attract sponsors and inspire our brand to the corporate world. Some will say who cares as long as he can put wins on the board however we need someone that can promote our club and get us back where we belong.
To me Mitchell is very much like Laidley - too rough around the edges and for what it's worth I base my comments on attending at least 12 Bullants games this year.
As others have stated I hope that we search far and wide as I don't want to be in this situation again in two years. We have made enough stuff ups lately we need to get this 100% right.
By the way what is Voss doing next year? How long was Roos out of the game before he took over.