They've had 6 years working at that. The Bombers have had 1.5 and are way ahead of us at those things you mentioned

Essendon* are more defensively accountable?

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

'snip'

Defensively shefenisively!!!!!!!

Kick more goals then the other team and you win.

Corrected it for you - have you seen your doc regarding your posting 'snip'?

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TC suffers from the social media illness - the death of respect and constructive discourse by keyboard.

That only helps if you don't let more goals be kicked.

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

some of your finest there Mikkey.

Ah yes..so the StKilda and Essendon* players got it straight away did they. No speed humps along the way in the past or the future. You guys are living in la la land to steal a phrase from someone in this thread

StKilda had a team that could always attack and despite Synbad not rating their list still have a core of players from the teams under Thomas who were considered underachievers. He just needed to teach them to defend better (especially certain players) and he has done it admirably. Knights had a headstart with some of his players in the twos. Both have done good jobs in different ways.

Ross Lyon had this to say early last year by the way.

“I ask the question in the box – ‘do we train that’ and the response is ‘no’, and I ask the players ‘do we train that’ and they say no. But sometimes the pressure of games and pressure of the opposition make you do funny things – which we want to eradicate if we’re going to be a top team.”

I'm not sure, but I think that could indicate some of his players weren't doing what he wanted

You guys seem to think players are robots and that after how many years now of not making the finals we should suddenly just be a top team...and yes I know we have Judd and three number one draft picks, but other teams aren't just going to curl up their toes and let us win just because we tell them that. Other teams have fine prospects who weren't number one, which is really just a number afterall, as is indicated by the number of great players not taken at that number. I think Synbad especially underestimates the quality of some of the kids coming through on other lists.

The funniest thing is that they are circles that have already been followed in other threads I blame Ratts

Grant Thomas lives

In Melveys mind anyway

...if you call that living.

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STURDYISM!!

As his highness orders so I'm sure your commands will be obeyed

Okay how about his game philosophy lives on in melvey Synbad wants us to have a Brazilian attitude so that also probably counts

Finally another wicket

I agree that attacking Ratts achieves nothing...but criticizing his performance is important in us as supporters in understanding what the hell is going on out on the field. The club in the last decade has lost the trust of the majority of supporters. Appointing a club favourite is not going to automatically attain everyones faith again not me anyway. Ex Carlton great or not...if he doesnt perform he will be judged just as much as the next guy...maybe even moreso due to the way he was appointed (I know this was not his fault but it adds to the pressure on him to get results). Ratts is no kid, he knew what he was walking into.

Despite what people on here may believe I really would like to see him succeed and I would happily eat humble pie from the time Judd holds up No 17 until the cows come home...but till now the signs have not been good at all from a coaching perspective.

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"Truth, for the tyrants, is the most terrible and cruel of all bindings; it is like an incandescent iron falling across their chests. And it is even more agonizing than hot iron, for that only burns the flesh, while truth burns its way into the soul"     — Lauro Aguirre

if he doesn't perform we get to post oodles of pages about it to feel better.

Not that we state what performance we want - except that others have it and we don't.

and any improvement is the players not his

any faults are his not the players

give me a cup of hemlock

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This type of slight is alien in the more cultured part of the world - Walsh. Its up there with mad dogs, Englishmen and the midday sun!

There is nothing wrong with criticism. Ratts has made mistakes, especially in the Crows game where he displayed a rigidity of thinking that didn't allow for gameday conditions, but you show me a senior coach, even the successful ones who hasn't stuffed up a number of times over the course of their careers. Which is why certain posters won't name who they think should replace Ratts.

If the criticism wasn't so unrealistic and confused (ironic) it would be better received. Melvey doesn't seem to understand the gameplans he admires, as well as having a fluid belief system that seems to change to suit whatever goes on his mind at the time. Synbad just doesn't seem to be able to enjoy football anymore, because he just sees negatives. Just because he got it wrong with Pagan doesn't mean he has to over correct now. He is not thinking logically, but emotively at times. His contradictory criticism of Ratts for his use of Army sums that up. His contempt for Sticks will always make Ratts the fruit of the poisoned tree to him.

Criticism is fine as long as it is based on some sort of knowledge base and that doesn't necessarily mean that you have to have played the game, although it certainly is a much better starting point. That is why the term constructive criticism is used. I will never seriously ask posters to shut up as football forums are for venting...sorry discussion, but why should I sit down and worship the opinions of posters who show a decided lack of knowledge of the game and of human nature. I think there are some very knowledgeable football posters on this forum and they have criticisms of Ratten as there should be, but they aren't leading the charge.

Stop making up excuses.

Just an indication, on how we are travelling on and off the field.

Anderson and Hartlett into the side, they understood their role and played accordingly.

Development and fitness team is working, Anderson has improved (and by all indication should continue) and Hartlett ran out the game very well, all indications (internally) are that he is enjoying playing consistant footy for the first time since being drafted.

Ratts and Co. are showing lots of faith in Hampson, mixed it around in the middle with Betts, and pushed Jamison forward. They are using games well under control, to test the waters. No problems from my point of view.

Made the point, times before, our game strategy is a lot more complex and requires players to be far more skillfull. It will take time to develop and execute consistantly. It is no coincidence that our percentage entering the mid way point was within the top 3. Defence is key!!!

Go Blues!!!

If we finish 5th i want Essendon* to finish 8th, if its 6th then Essendon* 7th.

[edit]

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"I will rejoice in their anguish, delight in their failure and revel in our success"

We are Carlton, @#$%&! the rest !!!!!!