Sorry for not replying sooner, been a little busy!!

I'm not much of a decorator, when it comes to wall papering, but I do believe you always need to prepare before you paint!! Ironically its a very good analogy to draw between preparing before painting and developing a football team before success.

I raised the example of Mick Malthouse as a coach who has developed a team ethos of consistency, over a long period without achieving the ultimate success, a premiership. That is why I do not rate Mick Malthouse as high as others. Lets not forget, he has had the opportunity to rebuild that side twice over, since his arrival.

But where he is successful, is in the planning and developing of specific player roles which are taylored to suit his overall game plan. His very strength is his weakness. Very few players who do not adapt into their set roles are looked at for others. It creates consistency as each player understands their role, and how their direct performace impacts on the teams achievements. It eliminates dependencies on indiviadual players, and makes it very transparent as to who needs further developing or indeed needs to find a new footy club!!

To my earlier comment regarding preparation for a successfull team, it just doesn't happen. It takes time to create an atmosphere of confidence and belief that each player who enters the club takes onboard and accepts their responsibility in delivering that belief.

The in roads in the area of player development, are huge when we view what we had only a year ago!!! Lets not forget teams such Collingwood, Adelaide, Westcoast have had these programs in place for years. And they are now slowly benefitting from them.

Don't read me incorrectly, I was as dissappointed and annoyed at the loss on Friday as the next blue member!! And have many questions on Ratts and Co. particular with the defensive side of our game!!! But I prefer to add comments with a little thought and try to read as best I can our teams overall performance with the knowledge that we are coming from a long way back. We had a very low player base from which we had to build from.

Ratten was appointed by the people who administer our club. Regardless of what many people believe, he was endorsed by many, both outside and within. He will make mistakes, and frustrate you and I for sometime yet, but thats what you get with most inexperienced coaches!! Once he achieves the stability of experience he is not beyound critisim nor removal, if he fails to deliver.

If you view this as spin, then it must be!!

As they say, opinions are like noses, everbody has one!!