luthor
18 Apr 2003, 15:11
I know we have done this issue to death but it's interesting that rumblings of discontent have already started about Des's performance with Freo this season.
The main board has a topic - "Des Headland - biggest disappointment".
This is the view I posted on that board
"This might be a bit from left field but if I were a Freo supporter (which I'm not), I'd be more concerned with some of the statements attibuted to Des about his former Coach than I would be about his early season form.
Statements like:
" I couldn't really talk to Leigh Matthews 'cause I was kinda scared of him because of who he is..................on the other hand Chris is a really top bloke who has his door open all the time and I can call in and have a chat with him whenever I like"
and
" I really only wanted to get home and play footy in Perth because this is where I am comfortable"
Des seems to have got a little confused between what makes a great Footy coach and what makes a good bloke........and the difference between a great footy player and a "confortable" one.
Matthews instilled the one ingredient into Headland that he was sorely missing.........DISCIPLINE.
He dragged him mercilesslessly in 2000 and 2001 when he committed stupid undisciplined errors and had no qualms at all in relegating him to the reserves for LONG periods. He regularly gave him chances in the big time to atone and in 2002 he realised the potential that Matthews knew he had.
Basically, Leigh Matthews didn't allow Des to play in his own "comfort" zone.
Matthews got inside his head, not by being his best buddy but by forcing him to realise his own potential. It had very little to do with coaching and a lot to do with psychology.
"If you want to be part of this side, prove it to me or spend your time here on the bench or in the reserves"
He DID go in and get the hard ball. He DID do the team things. He DID tackle,chase and work hard and he WAS a vital ingredient in a Premiership side.
This thing about him being a "reciever" and only looking good because he got "service" from the other midfielders is a myth.
As someone earlier pointed out, he really stepped up to the plate in mid-2002 and proved his worth when the Lions were missing one, two or more of their regular on-ballers.
He virtually single-handedly got the Lions over the line against Carlton at the Gabba when an embarrassing loss looked on the cards.
DES DOESN'T NEED A HOST OF OTHER TOP PLAYERS AROUND HIM TO PLAY GREAT FOOTY.
WHAT HE DOES NEED IS THE RIGHT ATTITUDE AND TO NOT, NOT,NOT FEEL "COMFORTABLE".
That's why I would be concerned if I were a Freo supporter.
If Des is content with feeling comfortable in a mediocre side and being good mates with the coach, he will NEVER again reproduce the form that made him a force to be reckoned with in the Lions side of 2002."
Am I on the money?
The main board has a topic - "Des Headland - biggest disappointment".
This is the view I posted on that board
"This might be a bit from left field but if I were a Freo supporter (which I'm not), I'd be more concerned with some of the statements attibuted to Des about his former Coach than I would be about his early season form.
Statements like:
" I couldn't really talk to Leigh Matthews 'cause I was kinda scared of him because of who he is..................on the other hand Chris is a really top bloke who has his door open all the time and I can call in and have a chat with him whenever I like"
and
" I really only wanted to get home and play footy in Perth because this is where I am comfortable"
Des seems to have got a little confused between what makes a great Footy coach and what makes a good bloke........and the difference between a great footy player and a "confortable" one.
Matthews instilled the one ingredient into Headland that he was sorely missing.........DISCIPLINE.
He dragged him mercilesslessly in 2000 and 2001 when he committed stupid undisciplined errors and had no qualms at all in relegating him to the reserves for LONG periods. He regularly gave him chances in the big time to atone and in 2002 he realised the potential that Matthews knew he had.
Basically, Leigh Matthews didn't allow Des to play in his own "comfort" zone.
Matthews got inside his head, not by being his best buddy but by forcing him to realise his own potential. It had very little to do with coaching and a lot to do with psychology.
"If you want to be part of this side, prove it to me or spend your time here on the bench or in the reserves"
He DID go in and get the hard ball. He DID do the team things. He DID tackle,chase and work hard and he WAS a vital ingredient in a Premiership side.
This thing about him being a "reciever" and only looking good because he got "service" from the other midfielders is a myth.
As someone earlier pointed out, he really stepped up to the plate in mid-2002 and proved his worth when the Lions were missing one, two or more of their regular on-ballers.
He virtually single-handedly got the Lions over the line against Carlton at the Gabba when an embarrassing loss looked on the cards.
DES DOESN'T NEED A HOST OF OTHER TOP PLAYERS AROUND HIM TO PLAY GREAT FOOTY.
WHAT HE DOES NEED IS THE RIGHT ATTITUDE AND TO NOT, NOT,NOT FEEL "COMFORTABLE".
That's why I would be concerned if I were a Freo supporter.
If Des is content with feeling comfortable in a mediocre side and being good mates with the coach, he will NEVER again reproduce the form that made him a force to be reckoned with in the Lions side of 2002."
Am I on the money?