Knights - Merged threads

[eb075]

When the HELL does this moron coach of ours realise that this "handball at ALL costs, especially when in the middle of a ****ing pack" DOES NOT WORK!!!!!! FFS!!!!!

[eb075]

And on the ****ing backline!!!

[Pelkanet]

Festival of the red card: Swear Filter

[FootyStar#1]

moron coach? mate its the ****ing players who are idiotically handballing it to pressured teammates. what a joke, game over and its only quarter time

[eb075]

"Mate", it's the players playing to the game plan! This guy's got no F'ing idea. Winless season with Bendigo and now we'll be lucky to win another game. Get rid of this clown NOW! He's an embarrassment. Start a collection to pay him out and I'll be the first to contribute.

[ningnangnong]

this is absolutely pathetic.

[rioli brownlow]

moron coach? mate its the ****ing players who are idiotically handballing it to pressured teammates. what a joke, game over and its only quarter time

its this crap gameplan. did anyone hear the comment from commetti? plain and simple ya got a big bloke in the square kick it straight down to him.

[BrunoV]

You idiot. Do you think the white board before the game is titled "handball to players underpressure"?

NLM, Dyson (although the rest of his game has actually been pretty good) Welsh are three players who stood out as guys who just kept making the wrong decisions. They give the ball to players who are not moving or they give it to guys who have to turn around to dispose. A player is always going to call for the ball the onus is on the guy with the ball to make the right choice.

We cannot get win the ball other than when it spills out of a contest or even get a free to go our way. Collingwood is putting so much pressure on we cannot get any clean possession.

[The Donners]

moron coach? mate its the ****ing players who are idiotically handballing it to pressured teammates. what a joke, game over and its only quarter time

So who takes training? Who drafted the players?

You cant always blame the players when you have shit coaches and your recruitor has more misses than hits.

[Dr Moose]

moron coach? mate its the ****ing players who are idiotically handballing it to pressured teammates. what a joke, game over and its only quarter time
No mate, it's the moron coach. Everybody knows Knights only has "Plan A: Running the ball" Normally opposition coaches kid themselves we wouldn't do that every week, give us 5 minutes before blocking that option and shutting us out; it's just that today Malthouse has backed the odds and shut us out from the first bounce. It isn't going to get any better unfortunately, today or all season.

Even Tim Watson and Cometti have just been wondering if there is a Plan B!

[essendon2008]

Players play the game. The coach sets up the gameplan. Don't go blaming the gameplan on the players, decision making yes but not gameplan. Towards the end of that quarter almost equal possessions yet getting smashed on the scoreboard.

Knights grow the **** up, admit your game plan is not working and improve it.

[eb075]

No, you're the idiot. Perfect example was Stanton toward the end of the quarter took the ball around CHB. Facing our goals with room to kick forward but looked sideways for a handball. None there and the couple of seconds gave Collingwood a chance to close in - lucky he still had time to kick - this is the GAME PLAN !!! Not the players - they look shit because of the way f'ing Knights drills them.

[citizen-erased]

gotta admit, ive been wrong on Knights. we have stalled and stalled badly

watched our games over the last few weeks. Absolutely no gameplan.

key backs in Pears, Fletcher and Hooker. All are good, yet cannot stem the goals from the turnovers.

middle is just non-existent. cannot penetrate, are never there to stop the rebound.

forwards. Hille, Ryder, Hurley, Gumbleton, Monfries. All great targets.

yet we go nowhere.

we need to learn to kick. we need to learn not to handball under pressure (a turnover 30-40m upfield is better than in the backline).

i like the running we do, but we need a better plan. if we end up 2-8 @rd 10, Knighta has to feel the pressure

[niceslacks]

The opposition know we will handball under pressure and so basically bulldog us, attack the man confident they won't be caught out of position.

It is pitiful, it is Knights, and I for one believe the club needs to sack Knights and get Malthouse to sign on for next year, if only to get them to develop some sort of gameplan that isn't pathetic when under pressure.

[blue gunslinger]

No mate, it's the moron coach. Everybody knows Knights only has "Plan A: Running the ball" Normally opposition coaches kid themselves we wouldn't do that every week, give us 5 minutes before blocking that option and shutting us out; it's just that today Malthouse has backed the odds and shut us out from the first bounce. It isn't going to get any better unfortunately, today or all season.

Even Tim Watson and Cometti have just been wondering if there is a Plan B!
It would appear Ratten cannot even get a plan A v Ess! How do we manage to lose????

[Pantsless]

We've gotten worse.

We've been worked out and we have no plan B.

Players don't have enough experience to make decisions under pressure.

Sack the coach!

[Kong]

Place all venting posts/threads here.

Note: personal attacks will not be tolerated, nor will posts that are not constructive in any way; i.e "Sack Knights he is shit!"

Offer something if you're going to criticise.

[LeeARM]

Handballing until we find some space works better than just randomly booting it out. I think we do it quite well but when we DO find space we need to start using it. Run down the ground and find a leading target.

[essendon2008]

Any chance the players themselves will rebel and play as they should be playing?

Surely they too realize how silly they look when the gameplan isn't working

[Strike Swiftly]

At the game. This is w/o a doubt the worst football I've ever seen. I'm 30 and been going to games consistently my whole life. Un-Essendon football. Hard not to blame the coaching staff. Knights didn't even look pissed off at qtr time.

[essendon2008]

Handballing until we find some space works better than just randomly booting it out.

Sadly i completely disagree. Handballing until you find space works for highly skilled teams like Geelong. We are not highly skilled. And as skilled as Geelong are, they even realise when they need to kick.

At the moment we might aswell kick in hope and hope for someone to pluck a mark or at least remain competitive rather than gain 10m in 10 handballs then turn it over.

[essendon2008]

At the game. This is w/o a doubt the worst football I've ever seen. I'm 30 and been going to games consistently my whole life. Un-Essendon football. Hard not to blame the coaching staff. Knights didn't even look pissed off at qtr time.

Bolded part sums it up perfectly.

Second bolded part, along with his arrogance, is what annoys me. He couldn't give two shits about the results of this club, unless it is his run and handball gameplan that wins the games. Look at Geelong, they can play ugly and still win.

We play ugly, we get smashed.

[ningnangnong]

This game plan in its current form it totally ineffective.

At least we scored some goals in that quarter though.

I hope we can just get the margin under 50 or so.

It was an awful start and I don't believe we can win.

The coach needs to show some fire in the belly.

[BrunoV]

No, you're the idiot. Perfect example was Stanton toward the end of the quarter took the ball around CHB. Facing our goals with room to kick forward but looked sideways for a handball. None there and the couple of seconds gave Collingwood a chance to close in - lucky he still had time to kick - this is the GAME PLAN !!! Not the players - they look shit because of the way f'ing Knights drills them.

It is always so obvious. What is the solution, put more players behind the ball? Have more players on half back to hand ball it to? We are breaking down at half forward enough as it is. In fact, there is a serious problem on the half forward line. I simply cannot believe that we have no target at half forward with all three of Hurley, Gumbleton and Ryder playing.

There is only one thing I would be doing differently and it is having the ball kicked long when under pressure. The debate always hasme thinking of the same saying "it is always best to walk a mile in a mans shoes before you criticise him, that you are a mile a way from him and you have his shoes".

The reason I think it is not the plan itself is because about 3 in 10 go long and break even or end up to a positional gaining position. Why ignore the plan 3 times? Why ignore the benefit of the long kick 7 times? Decision making, decision making, decision making.

Targets need to get on their bikes so we can kick long 7 our of 10. Kicking the ball accurately would also be nice.

[LeeARM]

Sadly i completely disagree. Handballing until you find space works for highly skilled teams like Geelong. We are not highly skilled. And as skilled as Geelong are, they even realise when they need to kick.

At the moment we might aswell kick in hope and hope for someone to pluck a mark or at least remain competitive rather than gain 10m in 10 handballs then turn it over.

Well we can handball it around and get tackled and turn it over or boot it out which will probably still turn it over. As a running team I'd go for handballs until we can run but sadly they're both risky. Really, we need to improve our skills or we won't get anywhere.

[ningnangnong]

Atm, i'd prefer the kick over the handpass.
At least it looks like we're getting somewhere.

Too many handball turnovers to make that gameplan look vaguely effective as it is.

[essendon2008]

Well we can handball it around and get tackled and turn it over or boot it out which will probably still turn it over. As a running team I'd go for handballs until we can run but sadly they're both risky. Really, we need to improve our skills or we won't get anywhere.

When we kick long we look pretty good. But i agree we do need to improve the skills.

Disappointing the O'Donnell said to improve we need to handball to players on the run. The handball theory is so ingrained in the coaches its getting frustrating.

[Seb78]

The players are under too much pressure, most of which they are putting on themselves, they seem to be over thinking their play, just need to get back to basics, kick the bloody thing and move it forward, things couldn't possibly get worse than what they are

3 things I've notices in the opening half

*Our bodies are way too small and under developed
*Way too many turnovers from taking too long to dispose of the ball
*Knights seems very disinterested in whats happening

[jade_00]

I want Knights gone.

I have never, in my entire life asked for a coach of Essendon be removed.

He CAN NOT respond to the opposition.

We do have the cattle. I don't think anyone doubts our players ability.

I want him gone.

I want a coach that knows how to stem the bleeding, and Knights doesn't.

I am so disgusted.

[Strike Swiftly]

I agree Jade. We are at risk of creating a losing culture with knights

[The Donners]

I want Knights gone.

I have never, in my entire life asked for a coach of Essendon be removed.

He CAN NOT respond to the opposition.

We do have the cattle. I don't think anyone doubts our players ability.

I want him gone.

I want a coach that knows how to stem the bleeding, and Knights doesn't.

I am so disgusted.

Yeah, I happen to agree. He's not the bloke for Essendon, best cut our losses now. Problem is, what coaches are available?

Malthouse, Roos and Bomber Thompson may all be avaiable over the coming year or 2.

I'd prefer Roos or Bomber.

[the mighty dons]

Essendon has been terrible this year so far. Our only win came from a poor Carlton side. I think Knights will find himself under enormous pressure in the next couple of weeks.

[HFF_07]

what coaches are available?



Dean Laidley, Gary O'Donell. Just to name a couple.

[Nuts4Bolts]

Dean Laidley, Gary O'Donell. Just to name a couple.

I'd like to test the Mark Willams/Port Adelaide relationship as well.

[LeeARM]

Yeah, I happen to agree. He's not the bloke for Essendon, best cut our losses now. Problem is, what coaches are available?

Malthouse, Roos and Bomber Thompson may all be avaiable over the coming year or 2.

I'd prefer Roos or Bomber.

Doesn't he have to be the director of football or something when Buckley comes in?

[The Donners]

Dean Laidley, Gary O'Donell. Just to name a couple.

G'OD No!!!

Maybe Laidley, at least we'll get some pressure about us.

[The Donners]

Doesn't he have to be the director of football or something when Buckley comes in?

Not sure what his contract stipulates.

[sacka]

I want Knights gone.

I have never, in my entire life asked for a coach of Essendon be removed.

He CAN NOT respond to the opposition.

We do have the cattle. I don't think anyone doubts our players ability.

I want him gone.

I want a coach that knows how to stem the bleeding, and Knights doesn't.

I am so disgusted.

A lot of Ess supporters have overrated the list i believe, making the finals last year covered a few cracks and to lose the players we have over the last year or two does not help at all.

The list we have right now can not play the Geelong style of footy and i dont believe they ever will be able to either.

Wasn't one of the first things Knights said when he became coach was "we need as a club to be better at disposing of the ball"????(im glad he worked on that one:rolleyes:)
I dont see how getting flogged and playing the way we are is helping the development of young players Mathew Knights?
What can you learn playing this kinda footy that a defensive game plan wont do? learn to defend before you learn to attack.

[The_Young_Gun]

Jimmy Hird..... Be our saviour!!!

[sacka]

what coaches are available?
Does it matter? im sure a bush coach from Manangatang couldn't do any worse than the so called "coach" that is called Matthew Knights.

[citizen-erased]

There is just no intensity in the boys. I would put money if they went out today to play backyard footy they would have done better.

bad positionings, no defensive mindset, no grunt and attack on the ball/man, and terrible offensive mindset. All out attack you would thing would entail some ability to get it into our forward line a lot.

We need Bomber. so bad right now.

[gdaytiger2001]

All these players when coming through the ranks would have been taught one thing, If you handball to a player, lay a Sheppard and give the player time to dispose of the footy.

Collingwood did this to us all day and I think we all know the result.

Not run ahead and wait for the handball receive, leaving your team mate under the pump.

Why is such a fundamental skill such as this not being adhered to?

For this is a I can only blame Knights and his game plan!

[Charliebrow 16]

800 metre sprints for us this week.

[Frothies Mcveigh]

Wait till mid season before judging how Knights game plan works. R1 we played Geelong and played well. Played Fremantle in R2 and were pretty average. R3 played well against Carlton and got the win. R4 another poor performance at Subiaco where we havent beaten the West Coast for a while. Now we played Collingwood who are a very good defensiv team. Really not the best teams to test the game plan. Wait till mid season before callign for Knights head.

[sacka]

800 metre sprints for us this week.
Thats half the problem, maybe some drills that make you put your head over the ball would be better.

[rhysman]

Same old same old...a run of goals scored against us and another big score. Knights and his so called game plan is an unmitigated disaster for our great club. There is no way he will see out his contract, better to cut our losses now. Finals are out for this year so best we start looking now. Would love it if Bomber was available next year.

[lamaros]

I'm not going to say the players weren't shocking today, because they were, but there were other problems with the side today too.

#1 the team selection

Colyer shouldn't be in the team. It doesn't matter how hard you try, if you can't dispose the ball without it being a turnover every time you are a massive liability.

Houli shouldn't have been dropped. He was hard last week and he's bigger and more experienced, and he can kick.

You can't have a team with three guys coming back from injury as well as so many young guys, they just won't be ready for the occasion.

Knights and the selection committe aren't picking players on position, but on whether or not they like them. You can't have Ryder and hille and gumby and monfries and hurley running around, you have to plan their positions and the forward structure.

#2 the game plan

Our game plan falls apart under pressure, which is exactly the opposite of what should happen. We have exactly the wrong type of gameplan for competitive sport. It's like we think were the globe trotters putting on exhibition games. Were not, were in competition.

#3 the skills

We cannot tackle. We always go for the waist and never pin the hands. That's not going to stop them disposing of the ball.

We don't play the ball. None of our guys are concentrating on getting possession of the ball as their number one priority, they're all thinking about how they'll spend it as soon as they see it.

No one can kick across the field without kcking backwards. All our movement through the middle seems to be trained as run and carry, so no one ever switches effectivly by foot. We restrict the forwards leading area because of this and they all get tripple teamed.

Anyhow that's enough for now, too depressed to continue...

[Charliebrow 16]

Thats half the problem, maybe some drills that make you put your head over the ball would be better.

Psh, nonsense. Sprint work obviously fixes everything.

I'm sincerely sorry. I need to joke about this because I'm absolutely disgusted and as disappointed as I can remember feeling after a regular season contest.

[niceslacks]

Wait till mid season before judging how Knights game plan works. R1 we played Geelong and played well. Played Fremantle in R2 and were pretty average. R3 played well against Carlton and got the win. R4 another poor performance at Subiaco where we havent beaten the West Coast for a while. Now we played Collingwood who are a very good defensiv team. Really not the best teams to test the game plan. Wait till mid season before callign for Knights head.


No offence but the only reason we won against Carlton is they were even worse than us, which was really bad. One of the worst games I had seen in a long time.

[bipolarbeaR]

INCOMING WALL OF TEXT!

I've just realized that Knights is turning us into Richmond, you need a coach who knows what it takes to win Premierships and perform when it matters, Knights was a shining star for Richmond back in the day but they still didn't win premierships. I am thinking the next two years are going to be terrible.
Stanton worked his butt off all day, as did Gumby.
Unfortunately what we need to do is trade off some KPP talent for some midfielders that can hit targets reliably and put some penetration into the forward line.
Where is Prismall? Where is Houli? - Both extremely good kicks into the forward 50.
Colyer is impressive, his pressure, his tackling, his ability to take on the game, but my god, can that guy kick straight at all, I have not once seen a kick go to a team member that wasn't on the bounce.
Dempsey showed that he shouldn't be played in the back, he is too good on the wing and kicking goals, and should be Lovett's replacement.
Ryder needs to be in a position where he gets the ball more often, such a good kick, great decision maker, I think we should put him back in the backline as Hooker doesn't look like can handle the pressure of the big stage, terrible decision maker.
McVeigh, Welsh and Winderlich - B Graders playing like they can't be bothered making an impact, which is just pathetic for what should be a leadership group.
Kick the ball into the forward 50, for gods sake! we have some of the best contested markers in the AFL.
Where was Williams??? He is the forward target we needed today, and a big game player.
Stop everything, work on skills, and fitness, that is all, basic stuff, goal kicking, kicking 1v1, gathering the ball 1v1, handpassing to a target and not to the ground in front of him.
I usually mould my weekend around watching Essendon, I am going to stop that from now on, call me a bandwagoner if you like, I have better things to do other than moping around all weekend when I should be having fun after working hard all week.

[LeeARM]

800 metre sprints for us this week.

Sprints solve everything. I don't know why the other coaches bother with kicking drills and gameplans.

[DVD Player]

The opposition know we will handball under pressure and so basically bulldog us, attack the man confident they won't be caught out of position.

It is pitiful, it is Knights, and I for one believe the club needs to sack Knights and get Malthouse to sign on for next year, if only to get them to develop some sort of gameplan that isn't pathetic when under pressure.

100% agree

[wasupwidat]

http://www.facebook.com/pages/James-Hird-to-replace-Matthew-Knights-as-Essendon-Coach/114127405285062
Everyone who wants Hird to replace Knights should "like" this page

[LeeARM]

Unfortunately what we need to do is trade off some KPP talent for some midfielders that can hit targets reliably and put some penetration into the forward line.
With the GC/WS draft picks coming in I'm think trading might be our answer too. Although I'm not sure who to trade but if we want something good it'll have to be one of Pears, Hooker, Ryder, Gumbleton, Hurley.

Where is Prismall? Where is Houli? - Both extremely good kicks into the forward 50.
Houli might've been a bit stiff to miss out with Colyer staying in but Prismall sounds like he's doing nothing to warrant selection at the moment. I don't think he deserves a free ride.

Where was Williams??? He is the forward target we needed today, and a big game player.
Injured.

Stop everything, work on skills, and fitness, that is all, basic stuff, goal kicking, kicking 1v1, gathering the ball 1v1, handpassing to a target and not to the ground in front of him.
Sounds good to me.

[Bombers36]

I tend to agree with the sentiment in most of the posts above. I dont dislike Knights, but he certainly hasnt impressed me as a coach at all. Not sure if sacking him half way through the season is the answer though - and if we did we would really want a good coach as a replacement. I think Jimmy Hird would be great - the man is a legend - weather or not he would want to try pick up the pieces and work with this group is another story.
Not sure what we need to do from here - certainly lots of soul searching down at the club this week.
I cant remember feeling this dejected after a loss, but I guess its the trend of loss's this season, the lack of output from players I thought would step up, and the general direction - or lack of at the club at the moment. Very disappointed especially to lose like that to Collingwood who I dont even rate as a top 4 side.

[LeeARM]

http://www.facebook.com/pages/James-Hird-to-replace-Matthew-Knights-as-Essendon-Coach/114127405285062
Everyone who wants Hird to replace Knights should "like" this page

While I'd love for Hird to be our coach I'd hate to see him rushed in with no experience. If it went right and he was great, it'd be awesome. If it went wrong, it'd be embarrassing and fairly painful.

[The_Young_Gun]

Knighta gives me the shits.. He's had the same gameplan for the past 3 years and it took us to the finals only once, then of which we got smashed because "ooops" we forgot to include a ruckman into the lineup..

He says he's changed up the structure of the backline this year for the better, yet it's worse now than 3 ****ing years ago??.... Has Matty knights ever heard of the Flood?? at least try to go St.Kilda style for one game of the season...

Recruiting: yes he's picked up Hurls, Pears, Hook, Melksham .ect.... But Myers?? lets be frank with ourselves, he's a dogs breakfast at the moment and he and our supporters cant come to admit it..
We let Rioli and Barlow slip through our fingers at Essendon over the preseasons, through the last word decision of Matthew Knights.

Another thing is Knighta thought we didn't run hard enough against the Eagles last week.... So 400m laps for the whole team it was.... Bad gamneplanning I say, but no Matty Knights thinks his gameplan is "holeproof", too arrogant to admit he has massive flaws in our gammeplan...

Hirdy, Sheeds, Lloydy and even more essendon greats have all questioned Knighta's coaching... Yet after nearly everygame its not knighta saying "Our structure in defence wasn't up to scratch, we'll work on it at training this week", its usually "our players didn't run hard enough, the players didnt stick to the plan and it was quite pathetic by the boys today"..... I'm gonna put it out there and say Knighta is an Arrogant idiot.. I reaken he's scared of admitting he's got flaws in the gameplan, and scared of being portrayed as a weak minded coach..

[Daytripper]

I've stuck with knights bit that's the last straw for me today. Can't even comment properly as am just too devastated.

[Charliebrow 16]

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but did anyone hear what channel seven reported at quarter time? Something about Knights having very little input and telling the players to figure it out themselves in the huddle?

[sacka]

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but did anyone hear what channel seven reported at quarter time? Something about Knights having very little input and telling the players to figure it out themselves in the huddle?
I saw him watching tapes of how geelong play during the first quarter to try and get some ideas to make some moves. He actually said to the runner to put Ablett on the ball.

[Snappahead]

While I'd love for Hird to be our coach I'd hate to see him rushed in with no experience. If it went right and he was great, it'd be awesome. If it went wrong, it'd be embarrassing and fairly painful.

A la Wally Lewis and the Brisbane Broncos. Real cringe material.

[mugsyman]

In a year when players are meant to be improving from last years 'rebuilding year', these sorts of results are getting very disapointing. Our only win this season, against an absolutely woeful Carlton, was still a horrible game of football.
Perhaps the most annoying thing to watch is that the players dont seem to be comfortable with their positions. Monfries (who to some extent was a barometre for us last year with his goalkicking) was down in defence today. How exactly that is going to help our development astounds me.
We are looking like a bottom 4 side this year, and with GC getting all the higher draft pics, if we dont see some improvements soon, could have a very nasty looking couple of seasons.
Unsure if Knights' gameplan is going anywhere, hope for the sake of all other Essendon supporters that it is. Hopefully we can see some more games like Gumby's today, as these games give us some hope for the future.

[High and Dry]

Colyer shouldn't be in the team. It doesn't matter how hard you try, if you can't dispose the ball without it being a turnover every time you are a massive liability.


Bit harsh of Colyer, we have far too many out of form players to single anyone out..

Winderlich, Welsh, McVeigh to name a few. Ryder has also had a poor couple of weeks

Essendon had a grand total of 58 tackles :eek:

[Strike Swiftly]

That pretty much reflects my post. Knights offered nothing at qtr time. He is not a leaders backside. Old Jellyspine he is. Get rid of him. Had a gutful of his inept coaching performances.

[Ludwig van Bertstare]

Everytime the camera was on him today he just look dumbfounded.

[bipolarbeaR]

We need a coach with answers and Roos-like composure.
Knights seems to follow one strategy and offer no counter strats.

[marcuz]

I think he'll be gone at the end of the year, only thing that will save him is if we come home like a train like the young saints and hawks teams of a few years ago.

Its not a good sign when your team gets worse every week.

[coup de grace]

from what i remember, knights only got the job because he offered immediate success on the field, while the other candidates thought we needed time to develop

[yaco55]

Some over-reactions - As to be expected.

The problem hasn't changed in the last 5 years - It hasn't been addressed.

We are a lazy team who doesn't place enough pressure on the opposition when WE dont have the ball.

Had the same problem under Sheedy.

[HighettBomber]

I'm not going to say the players weren't shocking today, because they were, but there were other problems with the side today too.

#1 the team selection

Colyer shouldn't be in the team. It doesn't matter how hard you try, if you can't dispose the ball without it being a turnover every time you are a massive liability.

Houli shouldn't have been dropped. He was hard last week and he's bigger and more experienced, and he can kick.

You can't have a team with three guys coming back from injury as well as so many young guys, they just won't be ready for the occasion.

Knights and the selection committe aren't picking players on position, but on whether or not they like them. You can't have Ryder and hille and gumby and monfries and hurley running around, you have to plan their positions and the forward structure.

#2 the game plan

Our game plan falls apart under pressure, which is exactly the opposite of what should happen. We have exactly the wrong type of gameplan for competitive sport. It's like we think were the globe trotters putting on exhibition games. Were not, were in competition.

#3 the skills

We cannot tackle. We always go for the waist and never pin the hands. That's not going to stop them disposing of the ball.

We don't play the ball. None of our guys are concentrating on getting possession of the ball as their number one priority, they're all thinking about how they'll spend it as soon as they see it.

No one can kick across the field without kcking backwards. All our movement through the middle seems to be trained as run and carry, so no one ever switches effectivly by foot. We restrict the forwards leading area because of this and they all get tripple teamed.

Anyhow that's enough for now, too depressed to continue...

It's not really fair to single out Colyer, he was far from our worst player today, although i agree with you re his disposal. He doesn't seem to think a lot of the time because some of his kicks that went directly to Collingwood players came off his foot perfectly. He did a few good creative things and applied some good pressure at times, I'd keep him in ahead of Melksham to be honest, although both could probably do with a run in the VFL.

Howlett, Houli and Jetta were all good yesterday, I think they should all come into the team, as should Neagle. I won't say who i think should be droped as I know they won't be, but these three should come in ahead of most of the running players out there today.

I think Hooker needs a rest in the twos. Hurley didn't earn a spot next week, but i think he shoudl stay in regardless, because we all know how good he can be. Neagle is a must to come in because we need his bulk in the forwardline, in addition to the fact he hit some very good form on Saturday.

I couldn't tell what the game plan was today. It is generally simplistic to say "we should just kick it" but kicking it is definately better than handballing to a player 5 metres away who is stationary with his back to the goals. Collingwood used their hanball really intelligently, to create loose players and make sure the kicker had time, but it was also noticable that they were prepared to just kick it forward if they were under pressure and didn't have a decent option. They also seem to spread out much better than we do, so they have more options in the open.

I don't know what to say about the disposal. Even guys like Winderlich, who is generally a very good kick, couldn't hit a target.

[sen entertainment bloke]

This was predictable from public comments from Knights and Welsh during the week. Essendon was just hoping for a win.

The way I see it, Knights fell in love with Essendon. His heart is in the right place. There is no problem there. His past is not important.

It's just time for him to work out if he wants to barrack for Essendon like the rest of us. Or be coach of Essendon like he was appointed to do.

I don't think we have major personnel problems. Just a matter of a coach getting them to play for each other.

From watching on TV today, we need to hand ball back wards on the half back line to an advancing player, the receiving player needs to kick it to a breaking forward and away we go. We were handballing forward and killing our confidence with turnovers.

Handballing it forward as the first movement out of defence is just to risky unless you are really on. Opposition players forward of the ball find it to easy to attack and cause a turnover.

Anyway, Knights has a moment of inner reckoning.

Does he want to coach Essendon. Or just be another Essendon supporter hoping for a win like the rest of us.

[Strike Swiftly]

Why can't our team hold a tackle? I can't think of a single player who can? Absolutely pathetic.

[the PILL]

Never wanted Matthew knights as a coach but was willing to shut my mouth to see how it went...

Honestly i am glad this thread was made to let out a few passionate opinions with out blind retaliation by the BF faithful...

Something needs to be done but i get the feeling this saga will bumble along for a little while yet until opinions like these become overwhelming... I only hope Essendon doesnt make another knee jerk reaction like the failed appoinment of matthew knights and plans a much more flexible coach witha a gameplan that incorperates week to week challenges rather than this predictable handball fail just do it and see poo....

[lemon chicken]

Everytime the camera was on him today he just look dumbfounded.

I love when one of our guys misses a shot on goal and he hangs his head as if all his plans have gone out the window as a result.

[Phat Toni]

This is just sickening - Insipid, rubbish performance. The only thing I'm hoping for Tuesday morning is "Knights Sacked"

I've been to 13 Anzac days, didn’t go this year because I knew this was going to happen. I will not be a Essendon member again until Knights is gone.

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

That pretty much reflects my post. Knights offered nothing at qtr time. He is not a leaders backside. Old Jellyspine he is. Get rid of him. Had a gutful of his inept coaching performances.

that gives me the shits didnt even give them a rev up just stood there calm and not looked worried dose it all the time sick of it.and when he dose give them a rev up and change things it's to late

[rines]

Be careful guys.. the mods will kill this thread like they have killed the last 5 on knights this year.

The guys is a spud, don't know how much more we can really say on the topic.

He has no plans, no idea and it was embarrassing to sit and watch the crap we served up today. No heart, no spirit. I thought Jobe tried but the rest all looked like they were lost.

If he served up sprints last week, i guess this weeks its a robert walls style boxing match?? I mean seriously.. does he have any thoughts that didn't come from the 80's??

He has successfully turned us into richmond.. and now they have our coach in hardwick and they are 1 year and a heap of draft picks ahead of us in development. I think the only question now is how to we start the rebuild the fastest, who do we have to trade to get some mids in and which coach will fit us the best?

Personally if roos was interested I'd take him in a heartbeat. Laidley might be ok, was excellent tactician.. bomber has already said he doesn't want to coach again but maybe the lure of the red and black might be enough? Voss stepped straight in and I think Hird could do the same if he wanted. Right now I'd take anyone with half a brain..

[DaSawx]

I'd love to know what the players really think.

[rines]

We need a coach with answers and Roos-like composure.
Knights seems to follow one strategy and offer no counter strats.

well a week is a long time in footy eh?!!

Glad to have you aboard my insomniac friend! I knew you would see the light eventually.. :thumbsu::)

[Skeeta Olly]

Hooker to full forward? Who the **** does he think he is, trying to do a Sheedy Fletcher move or something?

[The_Young_Gun]

I'd love to know what the players really think.

Usually when players aren't impressed with their coach they drop off on motivation and attack..

Winderlich for example was really awesome last year.. Another pre-season of practicing the same old shit, that just doesn't work, your attitude changes... now he's less motivated to play good footy than Homer Simpson is to go on a hunger strike..

[mick76]

This is just sickening - Insipid, rubbish performance. The only thing I'm hoping for Tuesday morning is "Knights Sacked"

I've been to 13 Anzac days, didn’t go this year because I knew this was going to happen. I will not be a Essendon member again until Knights is gone.

We got rid of sheedy for what? we pushed out our two greatest forwards for who?we played finals with 10 and a half wins wow lol and got smashed, we keep hearing about this game plan, poor Dustin should go now with pride before it gets real ugly, one of the greatest footy clubs of all is falling fast due to bad decision making, we need some greats to put the club back up where the club belongs, Knights was never the answer to our problems, hopefully by round 11 at about 10am it should all be over

[Ben the Gooner]

I will not be a Essendon member again until Knights is gone.

Utterly pathetic.

Be careful guys.. the mods will kill this thread like they have killed the last 5 on knights this year.

How so?

[Skeeta Olly]

Essendon's Plan B.

Sack Knights

m i rite?!

[eastaugh36]

Well,well well. Where are all the Knights is god posters that were on here a few years back???
Re Knights, all I will say is...... - I told you so....................

[Ludwig van Bertstare]

Well,well well. Where are all the Knights is god posters that were on here a few years back???
Re Knights, all I will say is...... - I told you so....................

NO ONE has ever said Knights is god, or suggested he is elite (except for the idiots). Most of us were in the wait and see boat and some still are. This "I told you so" crap is just childish.

[rines]

Utterly pathetic.



How so?

For the risk of being banned, you guys have shifted threads, merged threads, deleted posts, banned posters.

In fact it was open season on anyone anti knights for the first few weeks of the season. I think you even locked one thread to "give guys time to calm down before posting"...

Plus clearly putting in the posting rules that we can't make comments like "sack knights" or "outs: knights" etc.. I see this as a form of censorship that has been very pro-knights.

I am just glad that the tide finally seems to be turning and the voice of the masses is rising up.

[Skeeta Olly]

Well,well well. Where are all the Knights is god posters that were on here a few years back???
Re Knights, all I will say is...... - I told you so....................

I don't get this. This isn't something you should be smug about (sorry if you're not being smug). It's unfair on the people that had faith in Knights, for Knights (and the players) to serve up trash like they have.

NO ONE has ever said Knights is god, or suggested he is elite (except for the idiots). Most of us were in the wait and see boat and some still are. This "I told you so" crap is just childish.

This also.

[rines]

NO ONE has ever said Knights is god, or suggested he is elite (except for the idiots). Most of us were in the wait and see boat and some still are. This "I told you so" crap is just childish.

Umm actually there were quite a few that thought he was the saviour. And i have lost count of how many times I was told to "shut up and put up" as I wasn't a true supporter for hating knights.

And those of us who said he was crap from day 1 are dubiously enjoying our moment of vindication even though it hurts like hell because we love this club just as much as everyone on here.

It hurts to know a man is going to drag your club down and then be told that you have to "wait and see" him do it before being allowed to speak. And now we have arrived. Below Melbourne for crying out loud.. I am literally sick at the thought of what has become of our once great club. Dark days are ahead and I am just so glad to finally have some other voices of reason on these boards. Finally realising that you don't need to "wait and see" for yet another miserable year before having to go back to the drawing board.

And I am not just referencing you RIG. You have always been very clear that you were sitting on the fence..

[lemon chicken]

From his first year my opinions of him were that he couldn't match day coach. This opinion has not waivered it has only grown. Early on he was getting the most out of some guys who had shown very little which was encouraging. He has now topped up on KP players in most of his draft picks yet our game plan consists of handball, handball, handball, turnover rather than build something based on our strengths. And add to that our best ruckman is now being played as a fwd but he doesnt want us to kick the ball. :confused:

[Knight Ryders]

First things first, Collingwood are a good team. But seriously, how have we let Melbourne and Freo pass us by?

We need to get back to basics. The absolute basics. Kicking, handballing, tackling, shepherding, running to position, talking etc. Run the guts out of them if you want, but make sure they have ball in hand when they do.

We are devoid of confidence at the moment.

Is Knights to blame? I'm not sure, but the number one has to take the blame even if it is the players not playing to standard. He turned it around in the first year, he'll need to do the same this year or he'll be on his bike. A proud club like ours won't put up with this insipid displays for too much longer.

For those saying we need to rebuild again, you are missing the point. We have a 20-21 year olds holding our key positions. If that is not rebuilding, what is? We'll get there, but we're currently lacking direction from our senior players bar Fletcher and may be Hille

[Skeeta Olly]

More sprints, less skills.

[eastaugh36]

NO ONE has ever said Knights is god, or suggested he is elite (except for the idiots). Most of us were in the wait and see boat and some still are. This "I told you so" crap is just childish.

Sorry, I was only referring to a couple of clowns who bagged me when I said he wasn't a coach's *** hole back in 2007. What a waste of 3 years.

[Charliebrow 16]

I'm just slightly disappointed. I sat there absolutely appalled at quarter time having just seen our proud club completely annihilated in every facet. Once again we were unable to stem the overwhelming numbers as they managed to kick seven unanswered goals. Now forgive me for being optimistic, but I would have thought that our senior coach, Matthew Knights would have addressed this club, gave a passionate speech at the very least.

Nope.

He played with a few magnets on a board and told the players to figure it out themselves. How are we supposed to improve when our players have no guidance, no direction and no apparent second gameplan?

Put simply, Knights had no answers. If our senior coach doesn't, how are our younger players ever going to learn?

[Ben the Gooner]

For the risk of being banned,

What a load of wank.

you guys have shifted threads, merged threads, deleted posts, banned posters.

Not apologising for that. Having 10 anti-Knights threads is silly. Just like having 10 pro-Knights threads.

As for the last two there - at no time have I deleted any posts or banned anyone for their opinions. Pretty much every red I've given to Essendon fans has been for the swear filter.

In fact it was open season on anyone anti knights for the first few weeks of the season.

We don't control what people post. If you want to criticise Knights, go for it. If you want to criticise people who criticise Knights (within the rules), go for it.

I think you even locked one thread to "give guys time to calm down before posting"...

Plus clearly putting in the posting rules that we can't make comments like "sack knights" or "outs: knights" etc.. I see this as a form of censorship that has been very pro-knights.

That is you misinterpreting rules for the Changes threads. Those threads are specifically for player changes for next week. The reason we've closed them is because they're full of comments about Knights. If you want to criticise him, go for it. Just don't de-rail the changes thread.

As for the pro-Knights thing, I'm not sure where that's coming from. HFF has been very critical of Essendon, Whomb has stated many times that he's neither pro- not anti-Knights, and I've kept right out of those threads.

I am just glad that the tide finally seems to be turning and the voice of the masses is rising up.

I find it hard to see how you can be "glad" that the team is doing poorly. Would you rather be right, or Essendon be winning?

[Skeeta Olly]

We've been all about the 'talk' this year. It's time to shut the **** up and get on with the job.

I said I'll give Knights till then end of the season. Matthew Knights, you have 17 games left this year to prove to me that you are the right person to coach the Essendon Football Club.

[rines]

I find it hard to see how you can be "glad" that the team is doing poorly. Would you rather be right, or Essendon be winning?

I would rather eat humble pie.. and then some more humble pie.. and then another helping. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to be coming on here and saying I got it wrong and have my beloved bombers on top or heading that way. Unfortunately for me, I will never have that option because Knights can't coach. And no team will win a flag in this era of professionalism without a top notch coach and game plan.

As to the other stuff.. fair enough.. I will say no more about the moderating on this board.

[yaco55]

Be careful guys.. the mods will kill this thread like they have killed the last 5 on knights this year.

The guys is a spud, don't know how much more we can really say on the topic.

He has no plans, no idea and it was embarrassing to sit and watch the crap we served up today. No heart, no spirit. I thought Jobe tried but the rest all looked like they were lost.

If he served up sprints last week, i guess this weeks its a robert walls style boxing match?? I mean seriously.. does he have any thoughts that didn't come from the 80's??

He has successfully turned us into richmond.. and now they have our coach in hardwick and they are 1 year and a heap of draft picks ahead of us in development. I think the only question now is how to we start the rebuild the fastest, who do we have to trade to get some mids in and which coach will fit us the best?

Personally if roos was interested I'd take him in a heartbeat. Laidley might be ok, was excellent tactician.. bomber has already said he doesn't want to coach again but maybe the lure of the red and black might be enough? Voss stepped straight in and I think Hird could do the same if he wanted. Right now I'd take anyone with half a brain..

You appear to be sensitive.

Of course you can start a thread, have an opinion - But dont expect everyone to AGREE with your opinion.

I started a thread today suggesting that McVeigh is finished as an AFL footballer - Of course I expect a difference of opinion.

I even started a thread in July 2009 - suggesting that LLoyd and Lucas should retire - I was howled down at the time.

[Ben the Gooner]

Fair enough mate. It seems that some Knights-bashers are taking joy in themselves being right.

Feel free to PM me or one of the other mods if you do have any questions/concerns about our moderating.

[larson]

He is slowly destroying our club.

Get Malthouse! A great manager of men, good tactician, his team plays for him.