A weird feeling

[Veggie]

Lucky for me yesterday Chelsea won the Champions League....... so to be honest i switched off at half time and didnt bother checking the final result until this morning.

Its quite simple realy, the teams around us have improved and we have been left behind, the natural improvment of a group which takes place from year to year has just not happened this year.

The most frustrating thing for me is seeing Essendon back on top, how they have gone from being three years behind us to where they are now is beyond me....

one more thing, if Dangerfield wants to come back to Vic, give them Gibbs Russell and our first round pick........

 

[thylacine60]

Oh we're not?

Posted from my iPhone in the emergency lane on West Gate Bridge with one foot on the rail.

Please be careful. Try not to land on a duck.

 

[slashin_velvet]

Im ok with us not being the best team in the league - thats completely fine with me.

Its the lack of heart and passion that makes me sick. When we didnt even show a peep of courage in the last quarter of yesterdays game disgusts me. If this is the type of "bruise free" footy that Carlton wants to play, then ill start supporting the Giants.

 

[thylacine60]

Anyone who threatens to change teams and means it might as well go now. What will be the next issue that hurts their pea hearts? Just go and save yourself the pain of sticking loyal through tough times.

 

[slashin_velvet]

Anyone who threatens to change teams and means it might as well go now. What will be the next issue that hurts their pea hearts? Just go and save yourself the pain of sticking loyal through tough times.

You're probably right mate. After being loyal since a young age, and going through the last 10+ years of attrocious displays, I stuck by a team that lacked skill, but had courage and didnt leave anything out there.

Thats what I want to see from my team, and im not seeing it from Carlton.

 

[Faz 2000]

Now is not the time to jump off or abandon ship. It's OK to be disappointed and do a little soul-searching, though.

I think we've been lazy in our thinking and development and assumed "our #1s" and others would all develop into superstars without anyone having to worry about it, and downright blind in our assessment of certain players (for example, if anyone can explain why Aaron Joseph plays in the AFL, please do let me know).

We are not nearly as good as we'd hoped, or even thought we were. That *really* hurts.

BUT... now then it's time to pull up the socks, roll up the sleeves, (insert other phrase here), and re-apply to get better. We know our Plan A is OK. Run fast into open space, chop up bad/slow teams by 10 goals. OK, that works. Now, Plan B.... pllllannnnnnnn Beeeeeeeee.....? What do we do when the opposition wants the ball more than us? Other than have dismal losses, I mean...

 

[Recon_29]

The losses of the last 2 weeks have easily hurt more than any loss we produced in those 'dark' years.

Even a 10 goal win against Melbourne, (which will more than likely happen) will not fix this feeling. I feel there is some underlying problem within the club, we cannot sustain a solid effort for more than a couple of weeks.

Soft.

 

[serenityNow]

Should never, under any circumstance throw the i'll go support someone else comment up


I walked outside yesterday at half time and booted one of the kids balls that was sitting on the lawn in anger.....would've gone over 3 houses, missus sez from the Kitchen window "what did you just do?" i said "nothing, i'm just having a smoke"

 

[Gary Wilson's Helmet]

Maybe we all need a 'smoke'... http://footyalmanac.com.au/?p=38192

 

[Lukesta63]

Agreed. Also I wouldn't lock Melbourne in as 100% either.

Post of the ****ing day!!

Any deluded supporter who is hanging their hat on the next 2 weeks is in for a rude shock!!

 

[Lukesta63]

Anyone who threatens to change teams and means it might as well go now. What will be the next issue that hurts their pea hearts? Just go and save yourself the pain of sticking loyal through tough times.

Yeah thats fine Thy,but a lot of us have followed this club,given money during the dark times ,because in a sporting sense,we love this club, and now when we got all the #1's and started showing promise,what do we get???

We were used to the good feeling thats why this ,whatever it is, is so bitter.
They should think about the supporters who cop the aftermath,who have to find answers when the 7 y.o asks why we lost Dad!!!

 

[thylacine60]

But did it ever cross your mind to change clubs?

 

[The Coach]

Yeah thats fine Thy,but a lot of us have followed this club,given money during the dark times ,because in a sporting sense,we love this club, and now when we got all the #1's and started showing promise,what do we get???

We were used to the good feeling thats why this ,whatever it is, is so bitter.
They should think about the supporters who cop the aftermath,who have to find answers when the 7 y.o asks why we lost Dad!!!

Always a simple answer to that one:

You do not win all the time and the other team were better today

 

[Artie Bucco]

Yesterday for me was the most disappointing loss I can remember, through the dark days our expectations were low so it was a little easier to swallow.

Yesterday we played a team who has a new coach, is doing really well and we were just simply out muscled, out classed and out worked.

Needs to be a bit of soul searching going on at the moment.

 

[mike ockerts]

Always a simple answer to that one:

You do not win all the time and the other team were better today

I'm all out of reasons and excuses to tell my kids why we lost a game, what do you tell your kids when the above have been used so so many times before? Do you be honest and tell it as it is and break there little hearts, or do I just keep lying to them?

 

[phoenix69]

Yesterday for me was the most disappointing loss I can remember, through the dark days our expectations were low so it was a little easier to swallow.

Yesterday we played a team who has a new coach, is doing really well and we were just simply out muscled, out classed and out worked.

Needs to be a bit of soul searching going on at the moment.

The blues will bounce back. we've just been found out by injuries and our bottom 6 players in the team. when things are clicking for everyone else they get a game based on team performance. when the aren't they stand out like dogs bollocks! the ship will steady and we will be finals bound. If we can get players back and have a solid list (not relying on players who are clearly not up to it) we might even win another final

 

[Bronze]

Try being a Liverpool fan. That is torture!!!

 

[RattAttack]

We will bounce back. Next 2 games v Melbourne and Port will help our cause no doubt.

A month ago we were flag favs and media were quoting our midfield as the best in the comp. Losing Carrats and now Murphy doesnt help but the overall talent does not just disappear overnight. Gibbs, Robbo, Simmo, Ellard, Curnow all need to carry a little extra slack now...

A few tweaks and I think we will be ok. Our small forwards have proven that they can be a handful so no reason why they will not be again. A couple of games away from Etihad will help also.

Please people lets not get too carried away. Yesterday was very hard to watch. We're flat, out of form and in serious need of a good old ear bashing...but I think with a good week on the track and 3-4 changes to our side we will respond.

And my 2 cents worth - Russell is just not at AFL standard at present so needs a demotion I think. Thornton doesnt seem to 'want it' enough, drops his head way too easily and at times looks uniterested so give him a spell too I think. Add an injured Murphy to that list and perhaps one more (just to set an example - perhaps Hampson).

Out- Murphy, Russell, Thornton, Hampson?
In- Waite, Lucas, McLean, Bootsma?

 

[mac25]

The blues will bounce back. we've just been found out by injuries and our bottom 6 players in the team. when things are clicking for everyone else they get a game based on team performance. when the aren't they stand out like dogs bollocks! the ship will steady and we will be finals bound. If we can get players back and have a solid list (not relying on players who are clearly not up to it) we might even win another final

You are seriously kidding yourself if you believe this, look at West Coast they have 5 out of their first 18 out and are on top,enough of the excuses, the problem runs alot deeper than one or 2 injuries.
The reality is that yes we will play better footy at some stage, but to finish top 4 you need consistent strong performances for most of the season, as we know finisHing 5-8 is a near impossible task to go deep into september, and are we satisfied with another 5-8 finish NO.

 

[Hus83]

I watched the Richmond v Essendon game on Saturday. I've always thrown away the quote of, 'it's not so bad, you could be a Richmond supporter.' I don't consider that an insult anymore.

With their current playing group, they get in there and have an absolute crack and they've done this every game this year.
It's exciting, it's often riddled with skill errors and sometimes it just pays off. The first step to actually winning a game is getting the football, which they do quite a lot of.

Watching the last three games from the Blues you can notice several trends.

1. We may as well not even have a ruckman. You could put Bootsma in the ruck and our stats won't fluctuate an awful lot, they could only get better. 100 hitouts, 4 clearances. If any of our giants could take a mark you could play them in the forward line, but they look about as shakey as Henderson did in his first years. So at this point in time, Kreuzer is the only guy who brings some utility to the team with his midfield and running abilities. Hampson was absolutely spent by half time, nothing in the tank left. About as much defensive pressure as a Norwegian glacier. Play 1 ruckman.

2. Our 'elite' midfield has stagnated. Peaked about 1-2 years ago and other teams have since overtaken them. Some of the passages of play that Essendon linked together was simply great to watch. Effective handballs to targets at full speed or in space. Teammates knowing where the other players were going to be, trust in each other etc. Working as a...dare I say it, team.

3. Nobody takes responsibility at having a shot on goal. 55m out, there is no reason to not have a shot. Handball to you, no handball to you, no you have it, no way you have it. Our penetration into the 50m arc can only be described by a word yet to be invented but something that exceeds abysmal. Bring Waite back and we then get an awesome target to kick to in the forward pocket at a 90 degree angle. Great.

4. Forward line structure hasn't changed in several years. Teams have worked it out. If our 'mosquito fleet' can't pick up cheapies over the top of the press or if murphy/simpson are tagged out of the game, we can't buy a goal. You end up with Mitch Robinson getting the ball (one of few who does), however he has no option but to mongrel punt it into the near heavens. This registers an inside 50 but it doesn't offer anything in the way of dangerous targets.

5. Opposition could kick in blindfolded. Just pick an area where a player is near and you can guarantee a Carlton player won't be within 10 metres of him. Why do we let them have the first kick into play? Followed by the second, third and generally fourth. Adelaide looked like they were in front of their opponent by 3-4 metres the entire game. Every one of our passes was hot. Not even sure how we registered an uncontested possession.

6. Ratten has brought us this far and for that I am thankful but when you listen to the likes of Malthouse break down and analyse a game in such depth, you know Ratten would just have a blank look on his face and ask for him to explain it again for him. Cut the losses, say thanks for coming and start again. Consistency is something we have not improved on in as long as I remember. How many more years do we have to struggle against Bulldogs, West Coast, St Kilda, Adelaide. Regardless of how they are travelling, they generally drag us to Etihad at some point and we can't work out how to play on a patch of grass under a roof. Is it really that different? I can't for the life of me work it out. Cut the deal and start playing at Visy Park or something.

7. The following players are called to be played, then dropped each week.
-Lucas
-Thornton
-Russell
-Bower
-McLean
They generally get a game then get rubbished and dropped, only to be demanded back the following week.

8. Eddie Betts will look dangerous for 5 minutes. Kick 4 goals then may as well be off the field. Very much like Rioli at times. Can't remember seeing him at the bottom of a pack unless it was a contested pass into the 50m.

9. Garlett will get a few cheap goals, have amazing closing speed and miss 20 tackles. He needs to just slow down a pace or two to steady his technique.

10. Bryce Gibbs will run around by himself at half back and we will lament the wasted skill of his position.

It's one thing to be disappointed if you have a crap team and you lose another game but when you have a decent squad of players and you still play crap or play to a crap gameplan that's what grinds you down. Some of the coaching staff should be on notice. Accepting mediocrity for so long is just that...accepting mediocrity.

 

[steveo898]

7. The following players are called to be played, then dropped each week.
-Lucas
-Thornton
-Russell
-Bower
-McLean
They generally get a game then get rubbished and dropped, only to be demanded back the following week.

I was just thinking the exact same thing, this seems to be a cycle we have.

-Lucas
-Thornton
-Russell
-Bower
-McLean
-Ellard
-Joseph
-Collins

These players make up our bottom 6. I believe we may need to find better talent or persist with the younger players to build up confidence and experience.

Cause it just doesnt seem to be working by bringing in these players for 1,2 or 3 weeks then just drop them for the exact same results to follow.

IMO I would stay with:
-Thornton - adds versatilty and if he is playing bad forward send him back as loose man.
-Lucas - has the skills to be a good footballer, think he needs more confidence in his position with the club, if he is having a quite game in the midfield then throw him in the backline see what he can do.
-Ellard - Never gives up, always gives 100%, at least you know you will get effort & once again if not working in the middle then play him forward(has shown he can score a few a goals)

I would like to see more changes on the field during the game if we are losing, Move players around more, if they aren't getting a touch then mix it up!

Example, put Yarran in the middle and play lucas back. If we are already losing then it's not like we are risking much.

 

[The Coach]

I watched the Richmond v Essendon game on Saturday. I've always thrown away the quote of, 'it's not so bad, you could be a Richmond supporter.' I don't consider that an insult anymore.

With their current playing group, they get in there and have an absolute crack and they've done this every game this year.
It's exciting, it's often riddled with skill errors and sometimes it just pays off. The first step to actually winning a game is getting the football, which they do quite a lot of.

In our VFL game Northern Blues were expected to be creamed by the strong Werribee team but it did not happen because the kids had a dip and won the ball

Watching the last three games from the Blues you can notice several trends.

1. We may as well not even have a ruckman. You could put Bootsma in the ruck and our stats won't fluctuate an awful lot, they could only get better. 100 hitouts, 4 clearances. If any of our giants could take a mark you could play them in the forward line, but they look about as shakey as Henderson did in his first years. So at this point in time, Kreuzer is the only guy who brings some utility to the team with his midfield and running abilities. Hampson was absolutely spent by half time, nothing in the tank left. About as much defensive pressure as a Norwegian glacier. Play 1 ruckman.

The ruck coach and midfield coach would have to be feeling some pressure (not just Ratts)

2. Our 'elite' midfield has stagnated. Peaked about 1-2 years ago and other teams have since overtaken them. Some of the passages of play that Essendon linked together was simply great to watch. Effective handballs to targets at full speed or in space. Teammates knowing where the other players were going to be, trust in each other etc. Working as a...dare I say it, team.

Don't know about peaking 1-2 yrs ago (maybe 1 or 2 months ago - Juddy is Juddy, and Murph improved last year and Carrots had the best start he ever has) I think Scotty is about to find some 2011 form but like Juddy he is running out of seasons. Ellard has only had one week so far - let's see what he can bring. Carrots back will make a big diff. Murph if he gets back is going to need a lot of help (this can start the minute he gets off the operating table) from a mentor who can tweek his game. He is not a difficult player to tag and the opposn are now aware of this. Once again Williams and Ratts have a lot to be responsible for

3. Nobody takes responsibility at having a shot on goal. 55m out, there is no reason to not have a shot. Handball to you, no handball to you, no you have it, no way you have it. Our penetration into the 50m arc can only be described by a word yet to be invented but something that exceeds abysmal. Bring Waite back and we then get an awesome target to kick to in the forward pocket at a 90 degree angle. Great.

4. Forward line structure hasn't changed in several years. Teams have worked it out. If our 'mosquito fleet' can't pick up cheapies over the top of the press or if murphy/simpson are tagged out of the game, we can't buy a goal. You end up with Mitch Robinson getting the ball (one of few who does), however he has no option but to mongrel punt it into the near heavens. This registers an inside 50 but it doesn't offer anything in the way of dangerous targets.

I dont think anybody doesn't have twin towers on their wish list

5. Opposition could kick in blindfolded. Just pick an area where a player is near and you can guarantee a Carlton player won't be within 10 metres of him. Why do we let them have the first kick into play? Followed by the second, third and generally fourth. Adelaide looked like they were in front of their opponent by 3-4 metres the entire game. Every one of our passes was hot. Not even sure how we registered an uncontested possession.

6. Ratten has brought us this far and for that I am thankful but when you listen to the likes of Malthouse break down and analyse a game in such depth, you know Ratten would just have a blank look on his face and ask for him to explain it again for him. Cut the losses, say thanks for coming and start again. Consistency is something we have not improved on in as long as I remember. How many more years do we have to struggle against Bulldogs, West Coast, St Kilda, Adelaide. Regardless of how they are travelling, they generally drag us to Etihad at some point and we can't work out how to play on a patch of grass under a roof. Is it really that different? I can't for the life of me work it out. Cut the deal and start playing at Visy Park or something.

We have a lack of leaders and Carrots and maybe Scotty are the closest we have to mature players with a bit of mongrel in them. Excuse the suburban language but I bet we never have a player say "Let's fix up these weak pricks" - which plenty of opposition leaders would say about us

7. The following players are called to be played, then dropped each week.
-Lucas
-Thornton
-Russell
-Bower
-McLean
They generally get a game then get rubbished and dropped, only to be demanded back the following week.

Bottom 6 players is extremely important! Geelong lost to Collingwood on Friday because all but one of Collingwood's bottom 6 were better value than Geelongs

8. Eddie Betts will look dangerous for 5 minutes. Kick 4 goals then may as well be off the field. Very much like Rioli at times. Can't remember seeing him at the bottom of a pack unless it was a contested pass into the 50m.

Plays a very difficult posn - more short runs in the middle would help him

9. Garlett will get a few cheap goals, have amazing closing speed and miss 20 tackles. He needs to just slow down a pace or two to steady his technique.

10. Bryce Gibbs will run around by himself at half back and we will lament the wasted skill of his position.

It's one thing to be disappointed if you have a crap team and you lose another game but when you have a decent squad of players and you still play crap or play to a crap gameplan that's what grinds you down. Some of the coaching staff should be on notice. Accepting mediocrity for so long is just that...accepting mediocrity.

Injuries are really hurting us but the bigger worry is whether we have the right coaches to improve a list that is based around high draft selections as a result of years of suffering. Fact is that no premiership in Juddy's time along with the selections we have had = failure