Craig's Public Decree: Will it work?

[jenny61_99]

Now I could be wrong on this.... but I have a theory. The last couple of years Craig has downplayed the team. We were never in full rebuild but neither would he admit to being a chance at the flag. And in the end, we fell short - lacking that self-belief to get us over the line when it mattered.

My theory this year is, they've decided to go the opposite way - talk up our chances in an effort to bolster self-confidence. Possible? And will it work?

 

[subaru]

I hate these sort of statements - I realise they have to say something. Still, mmm... the karma train is starting to concern me ...just a tad.

 

[cmndstab]

I'd much rather we talk ourselves up and then fail to live up to it than always talk ourselves down. Confidence starts at the top.

 

[jenny61_99]

I'd much rather we talk ourselves up and then fail to live up to it than always talk ourselves down *** Confidence starts at the top.

*** and achieving it!

 

[Geoffa32]

You can oversell it.

But I feel we as a club have been too meek in the Craigy era. Now that he has found his feet as a coach the club is growing confidence. The logo, whether it has grown on you or not, is a sign of this confidence.

Whether it works or not, we wont know. Not many of us are lucky enough to know how such mental preparation actually affect the playing group. We will however see the results.

 

[afc1991]

Perhaps.

Craigy has been quoted a couple of times in regard to close games, and close finals, saying they are "decided by luck". Theres some truth in that. I can't help wonder though if gets into the players subconcious- we all know our record in such games.

If that is the case, then sure, why not? Pump us up, and it might help the players believe.

 

[Butts_JZZ30]

I think talk yourself down in the media, talk yourself up in the changeroom

 

[Southerntakeover]

Not sure i actually agree with your theory, so probably not worth my commenting on whether or not it will work.

 

[Crow-mo]

work? will what work? that presumes some grand plan, and ulterior motive.

 

[Elite Crow]

The Crow's season wont eventuate to much if the injuries continue, so whatever Craig said will be irrelevant. Given a good run, then Craig and the club are justified in increasing expectations on the players.

 

[subaru]

I think talk yourself down in the media, talk yourself up in the changeroom

Yes ...you're right.

I'd be happier with that.

 

[Vantz]

I think talk yourself down in the media, talk yourself up in the changeroom

I'm sure they would have been doing this over the last few years.

 

[Zvim]

I always prefer let the footy do the talking, you gain confidence in yourself when you win. Beat quality opposition and you know that you are a show.

 

[Butts_JZZ30]

I'm sure they would have been doing this over the last few years.

No doubt, that is the way I like it. Quietly confident but not attention seeking or place undue pressure on the players. The players know they have to perform to hold their place and I'm sure they have very high expectations.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

I think its a good idea for the coach to come out publically and talk up his teams flag chances. This way everyone knows the expectations and is working from the same script. Craig is not silly man, he would know that time is running out. He has two years max left to at least get this team to GF.

He would know that all his AFC love, we need to get better at thats, 19th man and this is the sort of football we want our supporters to get a picture of will count for zero if we have another disappointing finals series. Supporters will (and should) judge him more on results than what he says. It's great to have a coach that loves his club and is incredibly loyal but that want cut it if we fail to get to the big dance. We, the supporter, need to look past all this and mark him on what he does and not what he says.

There would have been a public lynching if G Ayres or R Shaw played and left Massie on Franklin in a final.

 

[jenny61_99]

work? will what work? that presumes some grand plan, and ulterior motive.

Was it not obvious from the OP??? Other people don't seem to have had a problem with the concept.

To spell it out for you (and ST) in simple to understand language: Is he using a psychological approach (talk us up in the media = greater team self belief) to improve our chances, and if so, will it work?

 

[macca23]

I don't think Craig was talking us up just for psychological reasons, Jen.

IMO in previous years he hasn't really believed we could win a flag, rather that we were hopefully building for one in the not so distant future.

This year he obviously believes that we have the players to make the final 4 which does of course give you a genuine chance of winning the flag, which IMO is why he said it.

With all of our injuries, and most players of those outside our best 22 not exactly belting the door down with performances which demand the selectors to pick them, he might well be starting to wonder why he ever said it.

 

[Crow-mo]

Was it not obvious from the OP??? Other people don't seem to have had a problem with the concept.

ah the rolleyes, welcome back old friend.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

I don't think Craig was talking us up just for psychological reasons, Jen.

IMO in previous years he hasn't really believed we could win a flag, rather that we were hopefully building for one in the not so distant future.

This year he obviously believes that we have the players to make the final 4 which does of course give you a genuine chance of winning the flag, which IMO is why he said it.

With all of our injuries, and most players of those outside our best 22 not exactly belting the door down with performances which demand the selectors to pick them, he might well be starting to wonder why he ever said it.

A month to go to the season and people shouldn't panic ......we didn't exactly start last year with a full list either .....Symes and Burton were both out and Moran didn't play

I am happy that Craig has gone on the front foot .......the underdog tag and them against us theories have become oh so old hat and boring

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Now I could be wrong on this.... but I have a theory. The last couple of years Craig has downplayed the team. We were never in full rebuild but neither would he admit to being a chance at the flag. And in the end, we fell short - lacking that self-belief to get us over the line when it mattered.

My theory this year is, they've decided to go the opposite way - talk up our chances in an effort to bolster self-confidence. Possible? And will it work?

Agree 100% with the observation. The last few years even when we've been sitting top four in Round 15, it's always "we just want to win enough games to make the finals" and we have never mentioned top four, home finals or premierships.

Who knows why. Not wanting to appear arrogant or to 'get too far ahead of ourselves' I guess.

This season there has been a conscious change. Top four and premierships are out there.

Maybe Neil thinks that towards the end of last season when our form was good, suddenly people outside the club started talking up our chances. Did we freeze a little? Were we ready to handle that external expectation?

So this year we are going to throw it out there early ourselves. So if we find ourselves around the mark in Round 15/16 and the media come knocking, it won't be anything different for us.

As for whether it works or not, well I'd prefer us to take this approach and not be 'afraid to fail' rather than to play down our chances and be content with being competitive.

 

[Spectemur Agendo]

Now I could be wrong on this.... but I have a theory. The last couple of years Craig has downplayed the team. We were never in full rebuild but neither would he admit to being a chance at the flag. And in the end, we fell short - lacking that self-belief to get us over the line when it mattered.

My theory this year is, they've decided to go the opposite way - talk up our chances in an effort to bolster self-confidence. Possible? And will it work?

Just thought I'd have to comment! Crows are an impresive club. Craig took over in end of 2004 since then he has had an amazing record with a 60% win rate I believe but no premierships. He has never been aggressive in trade week and has never really "tanked". Personally I reckon Crows are a A+ midfielder away and a good Ruck away from winning a premiership. Bernie Vince had a massive year but he has been figured out and this would be a judgement year for him. Because everyone is aware of him. Imagine if you had Nic Naitanui

 

[Southerntakeover]

Bernie Vince had a massive year but he has been figured out and this would be a judgement year for him.

Uh, wtf is the evidence of this?

Being our best player the last two real games we played?

 

[Spectemur Agendo]

Uh, wtf is the evidence of this?

Being our best player the last two real games we played?

Evidence is we in Melbourne now appreciate what he has done and all clubs will be aware of what he can do. Last year I would say he wasn't a household name unless you live in SA. He got fame towards the later part of the season in the world of AFL. Gary Ablett Jr/Sam Mitchell/Adam Goodes/Chris Judd/Dane Swan are what they are because they prove that no one can stop them, can anyone stop Vince? We shall find out this year

 

[Southerntakeover]

Figgered out would suggest that its already been proven that he can be stopped. All evidence thus far is too the contrary. Essendon certainly focussed on him in the final.

 

[Crow-mo]

Bernie Vince had a massive year but he has been figured out

Evidence is we in Melbourne now appreciate what he has done and all clubs will be aware of what he can do.


can anyone stop Vince? We shall find out this year

maybe you should get your story straight?

has he been worked out, or not.