Just an observation

[tiggsy]

Over the last year or so we've had plenty of posters saying how they'd be happy with the Crows having a lean period or being inconsistent in their form if only they would play the kids. We will happily take short term pain for the long term benefit we might derive from playing some of our young guys. So here we are, with 5 players having less than 11 games and another 5 with less than 50 games and we're inconsistent. And now people are calling for Craig's head. Weird.

Last week sucked but I thought some of the passages of play today were pretty exciting. I reckon we'll only get better as our young guys mature. I seem to recall lots of Geelong supporters wee calling for Bomber Thomson's head a few years back. They must feel like idiots now (though I bet most of them would deny they had ever said such a thing).

 

[WALL-e]

Much easier for people to say than do.

We're playing the kids.

We tried a more offensive game.

I'm not upset with where we are.

 

[pjcrows]

It's not weird at all. It's Adelaide.

 

[Geoffa32]

I was thinking this whilst we were losing.

2009 is not about making the finals, although you have to go into each game with a winning mindset, it is about getting 20 games into our kids around the 20 and under age. Not gifting them games, ie Sellar, but meaningfull game time.

Thats why although we lost I am not mad. Walker kicked 4 goals, Knights made a good return. Otten continues to show he is an AFL player. Patty continues to show us why Roo gave him his number.

 

[thirtytwo]

Over the last year or so we've had plenty of posters saying how they'd be happy with the Crows having a lean period or being inconsistent in their form if only they would play the kids. We will happily take short term pain for the long term benefit we might derive from playing some of our young guys. So here we are, with 5 players having less than 11 games and another 5 with less than 50 games and we're inconsistent. And now people are calling for Craig's head. Weird.

Last week sucked but I thought some of the passages of play today were pretty exciting. I reckon we'll only get better as our young guys mature. I seem to recall lots of Geelong supporters wee calling for Bomber Thomson's head a few years back. They must feel like idiots now (though I bet most of them would deny they had ever said such a thing).

Agree with this to some extent.
However, for what its worth, my opion of Craigs coaching at the moment would be he is far to stubborn and rigid in regards to the game plan.
The zone was completely inneffective during the third quarter today, the dogs just ran straight through us. When this happens why could we not revert to man on man and at least make every ball movement a contest? Frustrates me no end to see opposition players continually left with space and time. A plan B to slow the onslaught and gain some control back is what we need. The definintion of a fool is to keep trying the same thing and expecting to get a different result. Is Neil Craig a fool? Definetly not, but he also has too see when the game is getting away we need to change it up a little. Just about every game this year we have been monstered in at least one quarter and this has generally cost us, nothing has been done from the coaches box to stop the dominance oppposition teams have had over us. We are far to predictable.
Neil obviously has faith in the game plan, my biggest worry is do the players also have this faith when things aren't working. Are our boys enjoying their footy? Cos there is times whan they don't look too enthused at all.
However offensively we have much upside I reckon, improve the skills and cut down turnovers which will happen once we have got more games into some of these young blokes, and we will become a lot more potent.
Should Neil Craig go? No, but he has to be far for flexible with his plans on game day.

 

[tiggsy]

I do hate watching us lose. Most people on this board would know more Power supporters than they want to, I know I do. And it sucks to put up with their rubbish when the Crows aren't flying. But I do think we're headed in the right direction and am happy with where Craig is taking us for now.

That doesn't mean I'd accept a 5 year plan a la Terry Wallace.

 

[jo172]

Happens everywhere.

Most Carlton fans seemed to be happy to tank for 5 years.

But **** me would they still spit chips after a loss

Wait till Tuesday after everyone has a few deep breaths and realises that it was one shitty quarter of footy.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

Much easier for people to say than do.

We're playing the kids.

We tried a more offensive game.

I'm not upset with where we are.

I'm not upset with where our kids are heading. However, I'm frustrated with the form of some of our players in the 24 and above age bracket. These are the players that should be stepping up so the loss of Macca/Goodwin/Edwards is relatively painless. IMO some are going backwards fast.

 

[WALL-e]

There probably going backwards, or appearing to be, because they are taking on harder roles and tags. No longer will they get the easy stuff.

 

[Coopers]

It's perfectly natural.

I am PISSED when we lose, especially like today.

But we need to play the kiddles.

 

[Vantz]

Much easier for people to say than do.

We're playing the kids.

We tried a more offensive game.

I'm not upset with where we are.

I agree totally. Many people on this bored overrated our chances. We are sitting about where i thought we would.

 

[johnnypanther]

Over the last year or so we've had plenty of posters saying how they'd be happy with the Crows having a lean period or being inconsistent in their form if only they would play the kids. We will happily take short term pain for the long term benefit we might derive from playing some of our young guys. So here we are, with 5 players having less than 11 games and another 5 with less than 50 games and we're inconsistent. And now people are calling for Craig's head. Weird.
.

Providing the people calling for Craig's head are not the same ones that said they will accept short-term pain whilst playing the kids, then there is no problem.

However, i suspect the the great majority of supporters have no real understanding of how lists have to be managed, kids developed etc etc in today's era of salary caps etc.

 

[cmndstab]

Providing the people calling for Craig's head are not the same ones that said they will accept short-term pain whilst playing the kids, then there is no problem.

Primarily they are, though.

 

[rooboy]

None of us like losing. But there were signs against the Bullies that we are making progress. The young players are looking very good, and we started to play quicker footy and get it into the forwards much better.
It seems that this is going to be a very frustrating year for us supporters, as the coaching staff and players change old habits and get games under their belts, in the case of the young players.
I hope we do keep improving on this play on style, and players stop turning the ball over, as I can't afford to continue to throw things through the plasma.

 

[Campbell's Chunky]

I get annoyed, but I'm happy with the progression of nearly all our youngsters.

I'm not against not making finals and playing kids, infact I enjoyed yesterdays game.

We probably could play a more experienced group and make finals...but then what? A first round knock out.

Who wants that?

 

[Mong]

Great thread. You are so right tiggsy. It makes you wonder what it would be like if we had a few years like Melbourne or Richmond have had recently.

I'm as supportive as ever of my club. I'm happy with Craig and the way he's developed our list. Not for a minute do I think we'll come out of this as good as Geelong are now but I do think, like Geelong, we will see it all come together in a few years.

Right now I am disillusioned. Not with my team, but with its supporter base. Maybe it's just the vocal minority, maybe it's more prevalent with that. Whatever it is, just accept that Crows fans are imbeciles, and support the team. It's a good feeling when you learn to accept it.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Agree with this to some extent.
However, for what its worth, my opion of Craigs coaching at the moment would be he is far to stubborn and rigid in regards to the game plan.
The zone was completely inneffective during the third quarter today, the dogs just ran straight through us. When this happens why could we not revert to man on man and at least make every ball movement a contest?

The zone only comes into effect after we have sent the ball inside our forward fifty. You need time and a break in play in order to set it up. The inside 50's were 22-5 against us in the 3rd quarter!

The zone was barely implemented. We were man on man for the majority of the 3rd quarter.