McPhee- What has happened?

[mikeula]

Would have to say tonite was the worst game I have ever seen him play. Couldnt believe it is the same player from 2 years ago. His whole game has fallen apart.

1/ Misjudging marks he used to swallow.

2/ His disposal and decision making is just appaling. He doesnt break the lines like he used to that made him so dangerous

3/ He is far too loose and lets his opponent dominate. Should be manning up more in a terrible side.

Really disappointing effort from him!

 

[ant555]

I was rather bemused with some of his efforts. It seems he cant run straight ahead , he receives the ball and takes off sideways . At one stage tonight he even put on a side step even though there wasnt a Geelong player within 20 meters of him
If he keeps this form up Freo can dam well have him back

 

[S.C[BANKS]]

Players normally have set backs like this, Adam is trying his hardest but mistakes is creeping through his minds, probably because we were down or the just the momentum of the ball. I agree with you McPhee needs to be a leader in our clubs darkest times, not make stupid errors like he showed tonight.

Also i get the feeling he isnt getting that much help from his inexpreinced teammates and Sheeds new No flooding make a ton of space for fowards to lead too also the fact that the Geelong foot skills was great made a lot more harder for any Backman.

 

[red+black]

Unless he asks Sheedy to drop him for a couple weeks, no doubt he won't be dropped. I'm sick of this crap. Solomon should have been dropped, JJ should have been dropped, he had to drop himself, and now McPhee should be dropped. Not forever, but a week or two in the 2nds can only be a positive for all concerned. Sure he might crack the sooks, but if he's a man, if he's a leader, he'll snap out of it, approach the game with renewed vigour and enthusiasm, and tear up the ressies for a couple weeks, then return to the seniors on a wave of a new found confidence.

We'll play the kids, prepare for more pain! Utter utter lies and rhetoric. Why not just be honest and say "Naah we'll play all of the severely underperforming senior players every single game this year and deny our youngsters much needed seniors experience."

To not drop senior players is gutless. Sheedy in his press conference crapped on about hoping McPhee has a bit of a think this week and comes good against Melbourne. Great strategy, just hope for the best with no basis or foundation for such hope. If Sheedy was at Richmond he would never have dropped Bowden, and look what that did for his career, he hasn't looked back. How good was JJ tonight? Much improved. Unfortunately for McPhee, he will play every game from here on, and that can only do more harm than good. Maybe if Damien Martyn had have been dropped when he deserved to be, he might still be playing Test cricket for Australia. But no, his consistent poor performances were ignored, if not condoned. What lesson does acceptance of mediocrity teach?

This repeated failure to take action at Essendon is merely prolonging the pain, and supporters that think that our team on paper next year will be good, that we'll push for finals in 2007, are simply deluding themselves when they should be preparing for much more pain.

Our consistent success over the years has failed to prepare the club and its supporters on how to deal with the current situation, and how to extricate ourselves from it. We don't deserve to make finals, we don't deserve to be successful, we shouldn't expect that we'll just snap out of it because in time Hird and Lloyd will be back in the side. We need to earn success, and we are doing very little, if anything, to turn things around.

 

[ant555]

Players normally have set backs like this, Adam is trying his hardest but mistakes is creeping through his minds, probably because we were down or the just the momentum of the ball. I agree with you McPhee needs to be a leader in our clubs darkest times, not make stupid errors like he showed tonight.

Also i get the feeling he isnt getting that much help from his inexpreinced teammates and Sheeds new No flooding make a ton of space for fowards to lead too also the fact that the Geelong foot skills was great made a lot more harder for any Backman.

If he actually stood near his man like Solly did in the second half on Mooney he may be half a chance of defending. He tries to zone off too much and is continually being caught out because he is 5 meters or so away from his man.
If he keeps trying to defend like he is currently he will end up like Jason Cloke. The opposition will quickly work him out.

 

[wazzabp]

Its time to bite the bullet, lets rest the senior players who are struggling and get the young guys aquainted with life in the AFL.
Our season is shot, so lets use the rest of the season as a groomong period for our potential future leaders.

 

[S.C[BANKS]]

If he actually stood near his man like Solly did in the second half on Mooney he may be half a chance of defending. He tries to zone off too much and is continually being caught out because he is 5 meters or so away from his man.
If he keeps trying to defend like he is currently he will end up like Jason Cloke. The opposition will quickly work him out.

I actually agree although i believe that Sheeds gave Adam the task to provide the run out of the oppisitions foward 50 but still he made countless mistakes like he receives the ball and takes off sideways(like you pointed out)

I just hope Mchpee learn from tonight and watch the tape of this game to better his playing style because at the momment fans are losing hope in him to regain his best and fairest form.

 

[SingaporeSling]

Would have to say tonite was the worst game I have ever seen him play. Couldnt believe it is the same player from 2 years ago. His whole game has fallen apart.

1/ Misjudging marks he used to swallow.

2/ His disposal and decision making is just appaling. He doesnt break the lines like he used to that made him so dangerous

3/ He is far too loose and lets his opponent dominate. Should be manning up more in a terrible side.

Really disappointing effort from him!

I think u will find he had one injury free season his entire career.

This groin is career threatening stuff.

 

[Longy413]

We'll play the kids, prepare for more pain! Utter utter lies and rhetoric. Why not just be honest and say "Naah we'll play all of the severely underperforming senior players every single game this year and deny our youngsters much needed seniors experience."

How many more kids do you want him to play?

Tristian Cartledge is the most experienced fit player that didn't play tonight.
The rest are yet to debut, Jolley, Lee, Lonergan, Lucy, Hocking, Neagle, Firman and O'Keefe.

Where do you fit them in? We need some sort of leadership and structure to bring these kids into. Yes underperforming players need to be dropped, but you can't drop them all at once. Pev, Bolton, JJ have been dropped. Solly and Welsh were but came in as late inclusions, although that's up for debate.

Playings kids for the sake of it is great, but if they aren't ready it can be counter-productive to their development.

McPhee should go back to Bendigo for a week or two. Sheedy's theory has always been you give proven players an extended opportunity to improve their form before dropping them. I guess that works when you're going well, not so when you are losing.

Fact is, we've probably only got another three kids that are deserving of a game at the minute.

 

[linchpin]

McPhee is still a very, very good player.

He has just lacked confidence in himself and those around him. Much the same as Scotty Lucas.

Without the quality of good support, he has been found wanting. It's tough for all players concerned.

Essendon are in a very difficult position. Alot of young kids, who will make it? They must be tested. But not sacrificed. Fletcher and Hirdy are on there last legs. Lloydy missing the rest of the season has just compounded the situation.

Just look forward to the development of the youngsters, it takes time!

 

[nicho_magic]

yes he's not playing as well, but i feel its just a reflection of confidence and the way the whole team is playing at the moment. slot him into the crows line up and theres no doubt he'd be playing somewhere closer to where he use to play

 

[Stargazer]

Its time to bite the bullet, lets rest the senior players who are struggling and get the young guys aquainted with life in the AFL.
Our season is shot, so lets use the rest of the season as a groomong period for our potential future leaders.

A good common sense comment. They should do this with Solly and Bolts and Whoosha from time to time too.
With all these injuries we're incurring - Licha and Laycock will be out for the next 6 weeks, Fletch did a groin and was clearly in strife, and both the Johnsons were pretty knocked about at games end as well - I can't see too many more wins in store for us. Throw caution to the wind and give Jolley a game, plus Lee.
Maybe Carts too, if Ryder can't play. Hille needs backup, Laycock, Bradley and Ryder are all injured.......

 

[Stargazer]

McPhee is still a very, very good player.

He has just lacked confidence in himself and those around him. Much the same as Scotty Lucas.

Without the quality of good support, he has been found wanting. It's tough for all players concerned.

Essendon are in a very difficult position. Alot of young kids, who will make it? They must be tested. But not sacrificed. Fletcher and Hirdy are on their last legs. Lloydy missing the rest of the season has just compounded the situation.Just look forward to the development of the youngsters, it takes time!

I wonder if McPhee recovered fully from last season's op ? I have my doubts.

 

[Darealrath]

If he's not fit, which it looks pretty obvious he isn't, then surely we should rest him so he can be fit for next season. Could really screw his career up.