Next Coach - When and Who?

[leons magic]

This thread is a massive overreaction. Losing to your arch rivals Collingwood is always going to be disappointing but calling for Brett Rattens head is not the answer.

At the end of the day Carlton are seventh on the ladder and barring a disaster will finish in the finals for the second year running. People tend to forget the same side that got beaten by Collingwood, dispatched both of last years grand finalists with relative ease. And although this is frustrating as supporters because you know what the side can do at its best, there is no need to be so pessimistic.

IMO i believe where Carlton is on the ladder and where they are likely to finish is about right. You have a young core group of players, injuries to Kreuzer and Mclean haven't helped. At the beginning of the season you lost Brendan Fevola a coleman medalist and you have found him difficult to replace as a key target, a player of his ilk and ability not only straightens up Carltons structure it gave you a match winner but Fev being Fev did some stupid things, the club made the right call, he had to go. Henderson is young and will take time, Waite is a good option but you need two of him one for attack and defence. If you can find or develop a key forward target it changes the whole dynamics of the forward line i.e. when Setanta was in form how much better did the forward set up look when Betts etc were not the main targets but were able to crumb and cause havoc.

The midfield i wouldn't worry about too much, Judd is a superstar, Murphy should become one, a fit Mclean would help. Simpson is having a stella season whilst Lucas, Grigg etc should come on down the track, along with Yarran who i personally think will eventually play a midfield/forward type role ala Alan Didak.

Down back Jamison has suprised me, Bower will show his worth with continuity of play and i think the young half backs in Gibbs, Russell and Armfield are starting to settle in their positions, with the latters pace really giving Carlton something out of defence. For insurance purposes a key back is needed, and a versatile defender in the Harry O mould sure up the defence.

The reasons for Carltons poor performance of late is due to lack of intensity, when Carlton like most other teams are at their best they are tackling ferociously, playing on at all costs and getting the ball inside 50 as quick as possible to create mayhem for backlines with the likes of Betts, Yarran and Garlett. To an extent i guess you could say that good coaches get that sort of intensity out of their players, but im sure Ratten is doing his utmost to get this style of play back. He has proved at times this year with some massive wins that he is able to stimulate the group and produce this type of attack on the footy. My only real criticism of Ratten would be his use of Gibbs. Gibbs would best serve the team with his footskills as a midfielder. I do not rate Bryce as highly as some do, his attack on the ball at times is questionable and i don't know if you can be taught how to be hard at it which may equate to him becoming a good footballer rather than a great one. In saying this i believe he needs to be played in a position which suits his style of play where he can be most effective, and i believe this is as an a attacking midfielder if you like - where he can pin point passes inside 50 and become dangerous himself rather than his current position where he is played to put players other than himself in attacking positions if that makes any sense.

I believe Brett Ratten will end up being a good coach, many people wrote off Bomber Thompson prior to his current outstanding record, i think as supporters we are quick to judge but given time with the list of youngsters Ratten has at his disposal i wouldn't be ruling anything out in the future. Ratten like his list is young and relatively inexperienced, both can only get better. He is the same coach who im sure you were all pleased about when you beat the likes of Geelong and St Kilda who haven't lost many in the last few years.

I rated Ratten very highly as a player and have heard good things about his time as assistant coach at the Dees where internally the players and coaches rated him and his knowledge of the game extremely highly. Give Carlton time, i know its hard and frustrating but sacking the coach and replacing him is not the answer at this stage, i believe keeping him on for the future is the way to go. The first step carlton have to take is to try and get that intensity back. Following this they must build on the current list in coming off season, adding depth and fixing holes in the forward line and defence should be number one priority through drafting and trading which will help this young group evolve into what they have shown glimpses of this season. I could be right and i have more chances of being wrong about this, but sometimes given patience things turn out alot better than you think.

I hope i have provided unbiased objective opinions of some value.

Before anyone asks me, yes i do go for collingwood not carlton, and no im not Brett Ratten nor am i related to him lol

 

[Gozz]

Despite the fabulous result against essendon, Ratten should still be left on notice. The real test is whether he can get the boys up two weeks in a row and not let them be big headed.

We all know this situation too well when we have a fantastic win the players get ahead of themselves and put up a shocker the week after.

Next week is the true test whether Ratten and our boys are up to it.

 

[Dramoth]

How about we go through a professional process and hire someone on merit not just someone who is best mates with the el Presidentee.

Ratts did his job he bought back the spirit, however the game plan and player development has notfollowed. His role is done we now need someone to take us to the next level.

Just a quick note... Pagan before he came to Carlton was rated as a top coach... he had a fantastic list and did really well with it.

Just remembering... didnt he used to be the reserves or u19's coach at the Poo's? Didnt he help develop all the players who eventually took him to being a dual premiership coach?

Ratten is a developing coach with a young developing list. I would like to see where we are in a couple of years with Ratts at the helm.

 

[mediumsizered]

Despite the fabulous result against essendon, Ratten should still be left on notice. The real test is whether he can get the boys up two weeks in a row and not let them be big headed.

We all know this situation too well when we have a fantastic win the players get ahead of themselves and put up a shocker the week after.

Next week is the true test whether Ratten and our boys are up to it.

There is no doubt the players have to back this effort up next week, but what there is no doubt about is the myth that Ratts had lost the players. You don't get a performance like we got tonight if the coach has lost the players. Just ask Denis Pagan.

 

[Dramoth]

There is no doubt the players have to back this effort up next week, but what there is no doubt about is the myth that Ratts had lost the players. You don't get a performance like we got tonight if the coach has lost the players. Just ask Denis Pagan.

Damned straight... If Ratts had lost the players, it would have been a 100 point loss tonight to the bummers, and Ratts would have been on his way out the door.

The results over the last couple of months have been more about confidence than anything else. The players believed all the hype getting tossed around in the papers and thought the club was more advanced than we were... then a couple of losses later and the players are struggling a bit.

Tonight will help with the confidence and bring it back again... a win against Bitchmond next week will continue to bolster the confidence leading into our final 2 games against the Pussies and the Shockers. If we can win against the Geebungs, then I reckon that we are a good chance to roll the Shockers.

But if the players were against the coach, then all 3 of our remaining matches would be 100 point losses.

 

[Blue Bawls]

Who here would have thought to play Robbo on Feltcher? Brilliant lateral thinking.

 

[Stig O'Hara]

Sack 'em all.

Tonight was always on the cards.