Slowly losing patience

[pistol17]

I have been a freo supporter since our first game in 1995. I am finding it harder and harder to defend our team against all the critism that it being fed at the club. In our entire history we have never been happy with our senior coach. It is time the board at fremantle went away and had a real good think about who they want to be coaching the side. If it is Chris Connolly still then so be it but we need the next coach to be the right one, with the current list we have we should be in premiership mode and not talking about our poor start to the year.

I dont really know who a suitable replacement for CC would be? We have Mark Harvey as an assistant who could be a possibility. Other than him id say maybe John Longmire who has a good reputation at the swans.

Does everyone agree we have to get this coaching decision right this time.

 

[Cameron_K]

Ok I am hurting as much as the next guy but lets get things straight. Who cares if you are copping crap for supporting a team, It is not as if anyone is forcing you to support the club. I love sports, always have and always will and I know supporting a club like Fremantle will be a roller coaster but god damn its a fun one

Second you say since 1995 we have never been happy with the coach. Who is "we"? Is it you? If that is the case then I don't think you will ever be happy with who is at the helm. Everyone is an armchair critic but to honestly believe that the coach is not doing everything in his power get the most out of the side is just naive especially when his job is on the line more so than the players.

I have faith the club can turn it around, sit back and enjoy what will be an interesting ride.

 

[NoobHunter15]

Dont forget that the Dogs are in the same boat as us.

I expect to see them in the final still. Same with the Dockers, our top 4 aspirations may be starting to slim down but we will make the finals this year.

 

[macka6210]

Hey if supporting the dockers was easy would we all want to do it ???? i folllow them for many reasons but the fact that u never know what we are going to do is one of the very best . look back to last year and there was calls to sack the coach remove swabb and everything else short of shut up the doors and wait for summer . but we cant do that we must fight on and be resilant as supporters if its only now that ur un happy what about the times when we won 1 game for the season missed the finals by one or two games which we should have won earlier in the season i say sit down shut up and hang on for the ride cause thats the fun part

 

[Memories]

This is why I wanted to get rid of Connolly after Round 2. We are suffering from the same problem (Mental preparedness/heart/toughness/etc) we have for many years, and Connolly cannot seem to get it right. Better to give Harvey a try for as many rounds as possible this year to see if we should keep him on next year, and if not go for another coach.

With our list you can't just be talking making the top 8, because when we go over our peak, it's going to be another 5 years before we are were we are RIGHT now, at least.

 

[macka6210]

Do you not think that harvey is doing those things already . or is he just sitting back watching his team and coaching reputation go down the tubes come on if connelys at fault the harvey is far behind . is he doiing his job or sitting on his hands

 

[Specs]

This is why I wanted to get rid of Connolly after Round 2. We are suffering from the same problem (Mental preparedness/heart/toughness/etc) we have for many years, and Connolly cannot seem to get it right. Better to give Harvey a try for as many rounds as possible this year to see if we should keep him on next year, and if not go for another coach.

With our list you can't just be talking making the top 8, because when we go over our peak, it's going to be another 5 years before we are were we are RIGHT now, at least.

What did you think of him last year, when you were cheering our boys after winning the semi against Melbourne?

 

[Cameron_K]

Memories believes Harvey is the second coming of Jesus Christ and Connolly is infact Satan.

 

[Roundhouse]

Memories believes Harvey is the second coming of Jesus Christ and Connolly is infact Satan.

Memories is a halfwit newbie headcase, or a poorly disguised Weavil troll. Hard to tell which at the moment.

 

[Memories]

Memories believes Harvey is the second coming of Jesus Christ and Connolly is infact Satan.

I don't know if Harvey is any good, I just realize we can give him a go without destroying the current season since he already knows the players. Unless CC gets us into a GF this year after this start, he is gone, anyone who doubts that is being delusional.

I'd like to see Harvey in a 3/4 season before we commit to a 2-3 year deal with him is all. Otherwise we can go after other coaches.

 

[Memories]

What did you think of him last year, when you were cheering our boys after winning the semi against Melbourne?

I've never really had any loyalty to Connolly, regardless of his performance. The only thing getting us into the prelim were the players (according to PAV/HASLEBY interviews anyhow) - the coach did little, and continues to do that IMO. He might be a great salesman, and he's even very nice on the occasions I have talked to him, so he does put in effort into those areas....

However the whole image of him, this fat, curly hair guy who never seems to get upset or be able to instill any kind of heart into the players shits me to no end. There is a reason people nickname him "cuddles" because he would rather be nice to players instead of smacking them over the back of the head. Footballers are a lot like kids, some of them anyhow, they need discipline and a coach who is going to be a father to them, not just a friend.

Being a coach isn't just all about putting magnets on a board and telling players go here, do this, which is what it appears he does. Lethal had Des sorted, over here Des is like the mafia boss, and I bet he has big influence over a few of his team mates.

 

[Wizard]

Screw Harvey, if we are after a new coach than throw the house at Carey.

 

[Cameron_K]

I've never really had any loyalty to Connolly, regardless of his performance. The only thing getting us into the prelim were the players (according to PAV/HASLEBY interviews anyhow) - the coach did little, and continues to do that IMO. He might be a great salesman, and he's even very nice on the occasions I have talked to him, so he does put in effort into those areas....

However the whole image of him, this fat, curly hair guy who never seems to get upset or be able to instill any kind of heart into the players shits me to no end. There is a reason people nickname him "cuddles" because he would rather be nice to players instead of smacking them over the back of the head. Footballers are a lot like kids, some of them anyhow, they need discipline and a coach who is going to be a father to them, not just a friend.

Being a coach isn't just all about putting magnets on a board and telling players go here, do this, which is what it appears he does. Lethal had Des sorted, over here Des is like the mafia boss, and I bet he has big influence over a few of his team mates.

But several players in the past have said Connolly is different behind closed doors than he is in public. He has been reported to have given the players quite a few sprays that would make Pagan proud. Don't think just because he is one way in public he is the same behind closed doors.

 

[Memories]

But several players in the past have said Connolly is different behind closed doors than he is in public. He has been reported to have given the players quite a few sprays that would make Pagan proud. Don't think just because he is one way in public he is the same behind closed doors.

Can you provide the sources of those several players who said he is different behind closed doors? And why is he this jeckyl and hide? Why not be the same person everywhere?

 

[dockers_bengals]

But several players in the past have said Connolly is different behind closed doors than he is in public. He has been reported to have given the players quite a few sprays that would make Pagan proud. Don't think just because he is one way in public he is the same behind closed doors.

Good point and I have heard that also.


After you lock up the wives fist Wiz

 

[dockers_bengals]

Can you provide the sources of those several players who said he is different behind closed doors? And why is he this jeckyl and hide? Why not be the same person everywhere?

Didnt someone post last week that he gave them an almighty spray at 3/4 time? and a it was reported that he gave them one at training a while back

 

[Memories]

Didnt someone post last week that he gave them an almighty spray at 3/4 time? and a it was reported that he gave them one at training a while back

Yeah maybe you can find sources for the things you are saying rather than just wanting me to believe you. I haven't read anything about Connolly being different behind closed doors and I read most things about the dockers.. so I would appreciate it.

 

[Cameron_K]

Can you provide the sources of those several players who said he is different behind closed doors? And why is he this jeckyl and hide? Why not be the same person everywhere?

Having spoken to several players stlll playing and one marketing manager who has left the club they assured me that what you see from CC in public is not the same guy when dealing with the team.

What does bagging the players in the media achieve honestly? What good will him taking pot shots at their form do?

Also I'm not going to name players names especially when they still play at the club. I'm not in the position to put their names to something they said in private.

 

[Memories]

Having spoken to several players stlll playing and one marketing manager who has left the club they assured me that what you see from CC in public is not the same guy when dealing with the team.

What does bagging the players in the media achieve honestly? What good will him taking pot shots at their form do?

Also I'm not going to name players names especially when they still play at the club. I'm not in the position to put their names to something they said in private.

Yeah I understand.......

I speak to players, some who are still at the club who say they have no respect for Connolly and wish he was removed last year. I'm not in the position to name them, because it was in private.

I think at least showing SOME KIND OF PASSION in public is required just so there is no "soft" stigma associated with our team. Do you hear people calling worsfold/roos/matthews anything soft? AFL is a violent sport played by men with egos. To think it doesn't take a hit on their pride when Australia is making soft jokes about our coach and team is a bit ludicrous. If they were making jokes about how hard our coach is they wouldn't care.

 

[Freo95]

Relax guys, CC nearly took us into the grand final last year.
Atleast he has taken us into a few finals games, more than i can say about any other of our past coaches.

And you can blame the media for building up the expectations.
One game at a time, don't worry, they'll click.

 

[Undertaker]

I love our club as much as the next supporter and nothing would give me more pleasure than to see the boys win a premiership, but I doubt the current squad is good enough to do it.
We have some very good “A” grade players ( Pav,Belly,Haselby etc) but our second string players do struggle. The question I ask myself is, how many of the following would get a game with any other AFL club.
Walker
Cook
McManus
Parker
M Carr
Gilmour
Dodd
Peake
Webster
Longmuir (Injury prone)
Headland

Answer = ??? not many if any.

I know they are all quality people and give their all for the club but perhaps they are not the ones to take us to a premiership.

 

[Purple Passion]

I love our club as much as the next supporter and nothing would give me more pleasure than to see the boys win a premiership, but I doubt the current squad is good enough to do it.
We have some very good “A” grade players ( Pav,Belly,Haselby etc) but our second string players do struggle. The question I ask myself is, how many of the following would get a game with any other AFL club.
Walker
Cook
McManus
Parker
M Carr
Gilmour
Dodd
Peake
Webster
Longmuir (Injury prone)
Headland

Answer = ??? not many if any.

I know they are all quality people and give their all for the club but perhaps they are not the ones to take us to a premiership.

A bit harsh on these players don't you think all rated by much of the footy world

 

[dominguez]

Can you provide the sources of those several players who said he is different behind closed doors? And why is he this jeckyl and hide? Why not be the same person everywhere?

Dermott Brereton commented on Friday night footy a couple of years ago after one of our woeful Friday night performances that Connolly gave the players the biggest spray he had ever heard when he was down in the rooms after the game. I have no doubt that Connolly knows how to play bad cop, but I think he was too soft for too long and some players have developed bad habits.

 

[E Shed]

There are 3 things that worry me about CC.

1. He never makes a statement by dropping players to the 2's. After some of the lame efforts by star players in our matches over the last few years players like Headland, Medhurst and many others should have been dropped and not brought back till they got 40 possies in the wafl 3 weeks in a row. 2nd tier players don't get a chance and the top picks get complacent. He talks tough at the press conference but it almost never follows through at the selection table.

2. He never rolls the dice on match day. When we are going down anyway why not move some players around.

3. I’m not convinced the players respect him and play for him. So many players leave and then magically improve at other clubs while others come back with big reps and then slide into mediocrity with us.

Having said all that we played some of the most magic footy ever last year and he must have had something to do with that. It is just so frustrating when we are inconsistent and temperamental and lose games we should win. We are capable of incredible exhilaration and incredible frustration. That's Freo I suppose.

I hope we get a wriggle on soon but if we don’t I expect we will find out soon enough if another coach will get better results.

 

[pistol17]

I just think the club should not renew CC's contract. This is why i originally started the thread. I just dont think he has shown he is capable of leading the side to a grand final. We got close last year bu honestly are we really happy with the 2 finals appearance since CC has been in charge.

IMO we need to start looking for a replacement, if we pick up our game and make the finals and do well then that may save CC but i cant see how he will do enough this year to get his contract renewed.