Were We Wrong About Neil Craig???

[maccas_no1]

Im putting my hand up first yes I was wrong, when I heard the announcment that he was coaching the AFC from 2005 onwards I was devestated, but now he has proven me/us wrong

 

[-VC-]

We may well have been. Early signs indicate we were.

 

[birdmanptr]

Im putting my hand up first yes I was wrong, when I heard the announcment that he was coaching the AFC from 2005 onwards I was devestated, but now he has proven me/us wrong

you only got to put your hand up first as i was watching the replay.I was going to post the same thing i was WRONG to he has surprised me as has the team.My only concern is if we get to many injuries there is not a lot to come in at the moment but you cant knock what he is doing at the moment.Its good to see players taking chances and not afraid to stuff up or they will be draged as happened in the past best example Mattner.

 

[adelaide_girl]

Im putting my hand up first yes I was wrong, when I heard the announcment that he was coaching the AFC from 2005 onwards I was devestated, but now he has proven me/us wrong

It looks like i will be dining on humble pie for a while, but i will give it a few more weeks into the season before i start baking.

 

[SBR_04]

I was quite stoked when i heard Neil was coaching us, love the way he is up front and honest with the media aswell.

Him as a coach seems to be working wonders, but as should be done i will wait til about Round 10 to see where were at to give my opinion... and im left hoping it's a great one

 

[macca23]

Im putting my hand up first yes I was wrong, when I heard the announcment that he was coaching the AFC from 2005 onwards I was devestated, but now he has proven me/us wrong

I thought we were selling ourselves short when we appointed Craig after a very dubious process. Certainly not a transparent one, but that's another story.

But at the beginning of this season, I accepted that he WAS now our coach, and we must give him 100% support.

However, I've got nothing but praise for him since the beginning of this pre-season, including the drafting, the focus on skills at pre-season and the development of an attractive game-plan and an alternative plan B when the heat is really on. He has earned it.

More importantly the players obviously believe in him, and players who looked liked certain delists under Ayres are getting game time and performing well.

It's only early days, but to date we can only say "Well done Neil Craig and his new team"

 

[just maybe]

Maybe he has. I will happily eat humble pie if this continues.

He really is passionate about the club, and I think a fair point was made on the radio today about him being uninterested in being a career coach - it was his passion to coach the ADELAIDE football club, which the others may not have had.

I am incredibly impressed with the way he has 'empowered' (I hate that word) the players - the younger and 'backbone' players are really stepping up for him and he appears to have the utter loyalty of the senior players.

He has clearly built a strong, attacking defence which is the heart of his gameplan, and we are using both the corridor AND the wings in a good balance - not tied to either. With some more consistency from our forwards (or just better ones) we will be an incredibly dangerous team.

I think we need a bit longer to judge Craig, but the signs are good. I have a suspicion he has picked an excellent assistant coach squad as well - there has been a marked difference in matchday preparations and match-ups between his coaching performances last season and this season.

Good signs.

 

[maccas_no1]

It looks like i will be dining on humble pie for a while, but i will give it a few more weeks into the season before i start baking.

I reakon after Saturday night bulldogmikes pie will be burnt

 

[outback jack]

Maybe he has. I will happily eat humble pie if this continues.

He really is passionate about the club, and I think a fair point was made on the radio today about him being uninterested in being a career coach - it was his passion to coach the ADELAIDE football club, which the others may not have had.

I am incredibly impressed with the way he has 'empowered' (I hate that word) the players - the younger and 'backbone' players are really stepping up for him and he appears to have the utter loyalty of the senior players.

He has clearly built a strong, attacking defence which is the heart of his gameplan, and we are using both the corridor AND the wings in a good balance - not tied to either. With some more consistency from our forwards (or just better ones) we will be an incredibly dangerous team.

I think we need a bit longer to judge Craig, but the signs are good. I have a suspicion he has picked an excellent assistant coach squad as well - there has been a marked difference in matchday preparations and match-ups between his coaching performances last season and this season.

Good signs.

havent you just joined?? I never heard you criticised NC's appointment?

 

[Crow-mosone]

Im putting my hand up first yes I was wrong, when I heard the announcment that he was coaching the AFC from 2005 onwards I was devestated, but now he has proven me/us wrong

actually I was first

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3111513&postcount=31


it's not the results that are impressive, though undeniably so, it's his success in what he was charged with. to develop and improve the second tier, and no one can deny the improvement in our 2nd tier is 1. remarkable and 2. responsible for our success so far.

so he has not only brought results, he has done it "in the right way".

 

[Damp Squarie]

Its early days yet but he's going OK at the moment.

McCleod to fullback was a top move....provided us with poise in defence with Stiffy gone and a bit more run.

ps I'll gladly eat humble pie if we make the eight.

 

[adelaide_girl]

I reakon after Saturday night bulldogmikes pie will be burnt

You be sure to give my little bulldog friend my best won't you?

 

[just maybe]

havent you just joined?? I never heard you criticised NC's appointment?

You know it's possible to criticise someone without being on a bulletin board? You know, to the general public, your friends, your workmates?

 

[Stiffy_18]

Regardless of the win loss ratio, I am very happy with what he has done so far. He has the courage to throw in 2nd tier players into the guts when the game is in the balance. He knows when to make a move and when to stick with it. His match ups are generally very good and his preparation is second to none.

So far he has been excellent. He has put a lot of faith in the some players that are paying him off big time. Mattner at this time last year and now is a different player. A MUCH better player. Reilly has taken his game to another level, as has Johncock, Doughty, Hudson and even Skipworth.

He is playing those players in positions that they need to be developed in. If he continues doing that I will be happy regardless of the win loss ratio.

 

[maccas_no1]

You be sure to give my little bulldog friend my best won't you?

Dont worry I will

 

[jc67]

I am still a Craig fan
I like the man
Eade would be good
As O'Donnel would
We dont need a broom
Our youngsters will bloom
If Neil gets the chance to teach them.

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2189364&postcount=9
1
3
There were 1 of us at least that thought it was a good move

I'm actually surprised that the main 3 posters here still talk to me, after some of the things I said to them

 

[outback jack]

I thought we were selling ourselves short when we appointed Craig after a very dubious process. Certainly not a transparent one, but that's another story.

But at the beginning of this season, I accepted that he WAS now our coach, and we must give him 100% support.

However, I've got nothing but praise for him since the beginning of this pre-season, including the drafting, the focus on skills at pre-season and the development of an attractive game-plan and an alternative plan B when the heat is really on. He has earned it.

More importantly the players obviously believe in him, and players who looked liked certain delists under Ayres are getting game time and performing well.

It's only early days, but to date we can only say "Well done Neil Craig and his new team"

it is early days thats right, and hes made some selfish decisions regarding the playing group, but the structure and forward delivery has been very impressive the last two wks. This wks win was better than last wks, roos' is such a smart coach, and he was outcoached in long patches today. Its also important to remember that we do have four stars and two superstars that some other teams can only dream of. A repeat of last yrs form wasnt acceptable considering our playing 22, but when we had this poor preseason form most of us were expecting it.

And ayres was a moron, i think too often he let grudges get in the way with perrie and co. When you think about it I don’t think he had a long term plan for our youngsters at all.

 

[SBR_04]

Regardless of the win loss ratio, I am very happy with what he has done so far. He has the courage to throw in 2nd tier players into the guts when the game is in the balance. He knows when to make a move and when to stick with it. His match ups are generally very good and his preparation is second to none.

So far he has been excellent. He has put a lot of faith in the some players that are paying him off big time. Mattner at this time last year and now is a different player. A MUCH better player. Reilly has taken his game to another level, as has Johncock, Doughty, Hudson and even Skipworth.

He is playing those players in positions that they need to be developed in. If he continues doing that I will be happy regardless of the win loss ratio.

Agree, he has great confidence in his younger boys and will use them whenever he feels the need. Them being thrown in at important times when the game is close also gives them experience in these situations. With Craig coaching i think he has brang Reilly's game to a whole new level... well helped him get it there. Reilly is now actually looking alot more intimidating than before, and is starting to look alot more like what he is expected to be... a future Roo.

Neil has a got a long way to go before he will satisfy himself and the Crows squad, he has made this public and is another thing i like him for. Having someone who really does feel strongly about the club there coaching is very important, continue it Craigy

 

[outback jack]

You know it's possible to criticise someone without being on a bulletin board? You know, to the general public, your friends, your workmates?

yep ok, i was just wondering.......

 

[relapse]

Im putting my hand up first yes I was wrong, when I heard the announcment that he was coaching the AFC from 2005 onwards I was devestated, but now he has proven me/us wrong

I must say I totally agree and was 100 percent against him getting the job. So far this year he has proven me wrong, we have an exciting group of younger players coming through and even some of the second tier players are playing really well, the team appears to be very enthusiastic and playing with a real determination and hardness not seen for many years.

I also think that Adelaide has made some good choices with our assistants especially Noble as I have heard that tactics, matchups and gameplans are his forte.

I hope to continue to be proven wrong !!!!!!!!!!

GO CRAIGY

Never thought I would imagine myself saying that

 

[Rave Slave]

NC was the best option all along for the Crows IMO, just the scariest option (due to being relatively untried)

The man, whilst not being proven, knew an awful lot more than either or of Wallace and Eade and he genuinely wanted to coach the Crows. I think that the job was really between NC and Eade from the beginning (I really don't rate Wallet as a coach and he didn't exactly seem that enthused about the idea of coaching the Crows)

Gotta remember in 97 and 98 the Adelaide Crows were renowned for their 3rd and 4th quarter efforts and at the time NC was the fitness coach. He played a big part in our 2 flags.

Too early to judge his coaching and development of the club yet but I boldly predict Neil Craig will be the longest serving coach of the AFC by the time he's finished (big call I know but he certainly has the clubs best interests at heart and he can coach unlike G Ayres)

 

[WaynesWorld19]

I thought we were selling ourselves short when we appointed Craig after a very dubious process. Certainly not a transparent one, but that's another story.

But at the beginning of this season, I accepted that he WAS now our coach, and we must give him 100% support.

However, I've got nothing but praise for him since the beginning of this pre-season, including the drafting, the focus on skills at pre-season and the development of an attractive game-plan and an alternative plan B when the heat is really on. He has earned it.

More importantly the players obviously believe in him, and players who looked liked certain delists under Ayres are getting game time and performing well.

It's only early days, but to date we can only say "Well done Neil Craig and his new team"

As he said

 

[NikkiNoo]

jc67 - did you include me in that list? - I was happy with NC from the start, just not the process so much. I always thought that he would be a brilliant coach, but I must say that his choice of assistants to compliment where he knows his weaknesses are speaks very highly to me. Very Happy so far

 

[relapse]

jc67 - did you include me in that list? - I was happy with NC from the start, just not the process so much. I always thought that he would be a brilliant coach, but I must say that his choice of assistants to compliment where he knows his weaknesses are speaks very highly to me. Very Happy so far

I agree with your points about the assistants, I have heard that Neil Craig is a very good motivator and has the ability to reach the players verbally, I think tactics might be one of his weaknesses, but this has been offset by good choice of assistants. I heard noble was approached by the AFC for his tactical ability and I definately can see a noble influence over the gameplan especially with the flooding but at the end of the day, we can flood all day if we win games I have no issue at all with it.

 

[macca23]

I agree with your points about the assistants, I have heard that Neil Craig is a very good motivator and has the ability to reach the players verbally, I think tactics might be one of his weaknesses, but this has been offset by good choice of assistants. I heard noble was approached by the AFC for his tactical ability and I definately can see a noble influence over the gameplan especially with the flooding but at the end of the day, we can flood all day if we win games I have no issue at all with it.

I'm wrapped with the flooding.

Not because I like flooding as it lessens the game as a spectacle, but in the days when Adolf Ayres was coach, all of our opponents would flood our forward lines and we wouldn't reciprocate, leaving them wide open spaces to attack into. We lost so many games that way.

Craig is doing what's necessary. Flood on occasions - attack on others.