Where are we at ?

[surpstar]

Any thoughts as to how far the Blues have progressed this year? How much better are we than 2002-03

At least now we are showing some competitiveness, and have probably won enogh gmes this year to suggest progress, but the bad last qtr fall out last week against Freo was a worry

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

It's a tough one. We are fading badly like we did last year and have copped some fearful hidings however I can't see that we are worse than last year.

Walker, Norman, Fisher and Prendergast have all stepped up. Stevens, Scotland, Teague, Johnson, McGrath and De Luca are all great additions while Houla and Lappin have had career best seasons.

These are all players of our future so things looks bright.

 

[stokesy]

We are a lot better.

I just hope we don't fade out these last few rounds.

 

[anonymous Joe]

A wells goddard and tenace short of a good side.

Not trolling just being honest.

 

[Uhumagoo]

Originally posted by anonymous Joe
A wells goddard and tenace short of a good side.

Not trolling just being honest.

Wells, SCHAMMER and Tenace.. thanks anyway.

 

[Cove Cobra]

Originally posted by surpstar
Any thoughts as to how far the Blues have progressed this year? How much better are we than 2002-03

At least now we are showing some competitiveness, and have probably won enogh gmes this year to suggest progress, but the bad last qtr fall out last week against Freo was a worry

When your good; you're very very good but when you are bad you are absolute horrors.

 

[shacka]

we are certainly a more compeditive side

our problem now, and i think a reason for the fade out last week is that we have a few players out and while they are not the greatest players, we simply don't have the stocks to replace them.

Whitnall, Preda, Wiggins, Sporn, Norman, Hulme are all walk-up starters for us. There's also Setanta and Simpson who are there abouts, whilst not forgetting there was Fisher, Hott Lipps and DeLuca on the bench injured.

injuries (or lack thereof) are always a key part of premiership success and as we claw back towards the bottom of the 8, we need our best players fit.

from here on i think it could be a little messy
loss to the Dons by 30
Melbourne may kill us (again)
The E-Girls at subi is a very tough ask
and we should beat the Pies in round 22

8 wins for the year is a good return, the foundations are certainly laid. some skills work over summer should also come in handy.

 

[stokesy]

We are certainly an improvement put it that way.

Just bring on next year.

 

[pumped]

I think that we are missing the real problem. We do have a reasoneable list and Setana and Simpson probably do have a future in addition to some of the ins this year.

However we lack heart as a team. The spirit in our side is as low as that of the Richmonds and Hawthorns. We just dont play with any self belief. Sure in spirts here and there we have but in general we are a team that plays just to get through the games.

Real sides give 100% throughout a game and throughout a season. We need to have a good look at our structure from the coach down. Pagan has tremendous knowledge and ability but his communication to the players is lacking. He too needs to find himself if he is to fulfill his potential at Carlton. Kouts also needs to find some self belief. He has at least 2 more good seasons ahead of him but must believe in himself. Others such as Stevens and Camporeale must also become more focassed on being team leaders.

With a revised attitude we can get back up the ladder. If not we could get the top 3 picks and still stay down.

 

[Effes]

Not enough elite talent

our midfield/team is ranked 16th in the league in terms of disposals and our major ballwinner is 31

I still think we're quite a few years off challenging....

 

[DIG]

I think that we are missing the real problem. We do have a reasoneable list and Setana and Simpson probably do have a future in addition to some of the ins this year.

However we lack heart as a team. The spirit in our side is as low as that of the Richmonds and Hawthorns. We just dont play with any self belief. Sure in spirts here and there we have but in general we are a team that plays just to get through the games.

Real sides give 100% throughout a game and throughout a season. We need to have a good look at our structure from the coach down. Pagan has tremendous knowledge and ability but his communication to the players is lacking. He too needs to find himself if he is to fulfill his potential at Carlton. Kouts also needs to find some self belief. He has at least 2 more good seasons ahead of him but must believe in himself. Others such as Stevens and Camporeale must also become more focassed on being team leaders.

With a revised attitude we can get back up the ladder. If not we could get the top 3 picks and still stay down.

Boys showed plenty of heart on the weekend.

Even if we don't win another game - 8's a decent improvement. I don't want to see any more blowouts or lameass efforts though.

The thing is, those 8 wins could have easily been more. We threw it away vs Roos and Swans, plus we really shouldn't have dropped games to Dogs and even Freo at home.

Also, does any other club only get to play the bottom 4 teams - Crows, Tigers, Hawks, Dogs the once?? Got shafted there by the fixture, especially as we came 15th last year.

Who knows if we'll win more games or not next year but the signs are good - we'll be aiming for the finals in '05 and have more self-belief of actually reaching them than we did going into this year.