Why doesn't Houlihan play forward?

[Stig O'Hara]

Trying to be positive about this bloke,
and after watching him back and in the centre,
i think the only place this bloke can play is forward.

The game that still sticks in most peoples minds is the Essendon game,
think he kicked 3, certainly the sealer (and the obigatory chainsaw),
and won the game.

I can't see how he play down back,
as he doesn't limit goals, limit his opponent,
or be an attacking defender.

Lets face it,
2-3 goals from him,
is worth far more than 25 junk stats,
and goals kicked on him.

He can't play anywhere else so i ask, Why?

 

[gandaal]

Because we haven't got anyone to replace him in the midfield?

 

[TheBlueblood]

more like why doesnt anyone play forward???

have to ask pagan for the answer to that

 

[HBF]

Have to agree with you there. I do like him up forward and imo does have the ability to kick 1-2 goals a game. This would take some pressure off Fev and the likes.

 

[stokesy]

Whitnall should play forward this week against Adelaide for the whole game.

Play Houlihan forward as much as possible too.

Lets be attacking Pagan, not defensive.

 

[AlecDuncan]

Trying to be positive about this bloke,
and after watching him back and in the centre,
i think the only place this bloke can play is forward.

And who's going to get the ball to him?

 

[BlueBelle]

Whitnall should play forward this week against Adelaide for the whole game.

Play Houlihan forward as much as possible too.

Lets be attacking Pagan, not defensive.

OMG finally somebody else has pointed out the obvious!! Why hasn't Pagan realised this??? (and they call him a professional! pffffffffft! what a joke!)

 

[Snoozer]

12 touches and 1-2 goals per game from Houlihan would be loads more valuable than his 25 touches across half back. The only time he is damaging is when he's forward of centre, passing to key forwards.

 

[BlueBelle]

12 touches and 1-2 goals per game from Houlihan would be loads more valuable than his 25 touches across half back. The only time he is damaging is when he's forward of centre, passing to key forwards.

Here here!

 

[linchpin]

Why dont we just play our starting 18 forward of centre?

I think we need to get Bower into the side. Has he fully earned it yet?

Then again, do T-Bird and Saddington fully deserve there spots at the moment either?

 

[BlueBelle]

Why dont we just play our starting 18 forward of centre?

I think we need to get Bower into the side. Has he fully earned it yet?

Then again, do T-Bird and Saddington fully deserve there spots at the moment either?

T-Bird has been OK the past couple of weeks but yes I see your point. He is never consistent but unfortunately we do not have anybody with relevant experience to replace him at the moment.

Saddington is useless if you ask me!

 

[av76]

Houlihan should be played forward of centre. Better to have guys like Carazzo, McGrath, Scotland, Walker (and even Wiggins if he stays in the side) playing more defensive midfield roles. We don't really have an abundance of riches to choose from but I think some guys are definitely not being played to their strengths. I also think Simpson is better suited as an attacking wingman than as a defender/tagger.

As far as defence goes, from posts by Sydney swans supporters, Saddington plays his best footy on the wing not as a tall defender, which seem to be what we want from him. Thornton is more of a mobile HBF (perfect for Tarrant types but no-one bigger).

I just hope Livo and Hartlett recover and hit some form to play on the last line of defence. Also I still think Bannister could do a job back there...it might not sound like a strong defence but I prefer to have players being played where they feel most confident and told to let loose and play their natural game.

 

[SurreyBlue]

Houlihan should be played forward of centre. Better to have guys like Carazzo, McGrath, Scotland, Walker (and even Wiggins if he stays in the side) playing more defensive midfield roles. We don't really have an abundance of riches to choose from but I think some guys are definitely not being played to their strengths. I also think Simpson is better suited as an attacking wingman than as a defender/tagger.

 

[murphster]

Houlihan should be played forward of centre. Better to have guys like Carazzo, McGrath, Scotland, Walker (and even Wiggins if he stays in the side) playing more defensive midfield roles. We don't really have an abundance of riches to choose from but I think some guys are definitely not being played to their strengths. I also think Simpson is better suited as an attacking wingman than as a defender/tagger.

As far as defence goes, from posts by Sydney swans supporters, Saddington plays his best footy on the wing not as a tall defender, which seem to be what we want from him. Thornton is more of a mobile HBF (perfect for Tarrant types but no-one bigger).

I just hope Livo and Hartlett recover and hit some form to play on the last line of defence. Also I still think Bannister could do a job back there...it might not sound like a strong defence but I prefer to have players being played where they feel most confident and told to let loose and play their natural game.

Agree with most of what you said but Scotland needs to get forward of centre as well, Pagans mind set is defensive tripe, on the rare occasions when he does rotate the midfield he either sends them to the bench or back into defence he needs to rotate players like Stevens , Houlihan, Scotland and the like through the forward line and give players like Betts, Wiggins, McGrath, Walker, Blackwell, Simpson extended runs in the middle not all at once but one or two at a time just to give them experience and shake the tags on players like Houlihan, Stevens and Scotland or exploit the tags in the forward line where these players can crumb the packs and even take marks on the lead.

Pagans problem is he goes into games with plan A and no plan B or C he just leaves the status quo in place whether they are winning or losing instead of shaking things up and trying players in other positions, i mean try anything try something, throw Fish when he is playing into the midfield put Waite in there to throw his weight around, just give us something to get excited about, go small in the Forward line, put Thornton on the wing any flucking thing to break up the rhythm of the opposition, don't just sit there and hope for the best or make plans for next week be flucking versatile in your planning make changes give players there head and tell them to go nuts, let Walker run free and tear up the opposition with his pace, get them to run in waves and support there team mates instead of worrying about covering there own asses, play enjoyable footy and don't stifle there instincts with a defensive mind set, have a competition between the defenders to see who can kick the most goals for the year, a comp to see who can lay the most tackles in a game, make it fun for the young players let them enjoy there footy. Just try something else and be proactive.

 

[BlueBelle]

Agree with most of what you said but Scotland needs to get forward of centre as well, Pagans mind set is defensive tripe, on the rare occasions when he does rotate the midfield he either sends them to the bench or back into defence he needs to rotate players like Stevens , Houlihan, Scotland and the like through the forward line and give players like Betts, Wiggins, McGrath, Walker, Blackwell, Simpson extended runs in the middle not all at once but one or two at a time just to give them experience and shake the tags on players like Houlihan, Stevens and Scotland or exploit the tags in the forward line where these players can crumb the packs and even take marks on the lead.

Pagans problem is he goes into games with plan A and no plan B or C he just leaves the status quo in place whether they are winning or losing instead of shaking things up and trying players in other positions, i mean try anything try something, throw Fish when he is playing into the midfield put Waite in there to throw his weight around, just give us something to get excited about, go small in the Forward line, put Thornton on the wing any flucking thing to break up the rhythm of the opposition, don't just sit there and hope for the best or make plans for next week be flucking versatile in your planning make changes give players there head and tell them to go nuts, let Walker run free and tear up the opposition with his pace, get them to run in waves and support there team mates instead of worrying about covering there own asses, play enjoyable footy and don't stifle there instincts with a defensive mind set, have a competition between the defenders to see who can kick the most goals for the year, a comp to see who can lay the most tackles in a game, make it fun for the young players let them enjoy there footy. Just try something else and be proactive.

Agreed. How do we get Pagan to see this????????

 

[mikeythemoocow]

dont rush him, we've only just stopped playing kick it to Carey

 

[as0l0]

Saddington is useless if you ask me!

I have hated watching Saddington play for us, but I have a feeling (just watching him) that something is about to 'click' with him, maybe in the next 2-4 weeks.