What are we going to do with Saddo?

[Barry Schneider]

He is not strong enough to play on a key forward.The way he played on Carey was madness.Trying to go body to body with a bloke twice as strong instead of playing off him and coming over the top was stupid,although I found it amusing that an umpire thought Saddo was strong enough to throw Carey to the ground and awarded Carey a free kick for an obvious dive.

I digress,should Roos persist with him as a backman but get him to use his leap and pace as a way of overcoming stronger opponents.Leaping Leo should tell him how to play bigger stronger opponents.He was able to get the ball to ground and then he killed them.

Playing like Jason Cloke, loose man in the backline would suit him perfectly but I think Roos prefers man on man plus he is one of the tallest backs.
If we don't get a decent defender he might have to stay in the backs as there is no alternative but he must play smarter.
If he doesn't play as a key backman where would he play?

If we do get a decent big backman (I don't know how) then I would put Kennelly into the midfield as a running receiver who can run the ball into the forward lineand replace him with Saddo who could match a flanker for pace and be too good in the air.

Am I being to harsh on Saddo.I sit next to his biggest critic everygame who points out all his errors so I might be over critical.
What does everyone else think?

[Bleed Red Blood]

Im with you about Kennelly in the midfield but Saddo he just needs to work on his muscles a bit and get smarter Im not saying hes going to be able to play on a Wayne Carey type he just needs to work on this issue.

We do have KPP like LRT, Dempster and Heath James ready to help out.

[Ryan Bomford]

We must persist with Saddo down back. Even though it seems like he's been with the Swans forever, he's still young and will eventually bulk up.

Still a great mark, but I'd like to see the Swans put him on the wing from time to time. He looks his best when he is first receiver coming out of defence feeding the midfielders with that lovely, looping hand pass.

[robbieando]

Waiting for Saddo to bulk up is like waiting for us to win the premiership. We think it can happen, but we can't be so sure that it will.

I think Saddo would be well used as the loose man in defence. He can't take the Browns, Carey and Tredreas of this world, but he can take others. I reckon that we put him in a back pocket and use him on the 3rd or 4th forward.

Some of you would like to see him on a Back Flank or Wing, but at the moment, we have very good players already there in Barry, Kennelly, Maxfield and Willo

[sharpie]

I would imagine next year we'll see Kennelly move to a wing, where he will really be able to use his pace. That free's up one HB flank for Saddo. If necessary, he has the pace and height it match it with any 3rd tall forward that the opposition has, but taking #1 or #2 is out of his range. I doubt he will ever have the body for it. As with all of our defenders this year, he was playing out of his depth. It was just that Bolton and Schauble stood up magnificently.

[NMWBloods]

Saddo simply needs to do strengthening work over the summer. He is tall enough to be able to play a KP in the backline, but not strong enough. He is taller than either Leppitsch or Michael or Bradshaw or Scott Lucas and not much shorter than Fletcher, but much slighter than all. He needs to add about 4-5kg in muscle. After all, Michael was not a huge strong fellow when he went to Brisbane, and was not the outstanding backman he is now.

If he cannot do that, then I'm not sure what to do with him. Probably HBF if Kennelly goes to the wing. He will need to reinvent himself quite a lot if we wants to play in the midfield. He could be handy in the forward line, but he's an extra there, rather than a necessity.

[motorace_182]

His bulk can do with a bit of improvement over the pre-season, but it is not size that is the major issue. It is style. His cureent playing style do not suite a genuine CHB or HBF, more a CHF or HFF. He always tries to float over and take a grab in a pack situation when, as shown by Mal Micheal and Leppitsch, the punch is the safest option. No screwing around, let it hit the ground for our runners to get and clear out.
The most work he needs to be doing for the next few months is on his style and to stop trying to look like a superstar and play no-nonsense footy.

[NMWBloods]

Yes, I agree that he needs more discipline in the back line. He needs to learn when to punch and when to mark - something Dunkley was a master at, and yet Saddo seems to get backwards half the time (and at crucial times too!!).

If he can't fix this problem then he becomes a HFF most likely. I like the idea of a lot of options in the forward line, but I'm not sure how well it will work. Also, I think he would need to improve his kicking as he does not appear to be the most reliable or confident shot at goal.

[omnipotent]

Being saying all year that he is the most overrated on our list. One of the most overrated in the whole competition. Notice we didn't especially miss him either when he was out. Too slow for a flank, not strong enough for key position, not the greatest kick in the world. If you get something half decent for him, trade him before his market value is zilch.

[undy]

Originally posted by omnipotent
Being saying all year that he is the most overrated on our list. One of the most overrated in the whole competition. Notice we didn't especially miss him either when he was out. Too slow for a flank, not strong enough for key position, not the greatest kick in the world. If you get something half decent for him, trade him before his market value is zilch.

Saying it once was enough, so you can save us October, November and December. Do you sit next to Barry ? Ignore this year, as he has been injured and unfit (and out of touch as a result). He got bugger-all time in the ressies on both occasions that he was injured.

In previous seasons he's been a solid player for us, providing a fair bit of run from the back-line and stopping the no-2 forward on the opposition. He kicks pretty well, marks very well and has been a fundamental part of our defence for a few years.

Despite his poor form this year (and some of the comments on this thread) I thought he looked as though he had bulked up a bit this season - especially his arms. I hope we keep him.

[Bear]

He has done a LOT of bulking up over the last 18 months, but this did not change a thing

There is more to playing as a key defender that bulk, much, much more

it is about timing and knowing where to stand, as well as balance

much of this comes naturally and Saddo will never have it

People, he will never be a key position player, simple as that! We have been arguing this point for years.

He is a good player but NOT a KPP. He is a 'third man in' type and a link man - a luxury you can afford when you have a top team with sufficient key position players...

[BAM_BAM]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
Yes, I agree that he needs more discipline in the back line. He needs to learn when to punch and when to mark - something Dunkley was a master at, and yet Saddo seems to get backwards half the time (and at crucial times too!!).

that was my thought exactly. He has a very good mark and the height and athleticism to fly above the pack. The problem is when to do it.

And as Undy mentioned, He did bulk up this past summer, hopefully he will do some more over this one and take some time watching the videos and learning from past experience.

[Plugger46]

When are people going to realise that Saddo is overrated?

Every summer the club works on strengthening his muscles, but it NEVER works, and it NEVER will. We've tried that too many times, it's just his build. He continually plays on key forwards and gets an absolute towelling. Where have people been this year? I admit he's had injuries this season, but it's been exactly the same in previous years. When he moves off the key forwards, he's not even that creative.

I would like to see him traded because we would get a good player in return (as everyone seems to rate him). But as he signed a new deal this year, I doubt he will be going anywhere. The only spot that I can see for him is a wing or HFF role.

Because of the fact that he was a high draft pick, and he was the only one Eade played right from the word go (with virtually no reserves time), people have always rated him. He is not that good folks.

He is not a bad kick, and has a good pair of hands, but that's about all he has got going for him.

[sharp9]

Originally posted by Plugger46
When are people going to realise that Saddo is overrated?

Every summer the club works on strengthening his muscles, but it NEVER works, and it NEVER will.

Big statement, Plugger. I've been thinking along similar lines, but have decided that those words are going to come around and bite you big time. I assume you hope for the same thing. I just get a feeling, this year Jude, Goodesy, The Captain, Leaping and Pebbles really took a big step from good players to untouchables. Next year it will Tiger, Fossy Bear, Saddo, Doyle and Little Nicky.

Theres' my prediction - and I'm sticking to it.

[liz]

Originally posted by sharp9
I just get a feeling, this year Jude, Goodesy, The Captain, Leaping and Pebbles really took a big step from good players to untouchables. Next year it will Tiger, Fossy Bear, Saddo, Doyle and Little Nicky.

Pebbles shows promise but he's hardly done enough to elevate himself into the "untouchables" category. Tiger, Davis and Fosdike all had better, more consistent seasons than him this year and are all more important to the side, at the moment IMO.