Saddo to be dropped.

[Reggi]

If it wasn't for how he looked in possession, you could put a different spin on it but I wouldn't.

From what you could see he was running with Pavlich in the midfield who he seemed to contain. If that was his job then he went ok.

But with the ball in his hands he looked like a very unconfident player.

[penga]

Originally posted by Charlie
Now we have Mathews, C Bolton, Kennelly, Barry, Schauble, Crouch, Powell and Rogers competing for six spots down back.

dont you mean 5 spots, or does james still have to compete?

[Captain]

I'm in favour of playing him as a tall, quick leading forward. Not dissimilar to Rawlings.

He can then go for his marks, not be as accountable and maybe get his confidence back with a couple of goals.

[sfan]

Originally posted by chammond
Er . . . wasn't CBolton playing on Pavlich when he kicked his two goals and threatened to tear the game apart?



5 goals? I doubt it.

Isn't it the established wisdom that Saddo's aversion to punching from behind is his primary weakness?

Do we have a schism in the Anti-Saddo camp?

Maybe we need to form a committee to come up with an agreed list of what's wrong with him?

Pike got 3 and there was at least 2 in the 3Q on Sunday I seem to remember.

[Dpw]

Originally posted by chammond
I wonder what Freo will do with Haddrill now?

He obviously doesn't have the strength to go body-to-body with the bigger forwards, and he's not quick enough for the leading forwards.

Maybe he could play on the wing?

Or maybe a run in the reserves?

It'll be interesting to see what Connolly does.

Disagree completly thought Haddrill was solid without being great he wasn't well surpported up field at all by his midfield who put no pressure on the ball carrier, in fact I would love Haddrill in our colors a real talent for the future.

and theres no reserves in WA only the WAFL were the players are diveded up amongst the WAFL clubs evenly.

[Dpw]

Originally posted by Captain
I'm in favour of playing him as a tall, quick leading forward. Not dissimilar to Rawlings.

He can then go for his marks, not be as accountable and maybe get his confidence back with a couple of goals.

With Davis and now MO out for sizeable stints Iam actually all for it as he could be a Rawlings type with confidence.

[chammond]

Originally posted by sfan
Pike got 3 and there was at least 2 in the 3Q on Sunday I seem to remember.

I guess it's this perception thing again.

Pike actually only kicked two goals on Saddington.

Against Fremantle, my impression was that Saddington didn't really play in defence at all, but was occasionally dragged back there by his match-up.

I saw him get beaten on the lead by Waterhouse (who I think was actually Kennelly's man at the time) who then goaled. I don't remember any other goal conceded that you could seriously ascribe to Saddington . . . I'll have a look at the tape tomorrow and see if I can pick it up.

[Diego]

Originally posted by Reggi
But with the ball in his hands he looked like a very unconfident player.

Yeah that's the same perception i get on his game. He is doing all the others things right but the most important part seems to be his downfall.

And Charlie is spot on the money...play him on the wing where he learnt his craft.

Anyway everything has been said over and over again.

[TheHood]

Originally posted by lizz
Out of interest, who else do you think would have played on Pavlich had Saddo not been in the team if it wouldn't have been his "replacement" Powell?

Bolton on Pav, LRT on Simmons. LRT did just about nothing in attack on Sunday so it would have been a nice test.

[Charlie]

Originally posted by penga
dont you mean 5 spots, or does james still have to compete?

Damn it... I knew there was someone I was forgetting!

You can throw in Dempster as well for later in the year.

[Ajn]

Throwing him up forward was a sign of his impending demotion.
Needs form and can no longer be carried

[dendol]

whoa... disappear for a few days, and surprise surprise, Saddo has his head on a guilotine.

Its clear that the problem is a lack of confidence. Im not sure how many kicks he registered, but it almost seemed like he was keen on handballing at every chance. One handball led to to ROK's great goal from the boundary, but others were indecisive, like the time he got caught holding-the-ball.

It surely doesnt help that we bag him out, and when the crowd jeer him when he got a good kick away.

But Im of the opinion that LRT should be dropped before Saddo.

[penga]

Originally posted by Ajn
Throwing him up forward was a sign of his impending demotion.
Needs form and can no longer be carried

his move up forward was a sign of the faith in james!

[swan_song]

I hATE this excuse that a player is down on confidence, as being the reason for every footballing sin. It's such an easy cop out... So and so didny play well cos hes down on confidence... what a load of old tosh!
Anyway, as Saddo is obviously so down on confidence, we have to try and boost it. Lets play him in the forward pocket, alongside either Magic or Bazza, let him lead and fly for those speckies he tries to take so unconvincingly in the backline packs. Up forward it's not going to matter so much if he misses it or knocks it straight to an opponent coming the other way...
If we continue to play him back, build his confidence by all chipping in to get Mal Michael or SOS to give him a few lessons on backline play, or get him a book on how to become a fearsome CHB...or he could read the Footy Record...and its series "How to Play the Game". Last issue it had how to play fullback, and had lots of insightful advice that any low-in-confidence backman might take onboard...like "stick to your man like glue"...or "it's important not to take your eye off the footy" or "a big thing is knowing your opposition..."

[dendol]

Originally posted by swan_song
I hATE this excuse that a player is down on confidence, as being the reason for every footballing sin. It's such an easy cop out... So and so didny play well cos hes down on confidence... what a load of old tosh!
Anyway, as Saddo is obviously so down on confidence, we have to try and boost it. Lets play him in the forward pocket, alongside either Magic or Bazza, let him lead and fly for those speckies he tries to take so unconvincingly in the backline packs. Up forward it's not going to matter so much if he misses it or knocks it straight to an opponent coming the other way...
If we continue to play him back, build his confidence by all chipping in to get Mal Michael or SOS to give him a few lessons on backline play, or get him a book on how to become a fearsome CHB...or he could read the Footy Record...and its series "How to Play the Game". Last issue it had how to play fullback, and had lots of insightful advice that any low-in-confidence backman might take onboard...like "stick to your man like glue"...or "it's important not to take your eye off the footy" or "a big thing is knowing your opposition..."

Im not saying that his lack of confidence is an excuse to justify poor form. Im specifically saying that Saddo's problem seems to be that he lacks the confidence that made him play in the way that had so many of us predicting he would be a star one day.

These days, he is indecisive and seems to want to handball rather than back his foot skills. We've harped on the reasons for this drop in form for months now, but Im with the view that he can still turn it around.

And in case you didnt realise, Roos had Saddo playing up forward for alot of the Freo game.