What I think we need

[Newbie]

Re: Re: Re: What I think we need

Originally posted by NMWBloods

If our crop of guys in the 50-150 game category don't improve a lot, then that 3-5 year (2-4 now) time horizon will be awfully difficult to achieve.

You hit the nail in right in the head there, NMWBloods. This is the most plainful realization in the last few weeks. I really am persimistic against our chance for the next 3 years. The next question is whether the younger crop could be the force to bring us to glory? Our stock for this group is quite bare too. With only Bevan, LRT, Schneider and McVeigh have shown something to hope for. Reports on the 2's have not been really flashy.

We need major surgeon on the list and it has to happen fast. May be we should consider trading one of Mathews/Crouch this year to bolster our trading option. With Fixter and Bevan maturing, we dont lack defensive options as much as offensive weapons in the midfield right now.

We might not need to waste our time on Fosdike any further. He is gone. Bolton to go if we could find a suitable suitor. Apart from that, what else do we have to trade? Leo Barry perhaps?

[hammo]

I wouldn't like to see Crouch traded. He rarely lets the team down.

[sharpie]

I must say that in the last 24 hours I have come to the same conclusions regarding focusing on the 3-5 year plan. I'm happy I have, because it will mean I will be able to now go to the games and enjoy myself, instead of being ultra stressed out about the result. All season I've been stressed at all the games so much more than usual because of the expectations built from last year.

As I've said many times before, all I want to see is 100% commitment by the team. The results will take care of themselves.

[undy]

Yep, Saddo didn't look too horrible rucking (as an emergency). What roles hasn't he filled this year ?

[liz]

Re: Re: Re: What I think we need

Originally posted by NMWBloods

For example, players like J Bolton, Fosdike, Saddington, etc. have over 100 games to their credit and should be some of our leading players now and senior team members setting a good example and having a solid positive influence in this 3-5 time horizon. However, they are part of the problem of the current slump. Their form is poor or patchy at best. They can't use the excuse that it is a rebuilding process as they are well into their careers and should be playing a lot better.

We know that all three of these can play better football than they are currently playing - particularly Jude and Saddo. OK, Jude has only really done it consistently for one season but we know he can. It is doubtful that he will ever be a player in the Kelly, Harvey, West, Cousins, Riccuito etc league but he could be a very solid 'no 2' midfielder if he can reproduce what he did last year.

And just because they have played 100 games + doesn't mean there isn't significant improvement left in them. Cressa was one player who kept on getting better as his career progressed. Even in 1996 he was primarily a tagging type player before really emerging in 1997 as a very very good midfielder. And his disposals were improving right until the end of his career. Watching a few tapes of games from 2002-3 it really struck me how often he would hit his target compared to his earlier years, and his goal kicking improved out of this world.

These players are not the answer on their own but with the injection of even one "really classy" or "really good at clearances" player they could yet have a huge contribution to make. Roos just needs to discover whether those players can be found/created out of Bevan, Schneider, McVeigh, Willoughby, Schmidt, Buchanan or whether they still need to be found.

[NMWBloods]

Re: Re: Re: Re: What I think we need

Originally posted by lizz
We know that all three of these can play better football than they are currently playing - particularly Jude and Saddo. OK, Jude has only really done it consistently for one season but we know he can. It is doubtful that he will ever be a player in the Kelly, Harvey, West, Cousins, Riccuito etc league but he could be a very solid 'no 2' midfielder if he can reproduce what he did last year.

Certainly they have the ability to play better, but the question will be can they do it again. Sometimes players just don't.

And just because they have played 100 games + doesn't mean there isn't significant improvement left in them. Cressa was one player who kept on getting better as his career progressed. Even in 1996 he was primarily a tagging type player before really emerging in 1997 as a very very good midfielder. And his disposals were improving right until the end of his career. Watching a few tapes of games from 2002-3 it really struck me how often he would hit his target compared to his earlier years, and his goal kicking improved out of this world.

I would hope they can better, even from last year. I think players improve up until about 30, and then after that some still get better at certain things, compensating for less athleticism and speed.

I mention the 100 games because by that stage I would hope they are very good and regular contributors, however some of these guys play like they are still in their first couple of seasons, and some people seem to partly accept that because "it is a rebuilding year."

These players are not the answer on their own but with the injection of even one "really classy" or "really good at clearances" player they could yet have a huge contribution to make. Roos just needs to discover whether those players can be found/created out of Bevan, Schneider, McVeigh, Willoughby, Schmidt, Buchanan or whether they still need to be found.

These guys are definitely not the answer by themselves. Hopefully we do unearth a great midfielder type, however if we are lucky enough to do so, hopefully these remaining guys don't leave it up to that player, as we used to with some of our other star players.

[TheHood]

Re: Re: Re: Re: What I think we need

Originally posted by Newbie
We need major surgeon on the list and it has to happen fast. May be we should consider trading one of Mathews/Crouch this year to bolster our trading option. With Fixter and Bevan maturing, we dont lack defensive options as much as offensive weapons in the midfield right now.

We might not need to waste our time on Fosdike any further. He is gone. Bolton to go if we could find a suitable suitor. Apart from that, what else do we have to trade? Leo Barry perhaps?

I don't think there is anything to be achieved by trading these guys at all. Dream trades are only achieved out of extreme differences, i.e. Plugger, Baz, Spida, the Duck...if you think we're going to grab some gun because we've got Crouchy or Benny up for sale, then think again.

Believe it or not, most of Brisbane's midfield was playing during their dark days and to me this means our good players can get better real quick with 50 to 100 games. What is Schneides going to be like by game 75 or Bevo or Rok or Jamesy...very bloody good I would suggest. These guys could really turn it on with our "elder" guys, Benny, Leo, Crouchy, Jude etc.

Have some faith, don't talk trades till it's polite because I reckon our 2004 isn't over yet!

[undy]

Originally posted by undy
Yep, Saddo didn't look too horrible rucking (as an emergency). What roles hasn't he filled this year ?

Mmmm, I was only joking. When we rocked up to find no Doyle today, we speculated on who would ruck when Bally got tired and again joked about Saddo. I think he did well - he was giving away 6cm and 20kg if that was Campbell he was against (must go and watch replay).

[Thunder Shaker]

Re: What I think we need

Originally posted by footyhead
The great thing the Swans did under Barrasi, was set up a really strong leadership group, get a really really inspiring captain who could lead from the front for about ten years

Just a small correction there ... it was actually Buckenara who appointed Kel as captain in 1993. About the only good thing he did as coach.

[Thunder Shaker]

Re: Re: Re: Re: What I think we need

Originally posted by monopoly19
When I look at our team, I am actually very excited for the future. Schneider, Bevan, McVeigh, Buchanan, LRT, Powell and Ablett are all kids that I hold in pretty high regard (some more than others ) and would love, love, love to see them all there in he starting 22 5 years from now. The fact that 5/7 of them are from NSW is also pretty cool, but not very relevant...

Actually, having young players from NSW is relevant to the goal of building a core group of players for the future. The biggest problem the Swans have had in past years is drafting a quality player from outside NSW with an early draft pick, only for that player to be homesick and wanting to return home, thus forcing the club to trade him after his contract expires. Darren Gaspar, Anthony Rocca and Shannon Grant are just three examples of the many players that the Swans have had to trade away in this way in the past 20 years.

With the Swans drafting good young players from NSW, they are likely to stay at the club, thus providing for a more stable core group.