We're gunna get our butts kicked early on - Paul Roos

[Sanecow]

Play the ball ffs.

[ScottH]

Originally posted by Sanecow
Play the ball ffs.

Will that guarantee a premiership?

[Sanecow]

No, only a specific list of allowable injuries (broken bones etc) can do that.

[Ryan Bomford]

Originally posted by Sanecow
Play the ball ffs.

Moderator Material

[ScottH]

Originally posted by Sanecow
No, only a specific list of allowable injuries (broken bones etc) can do that.

No, luck?

[liz]

Surely the key to all of this (or one of the keys) is Roos' comment that the Swans' success relies on team structures more than most other premiership teams in recent times. I think most of us would also agree that the Swans' game plan is highly reliant on a high level of fitness.

As The Hood pointed out, Brisbane's team of the early noughties was star studded. So long as they had most of their stars in some kind of physical condition at the start of the season, they were more able to rely on individual brilliance to win them games, even while the team as a whole was still getting into its stride.

This isn't the whole answer, mind you, because the other "good" team in the league at the moment that most depends on structures and fitness is the Crows and they are flying at the moment, despite finishing last season just one week before the Swans did.

We may have to reserve judgement until September and compare the relative form of the Swans vs Crows given the disparity in their February form.

[anne]

Originally posted by hammo
Our record in the past three years will be no use if we find ourselves 1-4 or 2-5 and then Baz does a hammy or Goodsey does a knee.

In our first three games we play two teams that missed the finals and Port at home.

If we're not 3-0 then I'd be very disappointed. 3 early wins its 12 points they can never take off you.

As Premiers we should be aiming for a top 2 finish which becomes very difficult with a slow start.

I really can't understand the lowering of expectations by Roosy given the fact we have no key players out injured at the moment.

Exactly.

[Old Royboy]

So many things can effect early season performance. Roos? ?we started late? line is bovine droppings.

Some of the influences I see are:

1. The attitude of the fitness staff ? have the guys tip top or be conservative lest they burn out later on.
2. Is the team using a new game plan?
3. How important is total fitness to correctly executing the game plan.
4. How many players started late because of off season surgery?
5. Are there any LRT style ?teachers pet? type players being carried until they come good?
6. How many new players are in the side?
7. Are the players mentally ready?

I see #?s 1 and 3 as influencing our early performance. Last year we had excuses 4 and 5 as well. The last one, the premiership hangover is the unknown. Every premier claims it is no issue, but history says it often is. Time will tell.

[Schneiderman]

Originally posted by Charlie
But you do not simply agree to disagree. You have a habit of implying that people are unfaithful in their support if they dare to criticise anything that the club does.

Well after that flame post, hopefully you can move on.

[ROK Lobster]

Roos' attitude smacks of arrogance.

[goswannie14]

Originally posted by hammo

I really can't understand the lowering of expectations by Roosy given the fact we have no key players out injured at the moment.

I can't believe that any supporter would take the comments made by their coach makes in the pre-season seriously. ..and he certainly is smart enough to not give anything away to the opposition or the press.

[Thunder Shaker]

I would rather have a slow start to the season and make the finals comfortably with good end-of-season form, than have a good start to the season and then lose most games after about round 9 like Richmond.

We've had slow starts and Richmond fast ones in each of the last three seasons. Richmond were ahead of us on the ladder after round 8 of each season. We've made the finals three times, Richmond none. We won a shiny new trophy, Richmond collected some woodware.

Indeed, our last two premierships were both won with slow starts and powerful finishes. (2005: 2/6, then 16/20; 1933: 4/9, then 11/11).

There is the chance that we will be ravaged by injury after a slow start, but in all fairness early-season injuries contributed to our slow start last year. Injuries are the chances we take with a slow start, but so far under Roos we are 3 out of 3 for slow starts and 3 out of 3 for making the finals afterward.

With our good draw this year, a 4-3 record after 7 rounds would be a slow start this year.

[Nico]

Originally posted by ROK Lobster
Roos' attitude smacks of arrogance.

ROK, why dont you try a beer with an arrogance chaser this afternoon just to get you through the arvo, then you might start seeing the big picture through Roosey's eyes.

[Big Al]

Originally posted by goswannie14
I can't believe that any supporter would take the comments made by their coach makes in the pre-season seriously. ..and he certainly is smart enough to not give anything away to the opposition or the press.

Roos has always wanted to lower expectations publicly to lessen the pressure on the team. I'm sure internally their expectations would be different.