Roos: I'm flat, out of ideas, reserves are no good

[TheMase]

Realistically there are only a couple of key ingredients missing at the moment.

1. Run
We are stagnant. This could be the opposition tactics but we are just not moving the ball fast enough out of the opposition defense. Kennelly has had some effect in this regard, but it is a bigger problem than that.

2. Intensity
Our intensity towards the ball and the opposition has dropped substantially. This is shown by a) our lack of tackles per game b) the amount of possession the opposition is getting c) our lack of inside 50s. This is particularly evident in the past 3 losses. Our lack of intensity has also effected our skill level as we are seen rushing rather than in clear space.

3. Ball Handling
Because of our lack of intensity and run we are fumbling the ball, we are not composed and we are under extra undue pressure that we should not be under.

If we improve 1 and 2, 3 will come.

If we do this, you'll see amazing improvement I feel....

[NMWBloods]

The whole point of the game plan is that its frank and beans. Little can go wrong when we play it properly, which we havent been doing. I think the Richmond board will be sounding out a few RWO members for employment. How fickle can you be.

Plenty can go wrong if the team is placed under full-game pressure or there is a massive flood. This wasn't executed successfully against us in the past two years. No one cared about us in 2005.

Simon H had it right. No-one likes the plan when we lose, but why change everything 1/3 of the way through the season?!

I didn't say make wholesale changes, but sitting and doing nothing expecting it will get better because it has in the past is pretty stupid. Are you one of those people who say that because we have had slow starts and good finishes in the past, we must have a good finish again because we've had a slow start again?

People still yell for Mr Yawns blood, but he has been in career best form. Talk about grasping at straws - criticise him for focussing on his man...!

In modern football you can't just focus on your man. At one stage in the last quarter he ran past the man with the ball so he could cover his own man - the player with the ball then ran through the centre and they kicked a goal from it. Fantastic - no possession for Dal Santo but a goal for St Kilda!

[NMWBloods]

Does anyone think the Kangaroos have a better side than us? They are playing a direct, long-kicking and look how well it is working.

[ScottH]

Does anyone think the Kangaroos have a better side than us? They are playing a direct, long-kicking and look how well it is working.

The end to end footy was much faster than ours, and they had some targets that they hit.

[stellation]

In modern football you can't just focus on your man. At one stage in the last quarter he ran past the man with the ball so he could cover his own man - the player with the ball then ran through the centre and they kicked a goal from it. Fantastic - no possession for Dal Santo but a goal for St Kilda!

Just watching your own man is my biggest issue with Sean Dempster. Roos needs to go on his hands and knees to the great Andrew Schauble, beg him for forgiveness then asking him to come back as an assistant coach with a focus on teaching players when to leave their man to help out a comrade.

[Industrial Fan]

Plenty can go wrong if the team is placed under full-game pressure or there is a massive flood. This wasn't executed successfully against us in the past two years. No one cared about us in 2005.

I didn't say make wholesale changes, but sitting and doing nothing expecting it will get better because it has in the past is pretty stupid. Are you one of those people who say that because we have had slow starts and good finishes in the past, we must have a good finish again because we've had a slow start again?

In modern football you can't just focus on your man. At one stage in the last quarter he ran past the man with the ball so he could cover his own man - the player with the ball then ran through the centre and they kicked a goal from it. Fantastic - no possession for Dal Santo but a goal for St Kilda!

Again, crap. Last year in particular, our own fans would boo as we chipped it around in the backline while every opponent was defensive side of the ball. Very little understanding of the game.

Of course it isn't a given we will have a second half resurgence. But I am confident that we will. There are a number of key factors that have been missing - but I cant go past the fact that the kangas have beaten us at our own game before, and its not the first time the saints have made us look ordinary. And now they are being coached by our ex.

I think some need to take a deep breath.

Who was the player with the ball? What were his instructions? Dal Santo is possibly (probably) their most damaging player, so that is also a calculated risk. He has been outstanding the past few weeks. Dont lose sight of the fact that I call him mr yawn either.

[NMWBloods]

Again, crap. Last year in particular, our own fans would boo as we chipped it around in the backline while every opponent was defensive side of the ball. Very little understanding of the game.

We didn't do that all the time and it was not done effectively by all teams for entire games.

Of course it isn't a given we will have a second half resurgence. But I am confident that we will. There are a number of key factors that have been missing - but I cant go past the fact that the kangas have beaten us at our own game before, and its not the first time the saints have made us look ordinary. And now they are being coached by our ex.

I think some need to take a deep breath.

Yet none of that makes you correct and calling for an evolution to the next stage of the game plan is not something that is a panic call requiring a deep breath. You are seeing things that aren't there, which also seems to be approach to some aspects of football.

Who was the player with the ball? What were his instructions? Dal Santo is possibly (probably) their most damaging player, so that is also a calculated risk. He has been outstanding the past few weeks. Dont lose sight of the fact that I call him mr yawn either.

It's pointless stopping your man if the opposition get a goal. It's about playing smart football.

[bloodboy]

I honestly can't believe what I am reading. Some of this absolute drivel shocks me, even though it probably shouldn't...

To whoever said that Paul Roos has lost them...hahaha, that is just ludicrous. If that is true, he must not have ever really had you in the first place. To all those people bagging our game plan and Roosy already, get real. I think the bloke has earned a few more than 7 games to prove to us that he has a brilliant football brain.

I understand that our game plan does have to evolve, but evolution does not happen overnight, that is what is called a revolution. I think some people are just totally overreacting to the fact that the players have not performed up to our expectations yet this year.

I am totally with you in being quite frustrated at the way we have played so far this year, but I ain't gonna write the boys off just yet. I think some of you doomsayers have got to get real...far out

[NMWBloods]

I understand that our game plan does have to evolve, but evolution does not happen overnight, that is what is called a revolution. I think some people are just totally overreacting to the fact that the players have not performed up to our expectations yet this year.

Did I suggest an overnight change?

[bloodboy]

Well, I have read through my post and still cannot see where I did say that you said that...

But now that you mention it, I think the overall theme of this thread, and your posts, would suggest that you want to make big changes sooner rather than later.

You ask questions of the coaching staff and players, not directly saying, but definitely inferring that you believe that the time is nigh for big change.

I just think it is a big overreaction to a group of players who just are not performing at their peak level. Will the players lift? Who knows? Should we be making wholesale changes to keep up with the competition? I'm really not sure but I doubt it. The only thing I can say, with confidence, is that the team has earned my trust for a few good weeks yet before I personally start questioning how the club is being run.

[swantastic]

Roosy and his bright ideas,or lack of em(scratches head) I dont think we will ever work Roosy out but as long as he gets results he's the man for the job.All our good players are a little down ATM so lets just hope they pull there finger out soon.

[NMWBloods]

Well, I have read through my post and still cannot see where I did say that you said that...

You were talking about evolution, which was my suggestion, and then said it doesn't happen overnight as if to counter that I had said it does, so naturally you are addressing my point.

But now that you mention it, I think the overall theme of this thread, and your posts, would suggest that you want to make big changes sooner rather than later.

Actually I don't think you have read my posts at all. I have said a number of times that we should make gradual rotations of reserves through the senior side but not make wholesale changes in the team. I do think game plans need to be gradually evolved to add new ideas to prevent opposition teams countering them and to help stop the team going stale.

You ask questions of the coaching staff and players, not directly saying, but definitely inferring that you believe that the time is nigh for big change.

Some gradual changes are necessary - this is a common theme for successful teams. Your inference is way off the mark - I have not suggested that big changes need to be made right now.

In fact - go and actually read with your eyes open this time what I wrote in post 16 - "In terms of new players I think throwing in too many would be a disaster, but I think more work needs to be done on introducing a few more on a rotation basis. To some extent that has been difficult in the past two years given few injuries and success. However, a little more needs to be done."

I just think it is a big overreaction to a group of players who just are not performing at their peak level. Will the players lift? Who knows? Should we be making wholesale changes to keep up with the competition? I'm really not sure but I doubt it. The only thing I can say, with confidence, is that the team has earned my trust for a few good weeks yet before I personally start questioning how the club is being run.

None of this really relates to what I have said so from everything you have posted it seems that you have not read my posts at all.

Everyone is entitled to have a view. However, if you disagree with the views expressed by the people who are disappointed with the performances, how about you address their specific comments rather than these broad-sweeping generalisations about people writing drivel and overreacting and your trust of the team, as if somehow that means more than anyone else's opinion. This would particularly help to established if you are completely off the mark with your comments, which you are here.

Additionally I've been saying for a while some adjustments in the game plan are necessary - we need to be more attacking and kick some more goals. Low scoring, intense encounters are too risky. We have a great forward line - we should use it more effectively, just to try and gain an extra 1 or 2 goals per game. Everyone talks about how successful the game plan has been so far, and yes it has produced results, however don't forget how unbelievably close it was to just more seasons of not really even being a contender. I think that gets forgotten at times.

[Bas]

What a lot of bollocks. Everyone knew after 2005 how we played. It isnt a science...

This forum is hilarious at the moment. Saints and Roos have both beaten us in the last few seasons. Crows have been a constant bogey team, and weagles knocked us off by a point.

I think some sedatives wouldn't go astray.

Sadly so has Port. Speaking of Port and sedatives, make it a large bottle this Sunday.

[Xie Shan]

Realistically there are only a couple of key ingredients missing at the moment.

1. Run

...

2. Intensity

...

3. Ball Handling
Because of our lack of intensity and run we are fumbling the ball, we are not composed and we are under extra undue pressure that we should not be under.

If we improve 1 and 2, 3 will come.

If we do this, you'll see amazing improvement I feel....

Nail. Head.

Yes, we looked awful on Saturday night. But this is no different to most games we've lost by comfortable margins over the years. The Swans have always been a confidence team, which is why our skills always look awful when we lose. We've always been a team where the whole has been greater than the sum of the parts - this is not to say we lack talent, but a lot of our advantage comes from this ability to get an even contribution from everyone. The flip side of this is that when run and intensity are down, we generally look very very poor. Hell, Melbourne against the Bulldogs on Sunday looked better than us, and they haven't won a game!!

Conclusion:
Well, don't expect us to play attractive footy for a little while, least till Tadhg gets back. Do expect us to grind out an ugly win against Port, and if we do, we should have just enough form to get past the Bulldogs and Bombers until the confidence hopefully returns.

Agree with all the rest about the game plan needing to evolve and making a couple of changes, but no reason to panic (yet). Though if we're 3-7 in three weeks time...

[bloodboy]

You were talking about evolution, which was my suggestion, and then said it doesn't happen overnight as if to counter that I had said it does, so naturally you are addressing my point.

Whoa, settle down there ace. Stop getting so defensive. Just because I mention something you said earlier does not necessarily mean that I am disputing it.

Actually I don't think you have read my posts at all. I have said a number of times that we should make gradual rotations of reserves through the senior side but not make wholesale changes in the team. I do think game plans need to be gradually evolved to add new ideas to prevent opposition teams countering them and to help stop the team going stale.

Some gradual changes are necessary - this is a common theme for successful teams. Your inference is way off the mark - I have not suggested that big changes need to be made right now.

In fact - go and actually read with your eyes open this time what I wrote in post 16 - "In terms of new players I think throwing in too many would be a disaster, but I think more work needs to be done on introducing a few more on a rotation basis. To some extent that has been difficult in the past two years given few injuries and success. However, a little more needs to be done."

Yeah, just read the infamous post 16, you seem to be all over the place in what you are saying. You say gradual changes are to be made and then question whether the coaching and playing groups are up to the next challenge. Let's get rid of the coaches, that'll be a nice little gradual change.

None of this really relates to what I have said so from everything you have posted it seems that you have not read my posts at all.

Everyone is entitled to have a view. However, if you disagree with the views expressed by the people who are disappointed with the performances, how about you address their specific comments rather than these broad-sweeping generalisations about people writing drivel and overreacting and your trust of the team, as if somehow that means more than anyone else's opinion. This would particularly help to established if you are completely off the mark with your comments, which you are here.

The ultimate hypocrite, NMW. You are entitled to your view, but don't express it anywhere because you are wrong...hahaha. Take some of your own advice and READ my posts carefully. You are trying to put words in my mouth. Don't. I have read quite a few of your posts and, well, you talk a lot of bull. When did I say that everyone's comments on here were drivel and when did I try to express that my views were more valid than the next person's? You are right, I do think that my opinion is right...hmmm...could that be why it is actually my opinion? You show me where I did not allow others to express their opinion. As for that last sentence, English please.

Additionally I've been saying for a while some adjustments in the game plan are necessary - we need to be more attacking and kick some more goals. Low scoring, intense encounters are too risky. We have a great forward line - we should use it more effectively, just to try and gain an extra 1 or 2 goals per game. Everyone talks about how successful the game plan has been so far, and yes it has produced results, however don't forget how unbelievably close it was to just more seasons of not really even being a contender. I think that gets forgotten at times.

There is only so much a good forward line can do with poor delivery. As soon as we recruit some exceptional midfielders, then we go hell for leather on the attacking.

There you go, quotes and all, just the way you like it.