LONGMIRE

[ShockOfHair]

Mark Stevens at the Hun hasn't got the memo about Longmire's big fail this year.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/will-the-magpies-drop-didak/story-e6frf9jf-1226133993872

4. Does John Longmire deserve more credit?

Absolutely. It has been a seamless transition at Sydney, with the "Horse" leaving his own stamp on the team post Paul Roos.

Chris Scott has been lauded for stepping out of the shadow of Mark Thompson down at Geelong ... Longmire deserves as much love for having his team a win away from a preliminary final.

[The Big Cat]

I think that is being extremely kind, we were fortunate that the inept Saints didnt blow us away in the 1st quarter, and the 3rd quarter was one of our worst for the season

I've given heavy criticism of him throughout the year and I wont back down from that, but he must get some credit for our form at the latter end of the season, he hasn't made the glaringly obvious errors in the last 6 weeks that were prevalent for the rest of the season.

As I've been told a million times on this forum this year the jury is out until next season

Glaringly obvious to who? Oh, of course You, our massively qualified and experienced coaching guru.

[caj23]

I'm not going to keep on posting in this thread anymore because it's obvious that the Longmire supporters are happy that he is doing a good job, and that's fine as that is their opinion which I'm happy to respect. It's a shame that the same can't be said for everyone on this thread.

The hypocracy by some posters who are happy to sink the boot in to Tadgh Kennelly, Paul Bevan, Lewis Jetta and Jessie White but get all high and mighty when the coach is discussed is breathtaking

[ScottH]

After all the critism (a lot of it unwarranted), isn"t it about time we gave Longmire a pat on the back

Thread of the week!! (so far )

[Frog]

I'm not going to keep on posting in this thread anymore because it's obvious that the Longmire supporters are happy that he is doing a good job, and that's fine as that is their opinion which I'm happy to respect. It's a shame that the same can't be said for everyone on this thread.

The hypocracy by some posters who are happy to sink the boot in to Tadgh Kennelly, Paul Bevan, Lewis Jetta and Jessie White but get all high and mighty when the coach is discussed is breathtaking

I must. If I start a new job, which I recently did, I get a 3 or 6 month probation and at the end of that my performance, knowledge, attitude and I suppose everything they feel needs to be reviewed, is reviewed. You, the readers of this, are all in the same boat. You will all have that same (or similar) period of probation. The only, and I repeat, the only person that is above this, seems to be a Sydney Swans coach. I hope he serves us well.

[liz]

I must. If I start a new job, which I recently did, I get a 3 or 6 month probation and at the end of that my performance, knowledge, attitude and I suppose everything they feel needs to be reviewed, is reviewed. You, the readers of this, are all in the same boat. You will all have that same (or similar) period of probation. The only, and I repeat, the only person that is above this, seems to be a Sydney Swans coach. I hope he serves us well.

I find this comment very odd, Frog. No employee is expected to become a master of their job during their 3-6 month probation period. They are required to show basic levels of competence. By any measure, Longmire had shown that 3 months into the season, and is still showing it 6 months into a season.

If you appoint a new CEO to a mid cap company, do you judge him harshly if the company hasn't exceeded the market cap of BHP six months into his tenure? I doubt it...

[Chilcott]

Liz, from what I gathered from Frog's post, was that he was saying the same thing as you, with tongue firmly in cheek.

????

[liz]

Liz, from what I gathered from Frog's post, was that he was saying the same thing as you, with tongue firmly in cheek.

????

I don't think he was...but I suspect he will clarify.

[Go Swannies]

You'd think the natural term of probation is the first season. That we are still in it suggests at least a pass - beatification or a knighthood awaits if we're still there in three weeks.

The other issue with staff is attitude and adaptation. After the Richmond game I started a thread entitled "I give up" - and I'll be in Canada this weekend but back if we take on the Pies. The whole team (and that includes the coaching staff) seem to have woken up after that completely unacceptable performance and are performing well above most expectations. If they were my staff I'd be telling them that I was very happy with them but the job is only half done.

A side issue - I've suspected that Horse does not have the people skills of Roos (few do) but his response to the McVeigh tragedy has been exemplary and praiseworthy.

[Frog]

I must.

I shouldn't have.

I find this comment very odd, Frog. No employee is expected to become a master of their job
during their 3-6 month probation period. They are required to show basic levels of competence.
By any measure, Longmire had shown that 3 months into the season, and is still showing it 6 months
into a season.
If you appoint a new CEO to a mid cap company, do you judge him harshly if the company hasn't
exceeded the market cap of BHP six months into his tenure? I doubt it...

You make total sense. I don't find anything wrong with your comment, nor its intention. A new CEO may have a different probation period, if any at all. Their selection is made from a select group of people that have shown apptitude in the past - much like AFL coaches. Perhaps Longmire was selected from such a group and didn't have a probation period - He was just given a contract. And that is OK, that is how it goes.

I don't think this is about Longmire so much anymore as it is about people feeling that their opinions are no longer valid here for fear of being shot down. Read caj23's post a bit higher, read mine in another Longmire thread and I am sure I can find more where people have just given up. Positive, negative, they are emotions we all have. And both are allowed here, this is an open forum. This is not called the one-eyed RedandWhiteOnline forum. Yes, by definition we are one-eyed, but we have freedom to speak for or against a subject, to argue points. And right now, right here, Longmire is such a subject and honestly, I couldn't care less if he'd have been 2 weeks in the job ... If the criticism is warranted, someone is going to mete it out. Someone else however, is going to get their nose out of joint because something they love is being attacked. Don't attack the poster because you don't agree. Yes, I know you are one-eyed and you have a different opinion. Give me your opinion on the subject matter. Don't just call me an idiot and think you have won the fight. I guarantee each and every one of you that better people have called me an idiot before. And they have been proven right. I don't need you to state the bleeding obvious. What I need you to do, wearing your one-eyed, rose coloured glasses, is to stun me with facts and counter arguments. Then I can, perhaps, form a different opinion.

I'll get back on topic then to let you do just that ...

Longmire is not above criticism just because he has a contract? Because he has a contract, does that imply we have to bow to him for the next year or two (or the length of his contract, whichever is the greater)? Why can I not be allowed to criticise the man without falling victim to abuse from all and sundry here? Argue the points. Don't just say I cannot criticise the man because he has been in the job for a short time. Give me reasons why he is so good, why he is the Messiah (and I so, so hope he will be). I hope we get to the GF, I hope we win it. I will not have egg on my face, I will not eat my hat. I will maintain the boys got there despite some of Longmire's worstdecisions. Yes, the boys need a general, but they all know what to do once they cross that whiteline. Does that mean I don't think a coach is necessary? No, of course not. Apparantly, the young guns are going great guns in the reserves (admittedly a sub-standard competition), but then fail when they get to the firsts. What is the reserves coach doing better than Longmire?

I have mentioned this in a thread on TDL once. TDL isn't ready. Now, when he fails, everybody blames TDL - Anybody thought of blaming the coach? Oh, hang on, he's three months into the job,we can't blame the coach. So let's blame the player, who has been how long in the job exactly?Promising youngsters and we are ready to throw them out - but woe be us if we criticise thosethat are there to make these youngsters flourish (with apologies to Playfair).

Our goal kicking yips. Everybody screams when we again miss set shots. And how many have blamedthe Diet Coke ad for that (in jest, I probably understand that). How many have blamed Longmirefor installing an old team-mate, a defender, as the forwards coach? Jobs for the boys much? Andwhy does everybody like the advice of Blight and now Davis when there is nothing wrong? Oh, but there is something wrong in the forward setup, isn't there?

Am I pissed at Longmire? you betcha! Do I think he can do better? You betcha! Do I want himto do better? Absolutely ... I want him to win. We accept mediocre from Longmire and because hehas been in the job less than 3 months we don't say anything. He is going to continue giving youmediocre because nobody complains! I am sick of the heart attacks. I want killer instinct, I want10 goal wins. I want goals, not behinds. I want a forwards coach, not a mate that needs a job.I want runs straight down the guts, I want kicks to free players not to a 5 on 1 contest where weare the one and the opposition the 5. I don't want the wings if the middle is a better option.

Now, I am sure I have said something in here that will be ridiculed. Back it up. Don't just callme an idiot (I know that, I have been one for years), don't just say he has only been in the job forso long ... that, as an argument, is very tiring. Ask TDL. TDL will ask for time. He should begiven it. The same goes for the coach, Longmire, he will ask for time and should be given it.Personally, I give both time, but neither is above criticism - regardless of time.

[Chilcott]

Wisely worded, Frog. Although, don't entirely agree.

Liz, you were very much correct re. my 'toungue in cheek' observation.

[dimelb]

Just like to let you know Frog that I've never thought you an idiot. I disagree from time to time, but that's why we're here. Same goes for caj. And I deeply appreciate the time and effort you put into this site, which makes it an excellent place to visit.