WTF?

[stevoswan]

Agree with Blue Sun above, but what we really lack is this (from ABC News website re: Crows backline)): "One crucial element was the ability of Adelaide's defenders to hit their targets coming out of the back 50.

Curtley Hampton's disposal efficiency was only 57 per cent, but his team-mates were elite, led by Rory Laird and Daniel Talia whose disposal efficiency was 94 per cent.

Brodie Smith hit his targets 90 per cent of the time, while Luke Brown (88 per cent), Jake Kelly (85) and Kyle Hartigan (80) were also impressive.

When you can't force a mistake out of your opponents' back six, it's very hard to score. Just ask Richmond." We are Curtly Hampton or worse, our disposal efficiency out of the backline is total crap and making it easy for the opposition to score and nigh on impossible for us to score on the counter.....It all starts down back, gee we miss Rampe (and even McVeigh!) and of course, AJ at his best. It would also be nice if our onballers lifted their game in the middle, as RogueSwan alluded to, to stop it getting down there in the first place. With a bit of luck, everything may fall into place next season, this one is done.....

[Billericay]

Its all confidence IMO. Teams know they can beat us, we are unsure if we can win.

Think this is a HUGE factor. My understanding is that dropping easy marks is a measure of confidence. So as an aside I'm also hoping that Sinclair will drop less as his confidence improves.

I think the points RogueSwan makes are valid too about people not just "playing their role". Parker seemed to want to do something heroic every time he got the ball and as a result got caught HTB I think 5 times.

We really REALLY need to win on Sunday.

[Jonesy94]

I wouldn't be surprised if the boys are still deflated after their questionable loss in the GF last year. Compounded again this year when they were dudded by the umpires in the GF rematch. Its hard to play a hard brand of footy when you are penalised for it and makes you question how to go about your footy.

Yeah frustration must be part of it. One thing is to go into a contest hard knowing you are doing the right thing and will be paid for it as opposed to doubting yourself, especially when you keep hearing the umps blow the whistle against you.

I think we lack serious leadership on the field. We are seriously directionless, no where to go with no real captain barking instructions. Heeney said it himself that its dead silent on the field. During our dominance we always had one player in all sections bark instructions on where to go etc. None of that is occurring and the boys look lost. KJ and McVeigh were the ones and before them we had Goodsey, ROK, J Bolton and R shaw, C Bolton down back AND before them under Roosy we had Kirk. So we have always had a general organising things on the field for the last decade and a bit. ATM we have no one. Poor Joey is not a captain, but how do you tell that to JPK?

[ScottH]

Played above expectations last year, and confidence grew.
Playing to last years expectations and confidence has gone missing.
Actually, not sure it even turned up this year. Did we trade it to Richmond last year with Toby?

[annew]

Yeah frustration must be part of it. One thing is to go into a contest hard knowing you are doing the right thing and will be paid for it as opposed to doubting yourself, especially when you keep hearing the umps blow the whistle against you.

I think we lack serious leadership on the field. We are seriously directionless, no where to go with no real captain barking instructions. Heeney said it himself that its dead silent on the field. During our dominance we always had one player in all sections bark instructions on where to go etc. None of that is occurring and the boys look lost. KJ and McVeigh were the ones and before them we had Goodsey, ROK, J Bolton and R shaw, C Bolton down back AND before them under Roosy we had Kirk. So we have always had a general organising things on the field for the last decade and a bit. ATM we have no one. Poor Joey is not a captain, but how do you tell that to JPK?

It is unfair to say Kennedy is not a captain when the team is changing every week along with bringing in inexperienced players. No wonder swans feel smashed they have been punished ever since the Buddy deal. With a 2 year trade ban enforced it was always going to affect the list and it surprises me we made it to a GF last year on the back of so many new players, that says the comp was a bit weak last year. We are pretty bad but can you honestly say the 6 or so teams just above us are that good cos Ess Melb game was pretty bad. The umpiring against the swans in the GF and subsequently this year again in round 2 would be enough to make anyone wonder WTF. Does anyone not think that the swans have done a great job considering they couldn't trade for 2 years. This ban forced them to bring in very young playrs and forced swans hand at trade table with Jetta. Would love to see how other teams would have coped with that as you still here them whinging about Carlton and their salary cap bans and Ess and drug bans. Do not forget the AFL said swans did nothing wrong, the AFL said GF umpiring was not up to standard.

[dejavoodoo44]

Played above expectations last year, and confidence grew.
Playing to last years expectations and confidence has gone missing.
Actually, not sure it even turned up this year. Did we trade it to Richmond last year with Toby?

Well, after the Adelaide match, they've probably finished with it. So perhaps they would like to give it back?

[Ludwig]

Agree with Blue Sun above, but what we really lack is this (from ABC News website re: Crows backline)): "One crucial element was the ability of Adelaide's defenders to hit their targets coming out of the back 50.

Curtley Hampton's disposal efficiency was only 57 per cent, but his team-mates were elite, led by Rory Laird and Daniel Talia whose disposal efficiency was 94 per cent.

Brodie Smith hit his targets 90 per cent of the time, while Luke Brown (88 per cent), Jake Kelly (85) and Kyle Hartigan (80) were also impressive.

When you can't force a mistake out of your opponents' back six, it's very hard to score. Just ask Richmond." We are Curtly Hampton or worse, our disposal efficiency out of the backline is total crap and making it easy for the opposition to score and nigh on impossible for us to score on the counter.....It all starts down back, gee we miss Rampe (and even McVeigh!) and of course, AJ at his best. It would also be nice if our onballers lifted their game in the middle, as RogueSwan alluded to, to stop it getting down there in the first place. With a bit of luck, everything may fall into place next season, this one is done.....

I agree with this. Adelaide is a great case of how to rebuild a team under extreme adversity. For various reasons they have lost some great players over the past few years, including Tippett (who was highly rated at the time), Phil Davis, Jack Gunston and Dangerfield. They lost their best kicker out of defence in Jaensch, I think due to concussion. Andy Otten, a slow but reliable defender was out for the better part of 2 or 3 years. They lost top draft picks for 2 years due to the Tippett fiasco. Yet they find themselves at the top of the table, the best team in footy atm.

Of course they drafted and traded well, picking up some very good late and rookie draft picks. Think Rory Laird and Atkins. The played Jake Lever from the first year even though he was badly outsized for a defender at the time. They persisted with Kyle Hartigan, who had many poor games over several years, but now he's a very solid defender.

We need to find our core defensive unit of the future by the second half of this year. As noted in the quoted post, we need to have a defensive unit that can move the ball out of defence efficiently. It can be done by efficient kicking or run and carry. Usually a combination of both is best. It takes time to get a back six to work well together as a unit, so we can't begin soon enough.

Who goes out:

1. Reg: He's simply too slow for a modern defence. He plays well enough against the old time full forward who tries to wrestle for a contested mark, but there aren't that many of those around any more. Reg is contracted through next year. The best thing would be for him to retire this year and we give him a coaching role to compensate for his lost salary.
2. Jake Lloyd: He's been great this year, but is not physical enough for a role in defense. We should play to his strength, which is a link up midfielder who runs hard and to the right spots, makes good decisions, and uses the ball well. He's really our replacement for Macca.
3. Callum Mills: He's good enough to play anywhere, but teams are finding out that he can be exploited physically. He's tough, but too young to be playing as a man on man defender. It's a waste not playing him in the midfield where he can get lots of ball, because he uses it well. Along with Lloyd, our outside game should be much improved.
4. Harry Cunningham: Is too soft for a defensive role and doesn't use his pace enough, his best asset. Harry can play a half forward role now that he's willing to tackle, but is probably not in our best 22.

Who stays or comes in:

1. Rampe: Yes, we really miss him. He's become the heart and soul of our defence. What can we do. He's injured. Things should get a lot better when he returns.
2. Smith: He hasn't had a great year so far, but he's still our best lock down small defender. He's far too young to be at the end of his career. There's not much we can do but hope he finds his best form again. We don't have a natural replacement for him. I was thinking that we could develop Fisher or Ronke into the next small defender. I would even give Florent a shot. He's very evasive, has pace and good skills.
3. Newman: Is one of the best kicks at the Swans. He can take the kick ins. He's quicker than he appears, usually preferring to use his ability to release a handball or kick the ball accurately even under pressure. He should improve with AFL experience.
4. Michael Talia: The Reg replacement. He should be a solid fullback. He's got the size and strength, is a decent kick and is not afraid to take the game on. He's 24 yo, but has only played 31 games. He needs to get a good run of games to develop.
5. Lewis Melican: He's in the side now and hope he stays there. He's quick for a defender, makes quick decisions and kicks well on both sides of his body. At only 20 yo, he could be one of the best key defenders in the game.
6. Aliir: A unique player. I would really like to see him playing through the midfield in due course, but let's get him settled in as a defender first. He will make mistakes, but he's a dynamic player that can hurt other sides with his marking, kicking and run and carry. Is great a ground level for such a big guy. He needs to smooth out the rough parts of his game, but is real weapon wherever he plays. He's also a very vocal player who add energy to the team.
7. Zak Jones: He's my number 1 run and carry choice. With Lloyd and Mills moving to the midfield, Zak would be the one to go back in defence. He's provided a lot of zip coming out defence when he's played there. He would make a good combo with Aliir as 2 dangerous runners from out backline.

Waiting in the Wings:

1. Harry Marsh: He should be able to hold down a spot in defense. If he's good enough, he could allow Rampe or Newman to spend more time through the midfield. Harry has good pace and is a powerful kick. He's been a slow but steady developer, so it's hard to know where his ceiling is.
2. Colin O'Riordan: I really like his game. Is solid in all aspects of the game. He seems a certainty to become a very good AFL player.
3. Jack Maibaum: Looks to be an excellent KPD prospect, who can also play forward. He will probably continue to develop in the NEAFL this year. Maybe will get a game or two. He's a backup for KPD if Talia fails to make it, but can also be the one that allows Aliir to take on a role outside of defence.
4. Alex Johnson: I'm hopeful that he will make a full recovery and follow the path of Dan Menzel and regain the form he once had. It's hard to predict what will happen, but will be a real bonus if he can make a full recovery.
5. Toby Pink: He's showing good signs as a key forward. A KPF is probably the toughest position to succeed in and it's a big step up from the NEAFL to the AFL, but he looks good enough to be a key defender or a ruckman, both positions he has played as a junior. He would be 'my kind of ruckman' in that he can compete in the ruck, has good pace and can be make an impact around the ground.

There you have it. The sooner we start the better. I think we have the personnel to take us forward for many years to come.

[ScottH]

Well, after the Adelaide match, they've probably finished with it. So perhaps they would like to give it back?

LOL. True. But Adelaide are a bloody good unit ATM.

I agree with this. Adelaide is a great case of how to rebuild a team under extreme adversity. For various reasons they have lost some great players over the past few years, including Tippett (who was highly rated at the time), Phil Davis, Jack Gunston and Dangerfield. They lost their best kicker out of defence in Jaensch, I think due to concussion. Andy Otten, a slow but reliable defender was out for the better part of 2 or 3 years. They lost top draft picks for 2 years due to the Tippett fiasco. Yet they find themselves at the top of the table, the best team in footy atm.

Of course they drafted and traded well, picking up some very good late and rookie draft picks. Think Rory Laird and Atkins. The played Jake Lever from the first year even though he was badly outsized for a defender at the time. They persisted with Kyle Hartigan, who had many poor games over several years, but now he's a very solid defender.

We need to find our core defensive unit of the future by the second half of this year. As noted in the quoted post, we need to have a defensive unit that can move the ball out of defence efficiently. It can be done by efficient kicking or run and carry. Usually a combination of both is best. It takes time to get a back six to work well together as a unit, so we can't begin soon enough.

Who goes out:

1. Reg: He's simply too slow for a modern defence. He plays well enough against the old time full forward who tries to wrestle for a contested mark, but there aren't that many of those around any more. Reg is contracted through next year. The best thing would be for him to retire this year and we give him a coaching role to compensate for his lost salary.
2. Jake Lloyd: He's been great this year, but is not physical enough for a role in defense. We should play to his strength, which is a link up midfielder who runs hard and to the right spots, makes good decisions, and uses the ball well. He's really our replacement for Macca.
3. Callum Mills: He's good enough to play anywhere, but teams are finding out that he can be exploited physically. He's tough, but too young to be playing as a man on man defender. It's a waste not playing him in the midfield where he can get lots of ball, because he uses it well. Along with Lloyd, our outside game should be much improved.
4. Harry Cunningham: Is too soft for a defensive role and doesn't use his pace enough, his best asset. Harry can play a half forward role now that he's willing to tackle, but is probably not in our best 22.

Who stays or comes in:

1. Rampe: Yes, we really miss him. He's become the heart and soul of our defence. What can we do. He's injured. Things should get a lot better when he returns.
2. Smith: He hasn't had a great year so far, but he's still our best lock down small defender. He's far too young to be at the end of his career. There's not much we can do but hope he finds his best form again. We don't have a natural replacement for him. I was thinking that we could develop Fisher or Ronke into the next small defender. I would even give Florent a shot. He's very evasive, has pace and good skills.
3. Newman: Is one of the best kicks at the Swans. He can take the kick ins. He's quicker than he appears, usually preferring to use his ability to release a handball or kick the ball accurately even under pressure. He should improve with AFL experience.
4. Michael Talia: The Reg replacement. He should be a solid fullback. He's got the size and strength, is a decent kick and is not afraid to take the game on. He's 24 yo, but has only played 31 games. He needs to get a good run of games to develop.
5. Lewis Melican: He's in the side now and hope he stays there. He's quick for a defender, makes quick decisions and kicks well on both sides of his body. At only 20 yo, he could be one of the best key defenders in the game.
6. Aliir: A unique player. I would really like to see him playing through the midfield in due course, but let's get him settled in as a defender first. He will make mistakes, but he's a dynamic player that can hurt other sides with his marking, kicking and run and carry. Is great a ground level for such a big guy. He needs to smooth out the rough parts of his game, but is real weapon wherever he plays. He's also a very vocal player who add energy to the team.
7. Zak Jones: He's my number 1 run and carry choice. With Lloyd and Mills moving to the midfield, Zak would be the one to go back in defence. He's provided a lot of zip coming out defence when he's played there. He would make a good combo with Aliir as 2 dangerous runners from out backline.

Waiting in the Wings:

1. Harry Marsh: He should be able to hold down a spot in defense. If he's good enough, he could allow Rampe or Newman to spend more time through the midfield. Harry has good pace and is a powerful kick. He's been a slow but steady developer, so it's hard to know where his ceiling is.
2. Colin O'Riordan: I really like his game. Is solid in all aspects of the game. He seems a certainty to become a very good AFL player.
3. Jack Maibaum: Looks to be an excellent KPD prospect, who can also play forward. He will probably continue to develop in the NEAFL this year. Maybe will get a game or two. He's a backup for KPD if Talia fails to make it, but can also be the one that allows Aliir to take on a role outside of defence.
4. Alex Johnson: I'm hopeful that he will make a full recovery and follow the path of Dan Menzel and regain the form he once had. It's hard to predict what will happen, but will be a real bonus if he can make a full recovery.
5. Toby Pink: He's showing good signs as a key forward. A KPF is probably the toughest position to succeed in and it's a big step up from the NEAFL to the AFL, but he looks good enough to be a key defender or a ruckman, both positions he has played as a junior. He would be 'my kind of ruckman' in that he can compete in the ruck, has good pace and can be make an impact around the ground.

There you have it. The sooner we start the better. I think we have the personnel to take us forward for many years to come.

I noticed Mills was copping a fair bit physical stuff off the ball on Saturday.

[The Big Cat]

In our successful years we've looked at the team selection each week and read "NO CHANGE". This year for various reasons its been at least four changes per week.(9 or 10 from the GF last year) How can you build a well-oiled machine when crucial components are missing or the new parts are not run-in yet. Remember in 2005 we went for months without a change and the only change from about Round 18 was Bevo for Vogels. This year we have used 34 players! In our good years we wouldn't have used more than 30 in a season.

[rojo]

I agree with this. Adelaide is a great case of how to rebuild a team under extreme adversity. For various reasons they have lost some great players over the past few years, including Tippett (who was highly rated at the time), Phil Davis, Jack Gunston and Dangerfield. They lost their best kicker out of defence in Jaensch, I think due to concussion. Andy Otten, a slow but reliable defender was out for the better part of 2 or 3 years. They lost top draft picks for 2 years due to the Tippett fiasco. Yet they find themselves at the top of the table, the best team in footy atm.

Of course they drafted and traded well, picking up some very good late and rookie draft picks. Think Rory Laird and Atkins. The played Jake Lever from the first year even though he was badly outsized for a defender at the time. They persisted with Kyle Hartigan, who had many poor games over several years, but now he's a very solid defender.

We need to find our core defensive unit of the future by the second half of this year. As noted in the quoted post, we need to have a defensive unit that can move the ball out of defence efficiently. It can be done by efficient kicking or run and carry. Usually a combination of both is best. It takes time to get a back six to work well together as a unit, so we can't begin soon enough.

Who goes out:

1. Reg: He's simply too slow for a modern defence. He plays well enough against the old time full forward who tries to wrestle for a contested mark, but there aren't that many of those around any more. Reg is contracted through next year. The best thing would be for him to retire this year and we give him a coaching role to compensate for his lost salary.
2. Jake Lloyd: He's been great this year, but is not physical enough for a role in defense. We should play to his strength, which is a link up midfielder who runs hard and to the right spots, makes good decisions, and uses the ball well. He's really our replacement for Macca.
3. Callum Mills: He's good enough to play anywhere, but teams are finding out that he can be exploited physically. He's tough, but too young to be playing as a man on man defender. It's a waste not playing him in the midfield where he can get lots of ball, because he uses it well. Along with Lloyd, our outside game should be much improved.
4. Harry Cunningham: Is too soft for a defensive role and doesn't use his pace enough, his best asset. Harry can play a half forward role now that he's willing to tackle, but is probably not in our best 22.

Who stays or comes in:

1. Rampe: Yes, we really miss him. He's become the heart and soul of our defence. What can we do. He's injured. Things should get a lot better when he returns.
2. Smith: He hasn't had a great year so far, but he's still our best lock down small defender. He's far too young to be at the end of his career. There's not much we can do but hope he finds his best form again. We don't have a natural replacement for him. I was thinking that we could develop Fisher or Ronke into the next small defender. I would even give Florent a shot. He's very evasive, has pace and good skills.
3. Newman: Is one of the best kicks at the Swans. He can take the kick ins. He's quicker than he appears, usually preferring to use his ability to release a handball or kick the ball accurately even under pressure. He should improve with AFL experience.
4. Michael Talia: The Reg replacement. He should be a solid fullback. He's got the size and strength, is a decent kick and is not afraid to take the game on. He's 24 yo, but has only played 31 games. He needs to get a good run of games to develop.
5. Lewis Melican: He's in the side now and hope he stays there. He's quick for a defender, makes quick decisions and kicks well on both sides of his body. At only 20 yo, he could be one of the best key defenders in the game.
6. Aliir: A unique player. I would really like to see him playing through the midfield in due course, but let's get him settled in as a defender first. He will make mistakes, but he's a dynamic player that can hurt other sides with his marking, kicking and run and carry. Is great a ground level for such a big guy. He needs to smooth out the rough parts of his game, but is real weapon wherever he plays. He's also a very vocal player who add energy to the team.
7. Zak Jones: He's my number 1 run and carry choice. With Lloyd and Mills moving to the midfield, Zak would be the one to go back in defence. He's provided a lot of zip coming out defence when he's played there. He would make a good combo with Aliir as 2 dangerous runners from out backline.

Waiting in the Wings:

1. Harry Marsh: He should be able to hold down a spot in defense. If he's good enough, he could allow Rampe or Newman to spend more time through the midfield. Harry has good pace and is a powerful kick. He's been a slow but steady developer, so it's hard to know where his ceiling is.
2. Colin O'Riordan: I really like his game. Is solid in all aspects of the game. He seems a certainty to become a very good AFL player.
3. Jack Maibaum: Looks to be an excellent KPD prospect, who can also play forward. He will probably continue to develop in the NEAFL this year. Maybe will get a game or two. He's a backup for KPD if Talia fails to make it, but can also be the one that allows Aliir to take on a role outside of defence.
4. Alex Johnson: I'm hopeful that he will make a full recovery and follow the path of Dan Menzel and regain the form he once had. It's hard to predict what will happen, but will be a real bonus if he can make a full recovery.
5. Toby Pink: He's showing good signs as a key forward. A KPF is probably the toughest position to succeed in and it's a big step up from the NEAFL to the AFL, but he looks good enough to be a key defender or a ruckman, both positions he has played as a junior. He would be 'my kind of ruckman' in that he can compete in the ruck, has good pace and can be make an impact around the ground.

There you have it. The sooner we start the better. I think we have the personnel to take us forward for many years to come.

I like nearly all of the above. However, what can we make of the current seeming loss of mojo and lack of leadership, grit and determination. It was curious that Heeney remarked on the silence out on the field as being a weird experience for him. Of our leadership group Macca, Kizza and Rampe are out at the moment but who of Kennedy, Hanners, Reg, Smithie and Parks are stepping up? We have no one stepping up to the mark as yet - six games in. On Access All Areas (AFl website) it was brought up that Mills who poked his head up last week, was targeted and knocked around all game this week with little intervention and or protection given by his teammates. Going forward this lack of on-field presence is concerning. Even the 'aura' of Buddy seems to be dimming!

[Kirby]

Disharmony?

Hi, I just read somewhere there was an altercation in the rooms after last year's GF. Any truth to this? Is there harmony in the ranks now?

[Markwebbos]

Hi, I just read somewhere there was an altercation in the rooms after last year's GF. Any truth to this? Is there harmony in the ranks now?

I reckon this rumour should have its own thread! Was it on BF?

[ScottH]

Hi, I just read somewhere there was an altercation in the rooms after last year's GF. Any truth to this? Is there harmony in the ranks now?

I heard this as well. It was quashed by someone I know who was in the rooms after the game, but you never know.

[dimelb]

...

Who stays or comes in:

1. Rampe: Yes, we really miss him. He's become the heart and soul of our defence. What can we do. He's injured. Things should get a lot better when he returns.
2. Smith: He hasn't had a great year so far, but he's still our best lock down small defender. He's far too young to be at the end of his career. There's not much we can do but hope he finds his best form again. We don't have a natural replacement for him. I was thinking that we could develop Fisher or Ronke into the next small defender. I would even give Florent a shot. He's very evasive, has pace and good skills.
3. Newman: Is one of the best kicks at the Swans. He can take the kick ins. He's quicker than he appears, usually preferring to use his ability to release a handball or kick the ball accurately even under pressure. He should improve with AFL experience.
4. Michael Talia: The Reg replacement. He should be a solid fullback. He's got the size and strength, is a decent kick and is not afraid to take the game on. He's 24 yo, but has only played 31 games. He needs to get a good run of games to develop.
5. Lewis Melican: He's in the side now and hope he stays there. He's quick for a defender, makes quick decisions and kicks well on both sides of his body. At only 20 yo, he could be one of the best key defenders in the game.
6. Aliir: A unique player. I would really like to see him playing through the midfield in due course, but let's get him settled in as a defender first. He will make mistakes, but he's a dynamic player that can hurt other sides with his marking, kicking and run and carry. Is great a ground level for such a big guy. He needs to smooth out the rough parts of his game, but is real weapon wherever he plays. He's also a very vocal player who add energy to the team.
7. Zak Jones: He's my number 1 run and carry choice. With Lloyd and Mills moving to the midfield, Zak would be the one to go back in defence. He's provided a lot of zip coming out defence when he's played there. He would make a good combo with Aliir as 2 dangerous runners from out backline.

Waiting in the Wings:

1. Harry Marsh: He should be able to hold down a spot in defense. If he's good enough, he could allow Rampe or Newman to spend more time through the midfield. Harry has good pace and is a powerful kick. He's been a slow but steady developer, so it's hard to know where his ceiling is.
2. Colin O'Riordan: I really like his game. Is solid in all aspects of the game. He seems a certainty to become a very good AFL player.
3. Jack Maibaum: Looks to be an excellent KPD prospect, who can also play forward. He will probably continue to develop in the NEAFL this year. Maybe will get a game or two. He's a backup for KPD if Talia fails to make it, but can also be the one that allows Aliir to take on a role outside of defence.
4. Alex Johnson: I'm hopeful that he will make a full recovery and follow the path of Dan Menzel and regain the form he once had. It's hard to predict what will happen, but will be a real bonus if he can make a full recovery.
5. Toby Pink: He's showing good signs as a key forward. A KPF is probably the toughest position to succeed in and it's a big step up from the NEAFL to the AFL, but he looks good enough to be a key defender or a ruckman, both positions he has played as a junior. He would be 'my kind of ruckman' in that he can compete in the ruck, has good pace and can be make an impact around the ground.

There you have it. The sooner we start the better. I think we have the personnel to take us forward for many years to come.

I agree with just about everything you say here Ludwig, but the thought that crossed my mind was "Waiting in the Wings: ...Harry Marsh"

I hadn't thought about it, and I know you see him developing as a defender, but I wonder how he'd go, with those attributes you mention, on a wing. Maybe he could rotate between positions, but I'd like to see him get the chance at using his speed and above-average boot to feed our forwards who at present are starved and wandering too far upfield looking for a feed.

[crackedactor]

I hope the GF altercation was untrue but you never know for sure. The rumour is Tippett had a punch on with Mcglynn (I believe) on a comment Tippett made about going on Holidays which upset several players. Things are still tense and that is why Tippett will not be playing for a few weeks. When a team plays like it did last week, these rumours WILL start.!