CarltonClem wrote:
Mordan,
Quote:
They may be professionals, it might be their job, but it doesn't change the fact that they're human
Being human, is precisely why Carlton under Pagan has failed to get off the bottom of the ladder. Pagan has failed to understand the human personalities behind some of the players. If you're not sure how the game plan works and the other players in the team are not sure how the game plan works, then, the human mind enters the realm of confusion.
I think it's rather simplistic to claim that the players have no skills, poor decision-making etc. (which is true) but fail to understand why they are not improving. If Pagan says that the game is played 90% in the mind, then he's not getting through to them is he? If we are capitulating and have lost the game by the end of the first quarter, what does that show? It shows complete lack of mental strength, complete lack of motivation. Who's job is that? Is it not the coach?
I do not think that Pagan is a very shrewd psychologist, with his comments in the media always directed at the younger players - it seems like his only tactic is to berate them if they lose, and put a lid on it if they win. Pagan's lack of flexibility when dealing with the cattle at his disposal is appalling. Whilst some of the players are poorly skilled, why is there no remedial work done for them? Why are players lacking confidence? Is it because the coach has no confidence in them either?
Mordan, my reaction on the coaching issue is not without merit IMO - I personally think that we have a kids who are capable of playing AFL level football but who haven't had the confidence shown in them (other than Murphy and Kennedy - and even with the latter this is doubtful if we look at how much gametime he's gotten) to be able to feel as though they might actually be improving.
Denis certainly has some tough questions to answer at the end of this year. I'm not defending him, and I think that his approach this season, while an improvement on last year, isn't what CFC need at the moment. I think there must be coaches available next year who will be better for Carlton. But, looking to peg everything on Denis is just scapegoating. It's easy, it might make you feel better, but in the end you're kidding yourself.
You can critise Pagan all you like, and I believe many of the criticisms are valid. Still doesn't make it as simple as all Denis's fault.
CarltonClem wrote:
Pagan's continual talk about getting more elite talent into the club implies that the young players already there aren't elite (this maybe somewhat true) and aren't capable of being relied upon. It's poor people management, to the extent where it's reckless.
Now you're just interpreting things to suit your argument. You really think the kids are going to take it personally when the coach says that the 16th placed team, bottom of the ladder, needs more elite talent? If we've got players who are going to fall apart when they hear a selective grab in the media like that, then we're stuffed. And I dont think we are.
Everyone knows Denis says a whole lot of nothing in interviews. What matters to the kids is what is said to them behind closed doors. I don't know what that is, so I'm not going to judge.
CarltonClem wrote:
On Waite, he's always showed glimpses but it is because of this that we get frustrated with him. He hasn't had a great season (even before his knee injury, he had problems) - and as others have mentioned, seems to be show-ponying a bit. Someone has got to rein him in or we might as well see if any club might give up a decent pick. He also represents something that we have already, a marking forward. His stints in the midfield haven't been great, his disposal is questionable. As I asked, is it a player issue or is it a coaching issue? He is talented and I'd like to keep him but if trading him means we can get something valuable in an area we desperately need help in (like midfield), then he is expendable.
The fact of life is, in the AFL, in 2006 every player is expendable. I think it's sad, but if you want a chance at the top, then there is no longer room for nicities. If someone is willing to offer over the odds in a trade for one of our players, then we'd be silly not to take it. But as soon as we start flogging specific players off because we're frustrated with them, we're going to be the ones offering trades over the odds. Then we start losing out, like we have in the past. We've looked at the small picture, and dudded ourselves over and over. We've traded to fix a specific problem, rather than for value, and it's part of why we're 16th on the ladder (again).
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