Here is a good article from todays's Hun...It seems that although we are 1-2 people are slowly starting to respect us again...We are no longer a rabble, but a team on the rise...

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,18830217%255E19762,00.html

Amazing how the Hun is putting up good Carlton stories now...

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yep, they sure seem more positive over the last few weeks.

is that becuase we are playing decent footy for the first time in a few years or that we almost went exclusive with the Age.

i will let the conspiracy buff's amongst us discuss that.

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Got to love the stare Down by Setanta on Llyod

Since the season has started we have not given them an opportunity to lay the boots in.

I'm not fully convinced it's the case. We were pretty competitive inthe first 6-8 weeks last year - i ncluding holding the previous year's Premiers to a draw on their home turf, and we fell away very badly after that.

The only real difference in terms of results (although in reality processes and personnel have changed and matured) are the Wiz Cup victory last year vs a more low-key approach this year.

I would certainly love to think that the current approach will continue throughout the season, but the prospect of a fall-away - especially if some of these early efforts don't translate into points - still worries me.

Ponkstar you've got a look at what the results are built on even if we have missed out on some points. The last two seasons, we needed Kouta, Whitnall, Stevens, Lappin, Fev all playing out of their skins to snatch a win.

I wouldn't put Kouta in our top 10 players so far this season. We're getting close on the back of Simmo, Murphy, Walks, Bentick an co. Lappin didn't even play on Saturday and we almost be the premeirs for heavens sake.

Sure Fev, and Whitnall and Stevo are all still important. And we may tire as the season goes on the way all young teams do. But where I'm standing there is a broader spread of effort and talent this season than there has been for about 3 years I think.

If we can't win at least 2 of the next four I'll be dissapointed. A little help from the injury Gods would be handy at this point.

Best according to the Hun were: M Murphy N Stevens A Bentick E Betts R Houlihan K Simpson.

Other than Stevens, none of our senior players that we usually rely on are mentioned. Shows the younger guys are stepping up now.

Last year, if we'd been 5 goals down, as we have last 2 weeks, it would have turned into a blowout. This year we're fighting back & haven't lost a game by more than 15 points. We've won the last half in both our losses. If we can keep doing that and stay competitive we can be confident we can match it with any team.

FWIW I think you're right on all counts.

It's hard to let oneself be too confident these days though I guess....

Glass is definitely half-full though ATM