Don't sit on the fence.

What are your expectations for a coach?

IMHO The ideal coach should identify and implement a philosophy which suits the circumstances of the club and be consistent with it.
There are varying interested parties with varying agendas but a strong coach will stick to his guns.

In my opinion, a development coach is our perfect fit.
Wins are nice and consistent form from senior players is great but development and education of our kids is crucial.

I fear our kids have been severely compromised in their development.
The right to make decisions, be creative and exposed to a multi facetted game style walked out the door the day Pagan walked in.

In his first pre season, Pagan totally reprogrammed the players to play a "direct, efficient, collision brand of football"
If a player changed direction in the backline, he stopped them, if a player handballed outside the corridor to a running player, he stopped them. If a player kicked short to a leading forward, he stopped them.
He removed any decision making from the players.

For the first 2 years we played a regimented, low possession game of football that intentionally stifled creativity.

We are now suffering the consequences.
Pagan has finally realised that a significant change of gamestyle is required but the players are not conditioned to adapt.
They struggle with decision making. They lack creative impulses.
You cant stifle a players offensive development and then flick it on a like a light switch.

We bemoan our kick out strategies. We get frustrated when players make foolish decisions.
Where is the development?

Go watch our players train. They are totally restructuring a game style which they had drummed in to them for 2 years.
Whilst we are totally restructuring, other teams are fine tuning.
We spend little time on kick outs and set plays.
We're too busy trying to catch up with the basics.

When we do work on set plays, we are trying to devise our own kickouts. We dont have time to structure up for our opponents kickouts.
There isnt enough time.

This stuff should have been part of their development since 2003.
Instead we have totally reprogrammed the way our players think and play football and then tried to change them back.
There"s been no opportunity to work on any intricacies.

Our training is second rate. It has nothing to do with facilities. It's about intellectual stimulation.
Denis Pagan does drills with 6 backs playing on 6 forwards.
How often does that happen in a game?
Watch Barry Mitchell train the Bullants and 4 backs play on 2 forwards. The midfielders are required to improvise, think their way through an adverse situation and make decisions.
Can they spot a forward who is outnumbered? Can those forwards make space for each other?
That is indicative of true match conditions.
That is development.

Development is about making the most of the time available. Offering as much relevant information to players to accelerate their development.
The damage to our players isnt just about today. It's not about yesterday.
It's about realising how much development our players are missing and preventing it happening tomorrow.

Well, that's something I've never been accused of.
Perhaps I'm mellowing.



I wrote this earlier this year.
I believe Pagan was negligent in his development coaching prior to this year.
To give him credit, this year he has implemented a game plan suited to our physical capabilities and given kids opportunities.
Full credit to him but it doesnt absolve him from the previous 3 years.

I thought my views were well known on this?

Sitting on the fence hey?

There are certain things I'd like ALL our players to be developing in like shepherding, tackling and kickouts but whether that's in the seniors, Bullants or on the track I'm not fussed. That, to me is crucial to our development but when it comes to whether player A should be playing seniors or not I have no idea.

So he can develop kids. I am glad you have made it clear and not to concise.

How much input did Pagan have into Marc Murphy?

In the specific cases of Sporn and Livo, you need only look at the injuries they've had to work out why everything hasn't gone to plan since they arrived at the club, and then look at theory behind why they were drafted as to why it was never going to work.

Of our players under 22 who would you have in the seniors and who would you have in the Bullants at the moment?

However, I firmly believe our players have suffered from his regressive approach of 2003/4 and I cant forgive that.

Some recruited, some developed but there's no doubt that the list was depleated so much by previous coaches that it has taken this long to fix the problems.

Yep, lets play Marc Murphy for every game and see how he goes

However, I firmly believe our players have suffered from his regressive approach of 2003/4 and I cant forgive that.

I'll type this for you slowly so hopefully you understand.
My post clearly stated



There are many factors that effect the development of players.



No.1 Blue's post was based on ONE player. That is the exact point I was trying to rebuke Einstein.

Glen Bowyer
Brett Johnson
Daniel Harford
Laurie Angwin
Steven Kenna
David Clarke
Mick Martyn
Jason Saddington
Callum Chambers
Jordan Bannister
Ricky Mott

I see your point. Denis could really show them how to fix a list.
2 + 2 hey?

Just point out to the rest of us what those players cost us in terms of draft picks. Were they top 10?? Top 20?? TOP 30!!!

No that's right they couldn't have been, could they?

Again - 4

I could give you a younger player that was available to draft for nearly every one of them.
Younger and better.

I'd like to see how many there are and who got them and what type of players they are. It's easy for recruiters to take a punt on pick 70 when they've got all the top 4 picks in the bag, huh?

Very easy to take a punt on a Davey when McLean's already locked in.

I agree with your post GWS, I think the mix is pretty good. The promotion of Jesse Smith was timely and I would like to see Livo given the last few games.

Apart from that, I believe Denis has done well and I've given him credit for that this year. I would however like to see the kids get a bit more time, especially JR.

There is no doubt that Denis has changed enormously this year. His willingness to play kids and to institute a "contemporary" game plan is refreshing and overdue. Full credit to him.
However, I firmly believe our players have suffered from his regressive approach of 2003/4 and I cant forgive that.

Excuses, excuses.
Sometimes footy clubs have to show courage.

"Ooooh, we cant take him because we dont have him locked in", what nonsense.

There were quality kids available for every one of those spots on the list. Denis took the easy option.