It's interesting too see at times like this how we naturally analyse individuals, and in many cases are quick too want too get rid of them.

This is a very frustrating and sensitive time for all supporters who follow the magical Navy Blue.

Criticism is in many cases warranted (constructive criticism), but once we have done that it is important too remember, how would that players skill sets benefit a TEAM.

Example.

Many wish too get rid of Ryan Houlihan, but having said that, how would his skill sets (disposal on both feet) , and general make up, fit into a team that had different players too COMPLIMENT his skills.

Probably would fit in at some stage too some of the top teams, as he would add the extra dimension too there team.

So when we analyse individuals, give them their bakes, (which they deserve at times), stop take a deep breathe and try and hold onto the thought that in 11 weeks, some trading can be done too bring players too the club who can compliment some of the players we have, who treading deep water at the moment can't change their games on their own (unfortunately) too assist a team that is struggling on skill, hardness, and confidence.

Remember:

can they as individuals benefit OUR team from next year if we have the right players around them.

If not, then they definately need to go.

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Supporting the Blues No Matter What

With Houlihan, you don't get rid of players who use the ball pretty good.

If it's one thing we are lacking on our list at the moment, it's players who can use the ball well.

Houlihan is one of the very few.

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Great Post Barnesy could agree more i havnt had too many pot shots yet on who will be retained and who will be axed for that reason ....The players who we will keep will be the ones that we feel compliment the changes that will happen next year..... to dump 7-10 mature players with just kids would deystroy potential kids within 3 rounds they need mature bodies around them they need guidence encouragement ect ...the players who stay on (recycled) will be kept on becuause they may benefit the new structure as temp able bodies to protect the kids or because they will emerge in the new role better ...Maybe thats what Pagan is doin finding which of the recycled players he wants to keep sorting them out now. He may have decided by round 16 and then we may see kids with the players Pagan wants in the last 5 - 6 round. Also the end of the season is good to get the kids in when other teams will be more mentally stuffed and the kids may have a better run than running up against fresh mature bodies at the start of the season. i dont really know if that is the way Pagan is thinkin i can only speculate.

The only player i have really had a shot at is Campo and not because of his playing ability but because of his demeaner and attitude which is to negative to the youger list.. and has discipline problems

Whits / Houla / French /Stevo / T-bird ect will all benefit with proper talent introduction in the future ... next years draft / Trade will be crucial to the Blues in 2006 we need to follow the Tigers path as they have progressed in 2005 and get the right mix of Experience / Gun recruit / talented low draft picks mixed with players who have stepped up.

Agree with PJ in a team that severely lacks skill you don't get rid of one of your better users of the ball.

Especially when 80% of footballers dont use the ball as well as him and in our case only stevens has better foot skills...
Get rid of him???

Yeah right!!!..... Lets bring back Beaumont....

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If I could get a draft pick that would allow me to get a player who was harder at the ball and had equally good footskills then I'd do it, i.e. I'd do it for a reasonably high draft pick i.e. 1st round.

You don't trade players like him normally but we have too many flankers and we need some hard nuts, big bodies and if that's one way of bringing them in, then by all means.

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"A good composer does not initiate. He steals."

- Igor Stravinsky

I've always thought that Houlihan is a scapegoat and now I'm absolutely certain of it..

He can't win in some people's eyes...the fact that he's not the hardest, toughest player going around is enough for some people. Guys, we lack talent as it is. Where's the logic in trading away one of the few examples of genuine TALENT at the club?? Unless you got a deal you simply couldn't resist, why would you trade Houlihan?

His skills are what we need going forward. Look at some of his delivery into the forward line lace out to Fev. His footskills are generally exquisite. He makes the odd mistake as all playmakers do because they take risks. Unfortunately they're generally costly mistakes but that's part of the territory. Quarterbacks in the NFL throw interceptions but they pass for many more significant completions and touchdowns.

I wouldn't trade Houlihan and I hope that the club wouldn't either.

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Formerly Blues-Back2003.

Unfortunately, reality is that to get talent you need to trade it.

I agree he is talented, but if you could get a draft pick that could possibly land a player who might be equally as good, then you'd do it.

But unless that happens, of course he should be going nowhere.

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"A good composer does not initiate. He steals."

- Igor Stravinsky

That player would be Hodge and you wont get a number 1 pick for Houla...

Houllas return is pretty good for what we gave up for him...
He will mature and in my opinion will be close to an elite club player for us..

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That's precisely my point Synbad, I'd do it for a more complete package but until that happens, he shouldn't go anywhere.

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"A good composer does not initiate. He steals."

- Igor Stravinsky

I think we should keep the players that are young enough to see this period through and piss off the others ... and just get as many picks and uncontracted players as we can and get to a point where were competitive for sustained success.
This is a great opportunity to just keep the Fevs and Houllas and build on them so that in 3 or 4 years were actually seriously challenging for a flag with alot of talent and depth.

Trading Houlla would be a mistake as long as he understands what needs to be done and does it.
If you get pick 25 for Ryan youd be lucky to get in a player like Ryan so whats the point???
Our only real tradeable commodity at the moment if he plays another 2 or 3 goodish games is Lance.. cos he can suck in a team into thinking they need him.

Beyond Lance your looking at Fev... and you wouldnt trade Fev no matter what Tim Lane thinks.
Hes worth too much for the club in promotion as well as kicking goals...!!!I wonder when the last time Lane was at the club for family day and saw how many kids and girls as well as young supporters in general want a piece of Fev.... hes loveable!!!!
.. isnt he The Shag????

Anyway.. hes staying...!!!

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Surely you're not suggesting we trade with ourselves!

And we're not going to get a hard nut with a draft pick either. Well, we might, but we'll probably have to wait another 3 or 4 years to find out.

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too true

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R A D I C A L B R O T H E R S

Inspired by the One-Minute Sculptures of Erwin Wurm

"All in all is all we are..."

Well said.

Sometimes I fall for conspiracy theories and believe that DEnis is deliberately avoiding wins by creating stupid moves. We all saw the last quarter against the Swans last week - hardly any move made sense...

but of course Its 99% likely I am wrong.

But the continued use of Houla in the BP seems to be one of these moves. yes, it makes sense that they're trying to teach him to be harder, work harder for the ball, be more accountable. Houlihan himself believes he's working an apprenticeship before moving to a full midfield role.

But he's just not a defender! Corrie ran rings around him. ANd when Houla goes forward, how much better is the delivery?

How much more is this guy a winger / forward than a defender?

Is it a conspiracy or are we just that short of young, fast kids that he has to play back? Or is he in the outer?

Shhh!!!...you're giving away our secret

Leaving Fev on the ground after the 1st qtr....so pl;ayers could kick to him and allow Michael to run it out....Prenda in the ruck...way too long...allowing the opposition loose man in defence....Betts off start of quarters when we are better at getting forward fast.....waiting 10-15 minutes for a kick out after an opposition point so that they can zone....having Livo and T-Bird on the same side to receive the kick out and going for Lappin and sporn against Brown and Notting....Letting Bryan take the kick ins and not having any marking and cumbing option in the square ...(but if they do it...leave Notting there on his own )....
It's all part fo the plan Molsey...haven't you worked out that Synbad is actually Dennis Pagan....

No coincidence they're both talking about end of season picks...they have them in the bag! If we make Dmemetriou sus now, there's a good chance the rules will change...so quite please!

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“Every single element of the Club has to be the best in the league, meticulously and methodically, and only by doing this will we be elite and challenge for number 17.”
Greg Lee

Well I've met Synbad, and he doesn't look like Denis on TV, but I haven't actually met Denis so it could just be bad lighting?

So have I Molsey, ...it's amazing what they can do with digital TV stuff....I saw a "Fox foty vault" show and they had overlayed Bartlett's head on a player that shot out a handpass!

BTW, have you ever seen Synbad and Pagan in the same room....

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“Every single element of the Club has to be the best in the league, meticulously and methodically, and only by doing this will we be elite and challenge for number 17.”
Greg Lee