I see no reason at all why Bailey's performance shouldn't be questioned or debated. I've cut him slack, but it's hard to commend much of what I've witnessed in 08. We were the worst performed team since Fitzroy in 1996 and yet some on here think that it's sacriligious to query Bailey's performance.

How anyone could think that the jury isn't 'still out' is beyond me. Even his wildest supporters couldn't have much to hang their hat on. He might become a marvellous coach, but how would anyone presently know? Basically he did what anyone would do with the MFC list and what every supporter wanted (or should have). He played kids and shelved older players well past their best. I don't think he's done anything earth shattering. Like all others I'm hoping to see genuine improvement next year and he'll have my support until there's concrete evidence that he's unable to implement, or communicate a quality gameplan executed by dedicated players. He probably has a valid argument for a cast iron 3 year contract, but I'll want to see incremental improvement next year to be sure we've got the right bloke. He talks the talk ok, but I'll want to see some yards gained.

One thing is for certain. Come 09 the honeymoon period will be well and truly over. And rightfully so.

I agree with this in principle but one thing I believe that Bailey should be given credit for is putting his arse on the line in the following ways.

He has exposed inexperienced kids when he could have selected veterans. The kids were and unknown quantity and are prone to losing the plot in a game and getting thrashed. Playing the older blokes may have stemmed the thrashings.

He has not made excuses for his or the teams performances. He has not tried to deflect responsibility.

He has made decisions with the long term view of the club at heart rather than basing his decisions around his success as a coach in the short term.

Whether he is going to be successful with his plan remains to be seen.

A one or two year contract for a coach in our situation would have been a terrible idea. It would force a coach to attempt to rush results and be more inclined to mediocrity rather than have a long term premiership view.

two steps back, three steps forward.

I see no reason at all why Bailey's performance shouldn't be questioned or debated. I've cut him slack, but it's hard to commend much of what I've witnessed in 08.

He might become a marvellous coach, but how would anyone presently know ? Basically he did what anyone would do with the MFC list and what every supporter wanted (or should have). He played kids and shelved older players well past their best. I don't think he's done anything earth shattering. Like all others I'm hoping to see genuine improvement next year and he'll have my support until there's concrete evidence that he's unable to implement, or communicate a quality gameplan executed by dedicated players.

One thing is for certain. Come 09 the honeymoon period will be well and truly over. And rightfully so.

Fair points H and a balanced assessment. No one is doubting the difficulties he has been through. But you are right there must be improvement in 2009 from the team and a number of players.

"I'll go on record now and say that Bailey won't be coach in 2010. Given our financial position, the board won't tolerate another season like 2008."

You would gift the club its fourth coach in four years? Seriously?

Given the financial position of the Club, I think the Board will struggle to find the bucks to pay him out if it did indeed decide to do it. Amazing.

"I'll go on record now and say that Bailey won't be coach in 2010. Given our financial position, the board won't tolerate another season like 2008."

You would gift the club its fourth coach in four years? Seriously?

We had 3 coaches from 1986 - 2007. Carlton had 4 coaches from 1978 - 1981, and won 2 premierships.

In the history of world sport, there is nothing to prove that changing a coach is detrimental to a club. Classic case is Tottenham. Didn't look like winning a game 2 weeks ago, sacked their coach, who'd had some success in previous seasons, and have since won 2 and drawn 1, against the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal.

Sometimes coaches just can't get the message across.

We had 3 coaches from 1986 - 2007. Carlton had 4 coaches from 1978 - 1981, and won 2 premierships.

In the history of world sport, there is nothing to prove that changing a coach is detrimental to a club. Classic case is Tottenham. Didn't look like winning a game 2 weeks ago, sacked their coach, who'd had some success in previous seasons, and have since won 2 and drawn 1, against the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal.

Sometimes coaches just can't get the message across.

Sorry mo but you're clutching at straws there.

The premierships that Carlton purchased back then were when there was free trade. Sides these days are built. Very different situation.

I suppose Clarkson and Thompson should have been sacked after their first year for not being able to get their message across? There is only one way for this club to win a premiership and that is with the long term view. The same view that messrs clarkson and thompson had.

You down modify your gameplan down to your skill level, thats a silly notion. You build your skill level to the level required to play the game plan that will win a premiership.

Modifying a gameplan might minimise damage in the short term and may get you a few more wins and or reduce the shellaquings but wont win you a premiership.

Far too early to call on Bailey but he appears to be following the modern prototype of building a team from the ground up ala hawthorn/geelong.

&&& from the backline, forward.

We had 3 coaches from 1986 - 2007. Carlton had 4 coaches from 1978 - 1981, and won 2 premierships.

In the history of world sport, there is nothing to prove that changing a coach is detrimental to a club. Classic case is Tottenham. Didn't look like winning a game 2 weeks ago, sacked their coach, who'd had some success in previous seasons, and have since won 2 and drawn 1, against the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal.

Sometimes coaches just can't get the message across.

Mate, Juande Ramos had some success too when he started after Martin Jol was sacked.

The Liverpool game i give them credit for, but against arsenal... that was not only freakish, but a lot of the blame must go to the gunners for being soft.

2 games do not a season make. If Bailey had won his first 3 games last season then finished at the same spot, would it make any difference?

I still take my hat off to Harry Redknapp though.

But football is a different game to AFL.

We need to develop our lists, not buy a list of established players as is done in the Premier League.

For young developing players that are trying to learn the game, the instability of changing coaches and strategies cannot be a good thing.

A lot of you guys are forgetting Bailey came in late 2007. The list management had been chosen. Judge Bailey in 12 Months from now after he has been in charge of a full cycle. To do so Beforehand is a dangerous Practise.Would Hate to get rid of a good coach too early.

I really wish that Bailey would play with at least a 5-man forward line and instruct them to play as forwards, not midfielders.

Even though we were woefully bad through the midfield last year, you still need to have a forward line to kick the ball to. Too many times last year we would have the ball on centre wing and look up to see 3 unmanned defenders ahead of us, which creates all the sideways handball, then the turnover. It wasn't a defensive tactic, it was entirely negative and I left the MCG feeling sick to the stomach on more than one occasion last season.

The one smart thing the club did was wait until October to send out membership renewal info, because if I had received it during August it would have been torn up. But time heals and they've sucked me in for at least another year.

Please Bailey at least give us a forward line this season.