I don`t care if were a team in the making or watever ppl say.......... If we can`t do the simple skill drills like kicking, marking, handballing, filling the hole and sticking on a man, hitting targets, decision marking!! The skill level is shameful, Half the time it`s the players with 100 games plus that makes the simple errors... Its just going to snowball onto the younger players if its not fixed.. Hawthorn have a younger squad than us, and they seem to be going ok.. Youth shouldn`t be an excuse, It`s not like the young have never kicked a football before!! Who`s our skills coach by the way?

I agree in part with this - there's no point stating that we're "a young side, you've got to expect poor skills" if the older leaders skill levels are the ones that are pathetic.

Its fair to say we need more quality players in the team

Its fair to say we need more quality players in the team

is it fair to say that our coach is not coaching? im not seeing much difference to when daniher was head coach.

Is it possible that DB will be our coach through these shyt years, then we will go for another coach (viney) when we are ready to strike, much like how carlton have done?

is it fair to say that our coach is not coaching? im not seeing much difference to when daniher was head coach.

Is it possible that DB will be our coach through these shyt years, then we will go for another coach (viney) when we are ready to strike, much like how carlton have done?

Im really starting to lose faith in DB too. We just arent improving at all. And he doesnt seem to have any tricks up his sleeve except for time, which will quickly run out if this continues.

I have been harping on about our poor skills for a few years now. Sick of repeating it.

On the positive side I thought our endeavour was good and Meesen has improved.

Melbourne FC skill level is improving and today against Port was an example of how its improving.

Melbourne FC skill level is improving and today against Port was an example of how its improving.

your joking aren't you???

our decision making is pathetic though, the number of times we kick or handball to a guy standing still or is surrounded by 3 opposition players is driving me nuts

Melbourne FC skill level is improving and today against Port was an example of how its improving.

The only problem i have with this is, why were they so bad in the first place? I mean we look like a VFL side sometimes. We (as supporters) can't baby this side too much, the pressure needs to be on all the time.

your joking aren't you???

our decision making is pathetic though, the number of times we kick or handball to a guy standing still or is surrounded by 3 opposition players is driving me nuts

That is a symptom of our lack of fitness and speed for players to keep pushing either forward or back and run to a space to create an option. Admittedly Bailey has to work on drilling these players on when and where to run to as well.

your joking aren't you???

our decision making is pathetic though, the number of times we kick or handball to a guy standing still or is surrounded by 3 opposition players is driving me nuts

Yeah, but when we are rebounding out of defence we look much more composed and confident, but I think in the first 3 games we have shown signs that our skills and decision making have improved but at other times we have shown we are still the same team that won just 3 games in 2008.

Melbourne FC skill level is improving and today against Port was an example of how its improving.

It is not skill level that is improving, it is our ability to execute skills under pressure and our ability to execute the gameplan, which, when done properly, will alleviate said pressure.

That's not to say that Bailey's gameplan is the best suited to our players, or even that it is good, just that this is what any gameplan would be designed to do.

Our players seem to be slowly getting it. Whether this gameplan is worth persevering with will only be evident once we can see the gameplan executed for a full 4 quarters.

It all starts at the top.

Have a look at the skills of our Vice Captin, who also happens to be our highest paid player.

hardly anything for the kids to look up to.

is it fair to say that our coach is not coaching? im not seeing much difference to when daniher was head coach.

Is it possible that DB will be our coach through these shyt years, then we will go for another coach (viney) when we are ready to strike, much like how carlton have done?

Just quietly - very VERY possible. I'll say no more.

Our skills aren't good, but they are not as bad as you are making out -- the problem is the pressure that our players are under when trying to execute their skills, mostly pressure they manage to put themselves under.

Our senior players should be leading the way in this area, but unfortunately we have senior players like Cameron 'handball-at-my-teammate's-feet' Bruce showing the way.

More than anything we need our mature experienced players to display cool heads & to not crumble under pressure; they do not do that, exacerbating the situation.

It all starts at the top.

Have a look at the skills of our Vice Captin, who also happens to be our highest paid player.

hardly anything for the kids to look up to.

See above post - I'm with you on this.

Our senior players should be leading the way in this area, but unfortunately we have senior players like Cameron 'handball-at-my-teammate's-feet' Bruce showing the way.

Couldnt have said it better.

If we make one simple change - In Maric, Out Bruce - the team will improve tenfold.

If we make one simple change - In Maric, Out Bruce - the team will improve tenfold.

Maric would be great - if fit.

Its important to remember that he hasn't just missed a few weeks with injury, he has missed the opportunity to build a serious fitness base through a full pre-season.

I think he needs more time.

Thoroughly looking forward to Maric taking the field again.....

Doesn't matter when it happens tho.... The wait will be well worth it.... The kid can play footy!!!