Mark Neeld - On The Couch

[Sir Why You Little 34,430]

I know we all love a tough talker because it's a rarity coming from Melbourne, but what is a common thread at this club for years now, is people coming out in the media, talking a whole lot of sh*t and then delivering pathetic, limp, disgraceful performances.

I'm not a Neeld fan, but that's not to say I won't be. Right now is the time to recognise that we've talked a lot of talk, but our actions have left a lot to be desired.

In all this mess, very few people have actually turned around and said to Neeld "you talk tough, and you seem angry, but you couldn't get your players to do the same".

I was [censored] that he was pleased with our first half, which to me was poor against an average opposition who kept us in the game due to their poor conversation in front of goal. I am still [censored] that he wasn't surprised that we got smashed, yet made no significant moves on the day.

Nothing annoys me more than people who talk up big, arrogantly and confidently, and deliver nothing.

I hope like hell that Neeld can deliver, because if he can, he'll deliver big, but until then, I hope nobody follows blindly his tough approach. I'll buy it when I see it translated on the field. But for as long as we have numerous players not putting their head over the ball, and giving up when it's hot/we're behind/they have a paper cut, then it all means little. I don't even care about winning anymore for now, just about changing this pathetic on field attitude that seems to continuously plague us.

Jaded...The MCC Members was booing the team loudly at 3/4 time...i haven't heard that happen in years..

i get the feeling Mark Neeld knows very well that the supporters will not put up with sh!t anymore...WE paid a lot of $$$ to eradicate the debt, and expect action not words.

But you are right...without results it means nothing....

[Sir Why You Little 34,430]

One thing I look for in a coach, that every major successful coach had, and every major disappointment didn't have... The aura that as a player you're totally afraid of letting him down. That's the bedrock. Be it fear, or love, or respect... the idea that when you come off if you've lost that you're MOSTLY worried about what your coach is going to put you through, how he's going to look at you, or even ignore you in the near future.

If he's a serious premiership coach, he'll have that. So far I'm not seing it... but it's early days. I feel like he's made a positive impression on Watts... that's 50% of his battle right there.

Watts was really focused in that first half...he was ready.

He ran out of gas after half time but that was not his fault....Jack will be fine.

A very different player than the one we originally hoped for, bu maybe better.

[demoniac 1,243]

I thought he performed well on the couch.

He has to make boys into men. That is going to take time. We are coming from a long way back in terms of fitness and game plan.

On a side. By God there are almost more ex players/coaches employed in the media to breathlessly voice their opinions and their opinions on other ex players/coaches opinions than there are current players.

Michael says something 3AW. Its earnestly commented upon by Robert on SEN. Gerard and Mark on AFL360 study it like some revealed truth. Matthew comments on twitter about either Michael's original comment or Roberts comment on the comment or Gerard and Mark's comments on the comments on the comments. Then finally that guy with the glasses from Crocmedia breathlessly makes it a feature story on the Footy Show.

[Return to Glory 7,690]

So far I've made a point of making positive contributions. However, Grant Thomas may be easily subject to criticism but I, too felt uneasy with Neelds press conference. Don't get me wrong - want to like him but I prefer the 'talk softly and carry a big stick' philosophy. All this talk about Melbourne needing to be hard is a one dimensional remedy that is too easily adopted as a cure all when teams are getting flogged. Brisbane beat us through footy smarts and swift ball movement. They pinpointed passes into the forward line and we bombed it in.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

I've really enjoyed this bloke over the last 48 hours

yep the flogging was the best part

[deemad 2]

DONT EXPECT this bunch of afl players to suddenly become elite afl players even malthouse and mathews would take several years to sort out this mess, give the guy and the football department a far go s---t i cannot believe the feeding frenzy from the media and the supporters .

I found Mark Neelds honesty re freshing and he genuinely wants this footy club to be the best in the the afl , but dont expect the players and the coaches to make such a big improvement overnight that we think that finals are a chance for this year even Neeld said he was not suprised by the result he is realistic so is the football department , but what i like about Neeld is his strong conviction he is a very driven man he knows what he wants very focused and will not be side railed or distracted from developing a team that will become disciplined and consistant in their endevour to become an elite football club but it takes time

[Return to Glory 7,690]

Deemad, I just thought he was overly angry at the conference as opposed to breaking down why we lost other than we were pulverised in the centre.

[Supermercado 2,609]

Poor bastard now not only has to coach but have his interview technique put under scrutiny by all and sundry as well. In some ways I miss the days before we got to the next game obsessing about dinky, irrelevant topics online all week.

[Striker475 696]

Jaded...The MCC Members was booing the team loudly at 3/4 time...i haven't heard that happen in years..

You sure it wasn't just me you could hear from the Olympic? I was pretty loud.

[Real Demon 232]

He seemed a little nervous at times, but composed himself well, and got better as things went on.

He actually looked like he had a sore back, and couldn't get comfortable in his seat!

It's been a tough week for the club, and especially him as coach....................a pretty unique set of circumstances for a rookie coach to take on.

He'll get better as he goes along, and having a level head like Craig around is a great resource for him as a new coach.

[demoniac 1,243]

So far I've made a point of making positive contributions. However, Grant Thomas may be easily subject to criticism but I, too felt uneasy with Neelds press conference. Don't get me wrong - want to like him but I prefer the 'talk softly and carry a big stick' philosophy. All this talk about Melbourne needing to be hard is a one dimensional remedy that is too easily adopted as a cure all when teams are getting flogged. Brisbane beat us through footy smarts and swift ball movement. They pinpointed passes into the forward line and we bombed it in.

Are you sure after one game that you have nailed Neeld's game plan?

I loved his presser. The reality is that he has inherited a team that was not elite AFL level fit and had a woeful defensive ethos and an outdated game plan.

Did you see the examples Paul Roos showed - which Neeld says were some of the same clips he showed the players during the review - of Melbourne players letting a Lions player waltz through a ball up or failing to kill a contest in defence even though we had the numbers. A goal resulted.

Every Melbourne supported who walked out of the G should have been in a similarly bad mood to Neeld.

He can't do it every week but for a club that has not won a flag for almost 50 years a bit of public and pointed anger when players fail to do the basic hard nosed professional thing was most welcome.

Edited April 2, 2012 by demoniac

[Yossarian 1,808]

Once again, left wishing there was a dislike button.

[deemad 2]

Return to glory i know where you are coming from but reading between the lines what i picked up from a few of his comments that Neeld put a lot of faith in his players first up and he was extremelly dissapointed spilling over to anger .

he made a comment on the couch that if he had his way again he would do it differently he blames Craig Neil for not getting to him before the conference and brief him on what not to say bit of tongue and cheek but may be some underlying truth he will get better .

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I just saw the interview then, a couple of notes:

When asked by Gerard Healy for a rough synopsis of the game plan (for the Melbourne supporters) he avoided it. Some what unsurprisingly but at least a rough idea as suggested by Healy would have been nice.

It was also put to him that Melbourne didn't have any game changers (stars if you will) and I got the impression although he said there were a "handful of players" that the coaches needed to develop into stars, overall I don't think he rates the list all that highly in that regard. Possibly he feels some high draft picks have been wasted? I don't know, pure speculation on my behalf.

Overall, the questions were good, the responses were as you expect, just a little more confidence for the supporters would be good.

[deemad 2]

I don't think Neeld took on the job because of the senior players, but more so, he saw the potential in the up and coming younger brigade. Remember, he did have a chance to go to another club. Hope what he sees in our list comes to fruitition .

[Bonkers 913]

One observation of mine is that he seems honest almost to a fault, hard nosed, confronting & some times aggressive which I like. The reason I like these things is because they are the charecteristics of elite competitors & winners. The character of premiership players often reflects or mirrors the coach, if Neeld doesn't see these traits in his players they will not be at the club. That is my impression of Neeld & I hope the club has the conviction to back him when the questions will inevitably be asked.

[Guest Dr Who]

Loved it I was very impressed - loved the cold hard tag question - wonder where they got that from - welcome to MFC Mark.

[Swampfox 190]

I am not interested in being a media critic like some of you

I am happy to have Neeld in charge

Rather he be himself than some generic robotic coach

[jumbo returns 6,486]

yep the flogging was the best part

Fair enough - but didn't you get a sense of urgency? Of a ticking mind? Of someone who knows what it takes on all levels? I did.

[DEEmolished 0]

Watched it last night, very honest interview. My two year old has a better time sitting still though!

[old dee 22,819]

Neeld could have been rubbish and it wouldnt change a thing in my eyes. Actions on field is the only yard stick that i'll measure him on. At this stage his still all talk

100% agreement from me DemonWA

I purposely did not watch last night because I am over talk by the MFC.

Actions are all I am interested in and so far the 2012 season is an E.

I hope it improves but I am not holding my breath

[Guest Jackie]

He needs a cup of well brewed camomile tea(unsweetened) 20 minutes before he fronts an interview.

[Goodvibes 3,596]

100% agreement from me DemonWA

I purposely did not watch last night because I am over talk by the MFC.

Actions are all I am interested in and so far the 2012 season is an E.

I hope it improves but I am not holding my breath

You purposely didn't watch an interview with our coach because you're over the talk by the MFC but then clicked on a thread focused on what was said in that same interview? Interesting. I lapped it up. Any opportunity to get an insight into the way our new coach thinks about the game is fascinating given the importance he will obviously play in what we hope is our next premiership. I would certainly have approached many things differently to him but as a student of 'leadership' with some coaching experience, I'm fascinated to see if his approach will get the 'buy in' from the players that so many in the media are talking about. He seems almost 'old school' in his treatment of players and seemingly even his gameplan but as I've been at pains to point out on this forum of late, we tend to look at things in black and white. Either you're a boundary line team or a corridor team. Either you're possession team or a bomb it long team. Either you're a hands-on man manager of a coach or you're autocratic and disciplined. I'm looking forward to Neeld revealing exactly where he stands and observing the grey when it emerges.

[praha 10,270]

Neeld could have been rubbish and it wouldnt change a thing in my eyes. Actions on field is the only yard stick that i'll measure him on. At this stage his still all talk

I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

[old dee 22,819]

You purposely didn't watch an interview with our coach because you're over the talk by the MFC but then clicked on a thread focused on what was said in that same interview? Interesting. I lapped it up. Any opportunity to get an insight into the way our new coach thinks about the game is fascinating given the importance he will obviously play in what we hope is our next premiership. I would certainly have approached many things differently to him but as a student of 'leadership' with some coaching experience, I'm fascinated to see if his approach will get the 'buy in' from the players that so many in the media are talking about. He seems almost 'old school' in his treatment of players and seemingly even his gameplan but as I've been at pains to point out on this forum of late, we tend to look at things in black and white. Either you're a boundary line team or a corridor team. Either you're possession team or a bomb it long team. Either you're a hands-on man manager of a coach or you're autocratic and disciplined. I'm looking forward to Neeld revealing exactly where he stands and observing the grey when it emerges.

I will say it again Actions are all I interested in!