Why the heck did we recruit Brian Royal back!?

[dazzledavey36 49,723]

our midfield is seriously puss! tigers and saints did the right thing by giving him the flick!

[deeflog 679]

this is the guy i have firmly in my gun, not up to it in my eyes

[Range Rover 1,935]

We're stuck with him until his contract is done (end of this season???).

Agree though. Get someone in who actually played in premiership midfields and knows what they're doing.

[Allen Jakovich 516]

Midfield is letting the team down massively.

Has to go.

[diesel 420]

Do they coach them to leave one side of the stoppages full of our opponents?

Whoever devised this game plan should be out of a job.

[Guest José Mourinho]

Why did we get Brian Royal back?

Well, we needed SOMEONE to blame for these losses...

Webjet.

Edited April 14, 2012 by José Mourinho

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,086]

Yeah good point.

[Little Richard 5,932]

There is just no contest 9 time out of 10 at the stoppages, the opposition are winning clearances with no resistance and it has happened every game so far. Just makes me sick, Royal has no idea and never has - our midfield has been a piece of shite for years.

[Guest José Mourinho]

Bate has been tried there, and I know it's early, but I really don't think he's up to it.

Mind you, he's not alone.

Webjet.

Edited April 14, 2012 by José Mourinho

[DirtyDees DDC 171]

Did Richmond win EVERY centre clearance in the 3rd quarter? I think they won 10 zip. That's awful.

I felt sorry for our defence - they had no hope.

[Outside fifty 967]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Royal is coaching poison. Last year he crucified our defence after Wellman had built up a good defensive unit. This year he has turned his attention to our midfield. The results speak for themselves.

[Jordie_tackles 354]

Coached the defence and turned it into [censored] then gets given an average midfield and somehow makes it worse than it was.......

seriously, he has the opposite to midas touch

[DirtyDees DDC 171]

We also suffered because Magner had a poor match - only 9 disposals for the game.

[Demon Dynasty 16,261]

Bate has been tried there, and I know it's early, but I really don't think he's up to it.

Mind you, he's not alone.

Webjet.

I even saw Morton in there at one point. IF that's a "Royal Decision" ...to me that's an automatic termination of services. We got smashed in the middle in the 2nd half, just as we did against Brisbane.

Both mediocre opposition at best and we rolled.

And to leave Couch out today is just unforgivable. As much as i admire Tappy, he aint no mid fielder....yet. Certainly hadn't earned his place in the team ahead of Couch to this point and seemed off the pace. Not saying Couch would have made a massive difference to the result, but FGS Demons, reward performance where its been earned would ya!

On your bike Brian!!!

Edited April 14, 2012 by Rusty Nails

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,086]

Yeah I think I saw Morton in there as well but I got the feeling that was more panic desperation than anything else - if i was an opponent who saw players like Bate, etc in the midfield you just know we are getting desperate. it was only last year that I heard Dean Bailey talking about our midfield depth...

Gysberts is a shining light for the future and Viney will hopefully reach his full potential, but midfield is our biggest weakness and there are no real quick fixes for that.

[Guest José Mourinho]

Yep, my confidence would go right up seeing Bate or Morton opposing me in the centre square.

[Binmans PA 26,648]

The way we set up at stoppages is an absolute joke. Most of the time Jamar is not in sync with the rest of his followers. Meanwhile, we crave a speedy outside mid, with silky skills. Easier said than done.

Tappy was off the pace today, but hopefully better for the run. He will be an asset to the midfield, but probably better as a wingman or back flanker with those kicking skills.

I concur. Royal is horrid and must be given the flick (if we had a better replacement - any suggestions?).

[Gorgoroth 12,430]

At years end I would be talking to Simon Black and asking what he is doing.

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,086]

Or hope that GWS delist Junior...

[Jordie_tackles 354]

Or hope that GWS delist Junior...

im pretty sure he is already a part time coach at GWS

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

We exempt Neeld from blame for the debacle but we bake Royal when he has absolute dross (excluding Jones) to work with.

Demonland at its best.

[Maldonboy38 6,092]

We exempt Neeld from blame for the debacle but we bake Royal when he has absolute dross (excluding Jones) to work with.

Demonland at its best.

I am not exempting Mark Neeld. But our midfield work is even worse than the Suns, and Royal is our man. Surely he has some serious questions to answer.

[Demon Dynasty 16,261]

We exempt Neeld from blame for the debacle but we bake Royal when he has absolute dross (excluding Jones) to work with.

Demonland at its best.

Who said we've totally exempted Neeld? Haven't seen anyone say that on this thread till you. Are you a mind reader now Rhino??

The argument's more complex than "Just Neeld" and i can't see what's wrong with putting the spotlight on the individual charged with job of looking after the area of the game that we've failed in severely so far this year, especially against middle of the road opponents in Brisbane and Richmond.

From what's been dished up so far, it appears we've gone backwards in this area this year. Should've been capable of at least maintaining the mid field at some level of competitiveness for 3 to 4 quarters against mediocre (or sub par) opposition.

Rhino....at his best

Edited April 14, 2012 by Rusty Nails

[Demon Dynasty 16,261]

Or hope that GWS delist Junior...

I had a dream that Gold Coast delisted Junior!!!

[DemonOX 8,555]

Bailey brought him back to the club. Thanks for that another great Bailey decision!