The Enigmas: Watts and Sylvia

Peter Ryan talks a little bit about Watts and Sylvia's performance against essendon, then he goes on to discuss what opposition assistant coaches do when their players have lost confidence.

I haven't watched the two games for this season so i have no idea if they are actually trying and thinking too much to play well.

The Enigmas: Watts and Sylvia

Peter Ryan talks a little bit about Watts and Sylvia's performance against essendon, then he goes on to discuss what opposition assistant coaches do when their players have lost confidence.

I haven't watched the two games for this season so i have no idea if they are actually trying and thinking too much to play well.

Don't bother - absolute disasters.

The season starts on Saturday.

Sylvia is in his 10th year and was ready to play from day 1. He just hasnt done it.

I am a fan of Watts but he has almost lost me after the first 2 weeks, Not irretrievable. Unlike Sylvia.

I read the articles and it makes some good points. I genuinely think Watts confidence is so low that he is struggling to put in a good performance. Either he needs to go back to VFL to find confidence or Neeld has to grab him and remind him of why he was a number 1 pick. I'd even through him in the middle or the wing and just tell him to get as much of the ball as he can.

Sylvia has always been a frustrating player to watch but while watching the game I kept an eye on him to see whether he looked disinterested or not. I think he is trying but he is being played in the wrong position. Deep forward is just not right for him they should chuck him in the middle from the first bounce. He's got to take on responsibility for once in his playing career.

I really hope they both find form as it would really help us to become a more competitive outfit.

Was at the game sylvia ran all night non stop did any one else note how many times it was in our forward line give the guy a break

i think we have to be winning the ball for Sylvia to be effective

Any chance we can just let Watts roam around the field and make other teams match up on him?

Start him on a wing and then let him float back. If they but a midfielder on him to try and curb influence he may be having, send him forward and isolate him.

He's not a defender, nor is he a KPF. But he is great with ball in his hands. Let him skirt around the edge of packs like Lewis Jetta does for the Swans. Lets get on the offensive and make teams try to stop him in a variety of methods. Its too easy to lock down on his use in the back half, and them isolate him in 1 on 1 contests.

although sylvia in my opinion is brownlow medal type of player if hes on.

I think that Col will hit his stride this year, as will watts.

It's pretty hard to do well, when we DONT TOUCH the ball.

i was astounded by the jeers and booing when Watts was subbed off on the weekend! Yes, he had a pretty ordinary game, but responding like that is not the way to go about it, nor is abusing the players as they walk off the ground after the games as some supporters are doing.

I have no doubt that watts will able to turn his season around, he has shown what heis capable of. imo he has no confidence at the moment and probbably needs a week or two back in casey to rediscover that confidence and form of last year.

Same goes for Sylvia. He would have to be one of the most talented players on our list, if not the most. He has shown glimpses of his best but he continually teases us with it and then goes quiet the next game, he is so frustrating. i don't know what can be done about that (we've had 10 yrs to figue it out) but despite his down games he is still a very valuable player and we should not allow either of these two to slip through our fingers.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/rivals-turn-attention-to-melbourne-talents-jack-watts-and-colin-sylvia/story-e6frepho-1226617677001

I will never forgive this club if they give up on Watts. They must keep him.

although sylvia in my opinion is brownlow medal type of player if hes on.

I think that Col will hit his stride this year, as will watts.

It's pretty hard to do well, when we DONT TOUCH the ball.

Sylvia is a downhill skier. Talented as hell, reads the play well, but has NEVER, EVER performed to his potential when the club is getting flogged.

i was astounded by the jeers and booing when Watts was subbed off on the weekend! Yes, he had a pretty ordinary game, but responding like that is not the way to go about it, nor is abusing the players as they walk off the ground after the games as some supporters are doing.

I have no doubt that watts will able to turn his season around, he has shown what heis capable of. imo he has no confidence at the moment and probbably needs a week or two back in casey to rediscover that confidence and form of last year.

Same goes for Sylvia. He would have to be one of the most talented players on our list, if not the most. He has shown glimpses of his best but he continually teases us with it and then goes quiet the next game, he is so frustrating. i don't know what can be done about that (we've had 10 yrs to figue it out) but despite his down games he is still a very valuable player and we should not allow either of these two to slip through our fingers.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/rivals-turn-attention-to-melbourne-talents-jack-watts-and-colin-sylvia/story-e6frepho-1226617677001

Much of that was Ess supporters

Sylvia is a downhill skier. Talented as hell, reads the play well, but has NEVER, EVER performed to his potential when the club is getting flogged.

What about the Queens Birthday clash a few years ago, I think it was Jack Watts first game. We got flogged and Sylvia got 30+ quality possies. Not standing up for him in general but you can't put him in the same boat as Moloney re disappearing when we need him most.

Much of that was Ess supporters

ok well my mistake then, but either way, booing a player off is a poor effort, no matter how bad they may've been.

Let's not get rid of anymore Senior/seniorish (Watts) players please!

Why do they play sylvia in the forward line when he was trained in the midfield group all summer and then they swing him into the center when we are 80 points down! Start him in the center and leave him there all day!

I blame Neeld for destroying their confidence, and failing to recognise that we primarily needed midfielders not tall forwards. Watts and Sylvia would both be awesome players in good teams. However if you can't get your hands on the ball, these guys skills can't be exploited. We are in real danger of losing both come seasons end. The loss of Watts would almost be a death bell to the MFC. We must get rid of Neeld to give us any hope of holding on to him.

Sylvia will walk at the end of the year. Although then he may be at the club that wont let him coast through,

Watts well his talent is there we just dont see it. I agree with what Neeld said. Watts was virtually set up to fail as a number 1 pick in the way we dragged him out against collingwood and put all this hype around him. The thing is with Jack I think he thinks he can just coast thought on but he is in his 5th season and I thought we would have seen a little more form him. Outsiders say for the sake of his mind get him out of there.

Why do they play sylvia in the forward line when he was trained in the midfield group all summer and then they swing him into the center when we are 80 points down! Start him in the center and leave him there all day!

26 i50s doesn't help.

Clark was in the middle for 4 bounces and had 2 clearances.

If you want the ball enough you can get it, Our midfield is jst crap.

What about the Queens Birthday clash a few years ago, I think it was Jack Watts first game. We got flogged and Sylvia got 30+ quality possies. Not standing up for him in general but you can't put him in the same boat as Moloney re disappearing when we need him most.

Sylvia will probably leave as a free agent, watts may be considered as trade bait, but i would hate to see them trade him unless it was a great deal, still wholeheartedly believe he will come good, as a forward not a loose in defence.

Anyone know if there is truth to James Frawley wanting out pretty badly?

Rusty I agree.

As I said in my post. Not standing up for him in general. It's certainly is a long bow indeed but I still stand by the point I was making.

I think he is gone at years end. Anyway we need his remuneration to lure Prestia to the Dee's :-) although he may not hold out any longer on re-signing with G.C if we don't get this ship on the right track.

yes, get mark williams now. fresh ideas and stern attitude towards slackers.neeld is out of his depth

I blame Neeld for destroying their confidence, and failing to recognise that we primarily needed midfielders not tall forwards. Watts and Sylvia would both be awesome players in good teams. However if you can't get your hands on the ball, these guys skills can't be exploited. We are in real danger of losing both come seasons end. The loss of Watts would almost be a death bell to the MFC. We must get rid of Neeld to give us any hope of holding on to him.

I cant really work out what is going on with either player. they say Jack is still young but his confidence is truly low and he has basically been surrounded by failure.

Colin Sylvia I like the guy and on his day he can break a game open (as a midfielder, not a forward!) but I havent seen that in a while to be honest.

I heard James wanted out twice to the saints. No idea if its accurate.

What I feel like saying to Watts RE his confidence issues:

I blame Neeld for destroying their confidence ...

Because Sylvia was such a mega-star under Bailey?

And ignoring that Watts' best footy ever for the Dees was that middle patch last year before he injured his ankle.