The enigmas: Watts and Sylvia

[Yossarian 1,820]

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 think it's a case of what senior midfielders were available? We made plays for Wellingham and Ray but one of them decided on WC and the other St Kilda didn't want to trade.

From the young guys, we picked up 2 potentially elite young midfielders, one promising half-forward/midfielder, and two rookie midfielders. Plus Dom Barry who at the moment is a winger with x-factor.

Who do you suggest we should've picked up instead? Chris Knights or Koby Stevens?

[spirit of norm smith 16,588]

agree ... hard to know Col was only put in midfield in 3rd qtr (was frozen in haf fwd line for 1st two quarters)

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!

[Guest rednblue4life]

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.

That very game desroyed Watts, should never have played

[Pitchy 196]

Watts is fine! Took Tomahawk longer and that was in a super team. Watts was getting his 25-30 silky touches across half back late last year. The whole team has been lost these first two weeks. Sylvia is another case altogether... sadly.

But Watts is a young tall supertalent who we need to keep faith in.

Edited April 11, 2013 by Demonstrative

[jazza 1,323]

agree agree agree, dont kill young men mark williams and brett ratten would nuture him and bring him back to being a confident young player

Watts is fine! Took Tomahawk longer and that was in a super team. Watts was getting his 25-30 silky touches across half back late last year. The whole team has been lost these first two weeks. Sylvia is another case altogether... sadly.

But Watts is a young tall supertalent who we need to keep faith in.

[Weedster 174]

Watts is fine! Took Tomahawk longer and that was in a super team. Watts was getting his 25-30 silky touches across half back late last year. The whole team has been lost these first two weeks. Sylvia is another case altogether... sadly.

But Watts is a young tall supertalent who we need to keep faith in.

Agree. He's down on confidence and the coaching solution is to drag him. How about building him up ? Play him in the middle, play him up forward - make a move. Seems like the coaches are a bit like startled rabbits at the moment. Overplaying the tough love card IMHO

[Pipefitter 2,168]

Watts is not fine. He's a spud. We have to come to grips with this. He isn't strong enough to beat Toby Greene in a marking contest, and can't get a touch as a spare man.

[daisycutter 29,738]

That very game desroyed Watts, should never have played

Rubbish

I agree he was played for the wrong reasons and shouldn't have been played, but it didn't destroy him.

people just want to like for nice simple reasons

[whatwhat say what 22,942]

What pipefitter said.

Someone should do a poll as to which one, both, or neither will be at the club beyond this season.

[jumbo returns 6,741]

What pipefitter said.

Someone should do a poll as to which one, both, or neither will be at the club beyond this season.

Sadly, Rangey is no more....

[bjDee 1,249]

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.

Sorry GNF - have to disagree with this line that several people put forward. Regardless of the team they are in I think Watts will always be soft and Sylvia will struggle to fit into the team discipline and structure. In a good team they would both struggle to make the cut and would be fringe players at best.

[Deecisive 1,709]

Sadley our team plays soft football, look at the number of tackles we make, we go out of our way to run beside the opposition player rather than tackle. Freo is currently playing Essendon and showing how to play hard football, the style we should be playing. If an opposition player grabs the ball, he has to know he has to get rid of it in .5 of a second or else he will get flattened, or tackled. That is the type of game we need to play.

[Jack Jack Tappy 112]

Sorry GNF - have to disagree with this line that several people put forward. Regardless of the team they are in I think Watts will always be soft and Sylvia will struggle to fit into the team discipline and structure. In a good team they would both struggle to make the cut and would be fringe players at best.

You seriously have no idea! When Trenners struggles will it be the same, and Frawley, and what if Grimes falls off the perch? This coach has completely destroyed these kids confidence. He is now coming out with "we have to take care of the players", he hasn't dont that for 18 months.

[bjDee 1,249]

Think you missed my point. I'm talking about Watts and Sylvia who have hardly ever taken the game on in several years, not Neeld's coaching and whatever effect that is having.

[whatwhat say what 22,942]

I watch Hurley and weep.

[Chook 15,022]

I watch Hurley and weep.

He's not that bad!

[Dynamic Demon 17]

I watched with interest David Kings assessment of Watts for the 1st two games and in particular against Sydney. I respect his opinion rather than that of the arm chair critics here. He believes that the club has failed and is failing Watts and as far as the Essendon game goes his team mates failed him. He had three opponents over the night and kept the three quiet. His positioning when Essendon were flooding forward was good, but on many occasions he was left one out against two or three bombers. How is this his fault. He may be down on confidence, but any wonder when he gets the treatment he gets from the supporters and the press. His best football is yet to come, but he will get there...may be not at Melbourne