Do you THINK Neeld will get the axe this week?

[old dee 22,944]

Just heard Colin Garland on SEN he gave IMO a good account of himself.

Probably understandably he sounded very flat. Was asked if Neeld stil had the group behind him.

Surprise said there was no problem with the coach, as if he would say anything different.

Once again there was comments about being committed next week again vs the Tigers.

Again not one mention about winning.

As a team this what we have been reduced to, no expectation of doing anything other than being competitive.

[Demon Dynasty 15,658]

Not if Jackson is true to his word. Get the right people into the place FINALLY.

eg. If it was announced that Roos has been signed that $2 mill debt would be under control in 2-3 weeks.

Coaching Melbourne should be the greatest challenge available within the AFL.

"IS" WYL.... just saying

[Sdemon53 15]

What would we gain by sacking Neeld?

In my opinion the players are so mentally scarred they lack any confidence. So therefore we have a team football wise that they do not have the ability to perform.

What is the answer to the problem? I do no know.

I have a feeling the new CEO might have a say in all of this.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Just heard Colin Garland on SEN he gave IMO a good account of himself.

Probably understandably he sounded very flat. Was asked if Neeld stil had the group behind him.

Surprise said there was no problem with the coach, as if he would say anything different.

Once again there was comments about being committed next week again vs the Tigers.

Again not one mention about winning.

As a team this what we have been reduced to, no expectation of doing anything other than being competitive.

Yes that was interesting wasn't it; the players want to have a red hot go but winning wasn't imperative, why would you go in to a game with that in mind.

[Pennant St Dee 11,346]

pretty shocked no press conference has been called for today to be honest

I'd say that is because they are debating not if but when? I'm sure the candle will burn deep into the night tonight if it did not last night. Calculations, phone calls and other matters will more than likely be discussed/ironed out before the decision is made

[Ted Lasso 16,905]

I'd say that is because they are debating not if but when? I'm sure the candle will burn deep into the night tonight if it did not last night. Calculations, phone calls and other matters will more than likely be discussed/ironed out before the decision is made

Get the feeling Jackson will want to know the opinions of as many people as possible before he makes a decision on when the right time is, i hope it's ASAP but that's just me

[rjay 23,945]

Get the feeling Jackson will want to know the opinions of as many people as possible before he makes a decision on when the right time is, i hope it's ASAP but that's just me

I get the feeling Jackson already knows what is needed and will make the changes when he has the people he wants.

[Soidee 1,496]

Yes that was interesting wasn't it; the players want to have a red hot go but winning wasn't imperative, why would you go in to a game with that in mind.

This mentality by a senior player just astounds me. We cannot have this mentality in our playing group...

This is the reason why Neeld must go

[mrtwister 650]

Who do you blame when the most glaring issues are uncoachable?

Effort

Composure

Instinct

[Demons 32 235]

I believe Neeld has to go ASAP….

1. He does not have the cattle, this is true.
2. He does not have players who are willing to have a dip consistently, this is true.
3. He does not have the money to spend in the football department that other clubs do, this is true.
4. He has been expected to pick up where Bailey left off and run with this team, so expectations were it would all click, this is true.

I understand all that, I get how hard it would be to coach an untalented side without time and resources.

However there is alot that he can impact without the above…

1. Command mutual respect with players, respect older players… Don’t say in a press conference that Jack Viney is the future of the club after 3 games (how would that make a Frawley, Sylvia and Jones feel?)
2. As Mick Malthouse has stated at Carlton, you must have an evolving gameplan to suit your cattle… If the players don’t get it and can’t execute it after 29 games then you must change until you have recruited players who can perform to the gameplan.
3. Match committee, team selection is up to the coach, playing players in the right position…. These are simple tasks, we have an all Australian big defender, so put that big defender on the oppositions main man every week. Selecting 2 beanpole ruckmen in any current day AFL team makes no sense…You can carry 1 beanpole, the other ruckman needs to be a versatile player (Stefan Martin was the protypical 2^nd ruck and after a career best season he was put in the VFL then traded).
4. The first 5 minutes… The most basic sign of a good coach is how a team attacks the game in the first 5 minutes, we start woefully every week.
5. Handling supporters and the media… We as a public are not all stupid…. Saying things like “it’s probably coach speak but we followed our KPI’s” is Ludacris… In the lead up to round 1 Mark Neeld said “ We are looking forward to the season and believe we will surprise a few people and teams this year”, 2 weeks later we had been destroyed twice and Neeld then said “we are rebuilding a rebuild, we know exactly where we are at as a club.”….
6. Ahhh Mark, no you freakin don’t, this has shocked you and we all heard where you thought we were at… lying to us does not make it any better.

Probably some basic grammar errors in this post however I have writen it fast and furious.

[Demons 32 235]

Further to my last post:

I'd be really interested to know what Need's gameplan is - specifically; I guess we'll never know because he doesn't have to tell the general public.

a) what in general is the plan for bringing the ball forward {diagonal handball, short kicks, long kicks to a contest, forward press, slingshot, zone, boundary, what??}
b) what is the backup plan for doing so
c) what the players are meant to do, and where to stand when the opposition has the ball at
i) full back
ii) CHB
iii) corridor
iv) wing
v) 60 metres from goal
d) what is Melbourne's advantage?, is it the marking forwards, what is it?

[Craig Drinker 179]

What's with only playing down the members wing also? Is there some magic scoring advantage to be gained from this?

[[email protected] 101]

Just heard Colin Garland on SEN he gave IMO a good account of himself.

Probably understandably he sounded very flat. Was asked if Neeld stil had the group behind him.

Surprise said there was no problem with the coach, as if he would say anything different.

Once again there was comments about being committed next week again vs the Tigers.

Again not one mention about winning.

As a team this what we have been reduced to, no expectation of doing anything other than being competitive.

So WHEN do we even start being competitive ??? "Watt" No beard !! Max's beard's "Gawn" too !! Is it because they do not want to be recognized in public. Now the beard's are gone does that make them more competitive ? , although Max does try hard... "Watts" next ?? sorry but I am beginning to get a little hysterical and must say something to try and keep my sanity and sense of humour..

[[email protected] 101]

What's with only playing down the members wing also? Is there some magic scoring advantage to be gained from this?

That's the last place I would want to be if I was a current Demon player... What with the present mood of the Members

[Lordweaver 235]

Just happy for watts that he avoided the suns debacle, yes sad to hear an afl player talk about just being competitive, far out, that is the absolute minimum required and should be a given, I am still of the opinion to let neeld see out this year for 2 reasons: we have to pay him out anyway and secondly, by the end of the year we will have no doubt, if there is still any, as to whether he is the right man for the job, no improvement = sack

[dees64 104]

We could/should/might fire Neeld but the real culprits are the CEO (now gone) and the Board and their incredible knack for dumb decisions.

- The appointment of Neeld

- The treatment of employees (e.g. Flack)

- The treatment of senior players (Junior under Bailey; Rivers/Moloney under Neeld)

- Pompous logo/blazers

- Youth policy incorrectly implemented (2008-12) replaced by bandaid policy (2012-) Pederson, Gillies, Byrnes etc

- Appointment of captains and leadership fiasco in early 2012

- Sponsorship (EnergyWatch) and treatment of sponsors (Hankook)

It's nigh on impossible to defend the Board and their management of this organisation.

Spot on!

Also development of young players....deplorable!

[The Big Ticket 94]

Just happy for watts that he avoided the suns debacle, yes sad to hear an afl player talk about just being competitive, far out, that is the absolute minimum required and should be a given, I am still of the opinion to let neeld see out this year for 2 reasons: we have to pay him out anyway and secondly, by the end of the year we will have no doubt, if there is still any, as to whether he is the right man for the job, no improvement = sack

No point in waiting. He is dead.

Jackson's appointment has saved his arse for now, but we all know he is done.

[What 18,810]

Herald Sun article saying he will coach the Tigers this week

Not a bad move by Peter Jackson to hold back on any cullings. Let Neeld keep coaching while we have serious behind the scene discussions with experienced senior coaches who are interested in the gig

[Jaded No More 58,483]

I've decided that I don't care if he goes now or in 17 rounds, just as long as everyone at the club (especially players) are aware that we are actively knocking down the doors of every available experienced proven coach out there.

If Jackson and co. aren't stalking Paul Roos, baking him cookies and waving wads of cash in front of his face as we speak, I will personally hunt them down and kick them in the nut sack.

In an ideal world, Neeld pisses off during the mid-season break, a new decent coach is announced and even if said coach can't start until the end of the season, one of the assistants who this coach fully supports and endorses takes over for the reminder of the season, starting to implement the new coach's vision.

This is what a normal, decent, functional, strong club should do.

What Melbourne will likely do though, is sack Neeld at the end of the season then start looking for a replacement, get outdone by Brisbane, and end up with Terry Wallace.

[T-34 409]

I've decided that I don't care if he goes now or in 17 rounds, just as long as everyone at the club (especially players) are aware that we are actively knocking down the doors of every available experienced proven coach out there.

If Jackson and co. aren't stalking Paul Roos, baking him cookies and waving wads of cash in front of his face as we speak, I will personally hunt them down and kick them in the nut sack.

In an ideal world, Neeld pisses off during the mid-season break, a new decent coach is announced and even if said coach can't start until the end of the season, one of the assistants who this coach fully supports and endorses takes over for the reminder of the season, starting to implement the new coach's vision.

This is what a normal, decent, functional, strong club should do.

What Melbourne will likely do though, is sack Neeld at the end of the season then start looking for a replacement, get outdone by Brisbane, and end up with Terry Wallace.

We don't have the cash to wave and a normal, decent, functional,strong club would never find themselves on the threshold of hell as we apparently are.

It is possible to get great coaches who have not been head honcho before,{ Scotts, Hinkley, Hird, Ross Lyon did well as a new coach }

[bing181 8,176]

Let Neeld keep coaching while we have serious behind the scene discussions with experienced senior coaches who are interested in the gig

No, let Neeld keep coaching while we put a proper, functioning, supportive, focused FD around him, then let's see what happens and where we are.

[bing181 8,176]

Caroline W's latest take:

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/the-trouble-with-demons-20130513-2jif5.html

Includes:

"The club's new chief executive, Peter Jackson, remained uncontactable on Monday after Sunday's scathing public analysis of the mess he has taken on, but is understood to have met the beleaguered Neeld for a frank chat.

Although Neeld's future rests with president Don McLardy and his board, any move remains highly unlikely unless Jackson recommends it, and knee-jerk decisions are not his style.

Jackson made it abundantly clear on Sunday that big changes were required at Melbourne, and quickly. He would not guarantee the coach's position or any other, but called for all those under pressure to work with the benefit of some ''clear air''.

That breathing space will be afforded to Neeld at least in the short term, with Jackson clearly appalled at the dysfunctional football set-up left behind by Cameron Schwab and which has clearly played a major part in the team's dreadful performances in recent years, and more notably since Neeld was appointed coach.

The most pressing void appears to be at the helm of football, and performers such as Geoff Walsh (Collingwood) and Neil Balme (Geelong) do not grow on trees.

Jackson spoke of four people reporting to Schwab, and although he didn't name them those four are Neil Craig (director of sport performance), Tim Harrington (list management), Josh Mahoney (football manager) and Neeld, who also reports to Craig.

Jackson also made it clear this was a mess but has clearly not had time to assess whether any official capable of taking hold of the football operation exists at the club.

There is irony in the fact that Essendon, the club Jackson ran for 14 years until 2009, is also looking to restructure a football department which was so dysfunctional from the end of 2011 that it allowed its players to be subjected to a cavalier, dangerous and potentially unlawful sports science program."

Edited May 13, 2013 by bing181

[ThreeOneSix 953]

I am more interested in Viney disagreeing with Neeld over recruiting.

If we ever find out that Todd wanted Ollie at 4, It would be shattering.

Ollie Wines is exactly what this club needs, Jack Viney is our only potential A grader going forward.

Another one would've helped.

Hogan will be one at least, even still, we haven't had an A grader since I can't remember and we could've had 3 in one draft.

Call it too early to call, but blind freddy can see Ollie, Jack, Hogan, Wines and O'Meara are all picks of that last draft and all look special.

Crouch before the years out will also be up there.

[Dr. Mubutu 694]

316, the Toump is clearly going to go better in a midfield that isn't 3rd-world. Clearly the best pick at #4. Hands down.

[DemonOX 8,541]

It seems by todays heading in the Heral Sun "Mark Neeld will coach THIS WEEK but his Melbourne future remains up in the air" that his coaching is going to be a week by week proposition.

So to me that means another thumping this week, which is highly probable he will possibly get the chop next week.

Not great working conditions for him to be in.

One thought I had when I first saw the article was hopefully we get thumped this week again and the end will come sooner rather than later as we are just delaying the inevitable.

I know its not the greatest thought to have but does anyone else feel like this?