That's fine, but don't tell the supporters, members, sponsors and players. Such a defeatist attitude.

Thats right he would be better to say that our improvement will come faster than anyone expects or we will be the hardest team to play against. He should carry on after every loss like he did after his first loss last year against Brisbane. Damned if you do damned if you don't really.

And what was Neeld saying again at that pre-season dinner?

This is a quote from someone who was at the dinner - a reputable poster on this site. Quite a turnaround in such a short space of time.

The coach is excited with the playing group and said success may come a lot quicker that we think, said don't worry about the negative headlines just focus on the club, he's very positive.

And now the coach is saying this ...

''Our aim is to be competitive for as long as we possibly can and that's where we're at,'' he said. He said the club's plan of a complete facelift would take between three to five years to complete.

I don't care how bad a state Baily apparently left this club in, it should not be taking 5 years to be competitive.

I guess the only thing is what he defines as competitive. Is that competing with the best and being up there with the best? Because right now I'll take just being bloody competitive with teams that are meant to be at our level!

I care.... & I cared about the parlous state left before his trime, after years on non contact sport played largely by most of our players, since early 2000's,,, excepting 'Wheels', Neita & Jnr, & some cameo's.

Thats right he would be better to say that our improvement will come faster than anyone expects or we will be the hardest team to play against. He should carry on after every loss like he did after his first loss last year against Brisbane. Damned if you do damned if you don't really.

I prefer "hardest team to play against" because it at least shows some ambition.

Who have Port beaten? Us, GWS, GC, an undermanned West Coast?? Yeah they're travelling better than us but I wouldn't be pencilling them in for finals just yet.

That was the same undermanned West Coast that beat us by 90 odd points

And what was Neeld saying again at that pre-season dinner?

This is a quote from someone who was at the dinner - a reputable poster on this site. Quite a turnaround in such a short space of time.

And now the coach is saying this ...

I couldn't believe when pm24 (a quality poster) was praising Neeld for the consistency of his messages to fans.

Fans have to remain patient apparently. Honestly he is clueless when it comes to communicating messages.

really, so he's apparently Not a Politician... that would be a plus in my book.

let the admin do the sales speak, & let the footy dept' do the footy stuff...

I couldn't believe when pm24 (a quality poster) was praising Neeld for the consistency of his messages to fans.

so Neeld's found, that the outside pressure of expectation from the Fans, has been detrimental to the kids development... so he's tried to undo some of that expectation of those kids.

He's trying to get the kids to "Breakout" of their conservatisms... & to trust themselves in the face of Huge responsibilities. & Yet play from Instinct, something they haven't trusted in themselves to do, Yet !

I couldn't believe when pm24 (a quality poster) was praising Neeld for the consistency of his messages to fans.

Neeld is all over the place. I'm surprised that Peter Jackson hasn't had a chat to him about it. Every week we seem to get a 're-adjusted' message. It's quite sad really.

Get set for the 3-5 years bit to be yesterday's news. What's next? He's almost reached his zenith. 5-7 years maybe? Surely not!

I care.... & I cared about the parlous state left before his trime, after years on non contact sport played largely by most of our players, since early 2000's,,, excepting 'Wheels', Neita & Jnr, & some cameo's.

Yet our tackling stats are worse NOW than any time back then... Don't get sucked in by what Neeld says, look at the facts.

That was the same undermanned West Coast that beat us by 90 odd points

And the same GC that beat us by 60 points.

really, so he's apparently Not a Politician... that would be a plus in my book.

let the admin do the sales speak, & let the footy dept' do the footy stuff...

Communication is a pretty big part of coaching mate.

3-5 years. But from when?

From when he took over? That would make 2013 the second year, meaning he's referring to next year as the start of our competitiveness.

From now? Maybe. But it's not clear in the article what he's saying.

What is clear is this - we stink. What do you want Neeld to say? 'Look, we just lost to the Gold Coast by 10 goals, but I have every faith that we can come out and beat Richmond this week, we're that good'. If he said that the same people who don't like him now would say things like 'he's delusional, he can't even see how bad we are'.

Kevin Sheedy and Mick Malthouse are two of the all time great coaches. Both of them are awful in front of the media. What Neeld says to journalists is borderline irrelevant.

3-5 years. But from when?

Just 3-5 years constantly.

The thing that gets me is that we should be competitive now. We should ALWAYS be competitive. It is a basic fundamental of a sporting organization.

We should not be getting panted by GC or lose 3 quarters to GWS. Not now and certainly not after years of bottoming out already.

Neeld sold [censored] pre season. He clearly didn't see this coming. How convenient that he has now changed his tune and finding rubbish excuses to be uncompetitive.

He is a moron.

Yet our tackling stats are worse NOW than any time back then... look at the facts.

I call [censored]. Evidence?

Just 3-5 years constantly.

That will be the line for the new coach.

Do you realise that?

If someone asks Roos/Williams/Richardson/TheAnimatedCorpseOfNormSmith that question in October.

They will say that we will not be near to beating the best sides for 3-5 years.

That will be the line for the new coach.

Do you realise that?

If someone asks Roos/Williams/Richardson/TheAnimatedCorpseOfNormSmith that question in October.

They will say that we will not be near to beating the best sides for 3-5 years.

I can cop 3 years to beat Geelong. But at this rate, we'll be waiting 3 years just win a quarter against Gold Coast.

Port Adelaide did not take 5 years - just a preseason and they were below us.

Yes let's try a coach who can inspire our players!

Let's change our captain too as we know who has the grunt in them.

If you're talking about last year then no they didn't finish below us.

In fact they've only finished below us twice in the last 6 years.

Is it at all possible that development and the team hasn't come together like anyone expected including Neeld? Which might be a reason why he has decided to rebuild after the first 3 rounds?

Look it's hard to cop but people need to accept where we are. If you don't like Neeld I doubt he'll be here at the end of the year anyway.

If you think we were a winning team in 2013, at least have a look at experience, injuries and form before saying we should have beaten x team..... Apart from GWS I don't see us having more experience or form than any other team in the league.... That;s somehting you can blame Neeld for

But at least he's brought in blokes and is playing blokes that will form the core of hopefully a winning team for the next coach

I call [censored]. Evidence?

This year we average 56, in 2011 we averaged 70.

Footywire has all the stats.

That will be the line for the new coach.

Do you realise that?

If someone asks Roos/Williams/Richardson/TheAnimatedCorpseOfNormSmith that question in October.

They will say that we will not be near to beating the best sides for 3-5 years.

No I think they will probably not be silly enough to put a time frame on it.

Jay Clark ‏@ClarkyHeraldSun16m

Mark Neeld says Dees will take up to five years to rebuild. Mitch Clark says that comes as "a little bit" of a shock on @3AWisfootball

It will take more like 10 to 20 year rebuilding program!

The Club will needs time to learn how to win again after 5 years of failed rebuilding programs (was it 1,2 or 3 rebuilding programs again?).

Does anyone seriously believe Melbourne FC will be a serious challenger for the flag in 3 to 5 years?

Melbourne FC Forever!

This year we average 56, in 2011 we averaged 70.

Footywire has all the stats.

Stuie since your an expert at stat analysis can you explain to me how Essendon lost to the Lions yesterday - from what i saw Essenscum won all the stats

My point is you need to win the ball - and yes Neeld can be blamed for that.... quoting [censored] stats doesn't win the argument