Roos says Watts the problem?

[P-man 13,366]

Watching a replay, the other reason the heat has come onto Watts this week is because his kicking was decidedly poor. Those laser passes can partially compensate for his other shortcomings but that was lacking on the weekend with 60% DE.

Confidence continues to be an issue. If Roos can rectify this, he'll have won half the battle.

[jumbo returns 6,741]

Watching a replay, the other reason the heat has come onto Watts this week is because his kicking was decidedly poor. Those laser passes can partially compensate for his other shortcomings but that was lacking on the weekend with 60% DE.

Confidence continues to be an issue. If Roos can rectify this, he'll have won half the battle.

Agree - he's two or three laser passes away from finding form again.

The kid must play in the ones.

[Earl Hood 6,086]

Ahhh yes, yes. That was a recording from his and my convo we had on air as i drove home Saturday night.

Autograph line starts here:

I dips me lid to you sir. I missed your conversation on SEN Saturday night as I trudged home depressed from the Anglesea pub on Saturday night. My television digital signal had earlier given up the ghost before the game at Anglesea so I had to head out to the pub to see the game.

[Adam The God 30,271]

Watching a replay, the other reason the heat has come onto Watts this week is because his kicking was decidedly poor. Those laser passes can partially compensate for his other shortcomings but that was lacking on the weekend with 60% DE.

Confidence continues to be an issue. If Roos can rectify this, he'll have won half the battle.

Yeah, I heard on the radio on the way home that he had 20% kicking efficiency. It didn't sound right.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

bottom line for me is that so far Roosy seems to be doing a good job, albeit very, very gradually. He knows way more about the situation than any of us so I think it is prudent we just back him in and hope for the best. If it was Neeld or Bailey we be within our rights to question it but Roosy is a different ball game. However, end of the year we are on 2 wins and Watts is still doing nothing it will be question time for mine.

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

I dips me lid to you sir. I missed your conversation on SEN Saturday night as I trudged home depressed from the Anglesea pub on Saturday night. My television digital signal had earlier given up the ghost before the game at Anglesea so I had to head out to the pub to see the game.

Ahhh Anglesea, beautiful place. I have family down there.

[rpfc 28,502]

bottom line for me is that so far Roosy seems to be doing a good job, albeit very, very gradually. He knows way more about the situation than any of us so I think it is prudent we just back him in and hope for the best. If it was Neeld or Bailey we be within our rights to question it but Roosy is a different ball game. However, end of the year we are on 2 wins and Watts is still doing nothing it will be question time for mine.

As Roos said - if we are 2 wins at the end of the season - Watts is way back in a long line of problems at this footy club...

Isn't this why we got Roos in the first place?

We were all worried that the development of the players was haphazard, non-existent, or outright awful - who is the poster child for that?

"Please Welcome the Number 1 Pick in the draft Jack Watts..."

We all want blood because we are looking through a wide-angle lens - Watts' career, as Cudi said, may as well be 6 weeks old.

I haven't done my obligatory List Management thread yet because I really don't know who can do what under Roos and what he wants (and what he can get) from the players we have.

Enter Jack Watts, Jeremy Howe, Jimmy Toumpas et al.

Edited April 28, 2014 by rpfc

[Earl Hood 6,086]

Ahhh Anglesea, beautiful place. I have family down there.

Song can you do something about the weather? Every time I go down there, on a weekend, a cold front comes through and it stuffs up the surf. Despite that I too love the sea, the forests and the bird life.

[jimcor 212]

For probably the first time in Jack Watts' career, he is receiving some leadership from the senior coach. He is the most talented player at the club and it is in all of our interests for Roos to be given the time to find the key to unlock his potential. Great leaders (as against great managers) often display the flexibility needed to get the best out of a group of individuals. Ultimately, Jack Watts will decide if he loves football and the club enough to realize his potential but, until he does, cut him some slack.

We quickly forget that this is his first extended shot at playing midfield and all the feedback from teammates & coaches is that he's worked his arse off to try and make it a success. None of us know what instructions he's been given and, at the end of the day, the coaching team will make the call. Just remember how happy most of us were when he re-signed this year. At least recognize & acknowledge his loyalty to the club when others are playing hard to get.

[JackVineyForPresident 310]

For probably the first time in Jack Watts' career, he is receiving some leadership from the senior coach. He is the most talented player at the club and it is in all of our interests for Roos to be given the time to find the key to unlock his potential. Great leaders (as against great managers) often display the flexibility needed to get the best out of a group of individuals. Ultimately, Jack Watts will decide if he loves football and the club enough to realize his potential but, until he does, cut him some slack.

We quickly forget that this is his first extended shot at playing midfield and all the feedback from teammates & coaches is that he's worked his arse off to try and make it a success. None of us know what instructions he's been given and, at the end of the day, the coaching team will make the call. Just remember how happy most of us were when he re-signed this year. At least recognize & acknowledge his loyalty to the club when others are playing hard to get.

I do agree with the principle, but not entirely.

There are other desperate players on our list who want to make it in AFL who would probably deserve the chance over Watts recent lack of effort.

I am sure there are Melbourne listed players working their asses off to make the team, yet we are supposed to "cut Watts some slack"

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

As Roos said - if we are 2 wins at the end of the season - Watts is way back in a long line of problems at this footy club...

Isn't this why we got Roos in the first place?

We were all worried that the development of the players was haphazard, non-existent, or outright awful - who is the poster child for that?

"Please Welcome the Number 1 Pick in the draft Jack Watts..."

We all want blood because we are looking through a wide-angle lens - Watts' career, as Cudi said, may as well be 6 weeks old.

I haven't done my obligatory List Management thread yet because I really don't know who can do what under Roos and what he wants (and what he can get) from the players we have.

Enter Jack Watts, Jeremy Howe, Jimmy Toumpas et al.

I dunno man, we're approaching 8 months since Roos was named coach. That included a draft period which he and his cohorts completely nailed IMO. Watching us on the weekend , and the week before, in a couple of outings that would have been almighty beltings at the hands of Hawthorn or Geelong, and a win/loss of 1-5 against below average opponents.. I'm a little unsatisfied at the progress thus far. I really was expecting better. There are plenty of yardsticks, but gee being in the bottom 2 for goals and inside-50s is pretty bad. In Roosy's defense, losing the services of Clark is a massive setback that he obviously didn't forsee. I genuinely wonder if would have taken the job had he known how much harder than was/is going to make everything. It is fair enough to call me impatient, but 9 months is a fair period of time to be in charge of a project, particularly if you're making $1.5M a year doing it. Individually, I haven't seem anyone flourishing under him really.. Dunn, Pederson, Matt Jones, hmmm yeah maybe.

[John Crow Batty 8,871]

I dunno man, we're approaching 8 months since Roos was named coach. That included a draft period which he and his cohorts completely nailed IMO. Watching us on the weekend , and the week before, in a couple of outings that would have been almighty beltings at the hands of Hawthorn or Geelong, and a win/loss of 1-5 against below average opponents.. I'm a little unsatisfied at the progress thus far. I really was expecting better. There are plenty of yardsticks, but gee being in the bottom 2 for goals and inside-50s is pretty bad. In Roosy's defense, losing the services of Clark is a massive setback that he obviously didn't forsee. I genuinely wonder if would have taken the job had he known how much harder than was/is going to make everything. It is fair enough to call me impatient, but 9 months is a fair period of time to be in charge of a project, particularly if you're making $1.5M a year doing it. Individually, I haven't seem anyone flourishing under him really.. Dunn, Pederson, Matt Jones, hmmm yeah maybe.

Well we ain't no just add boiling water to instant noodle job. Thats our lot for now. No alternatives brother!

Edited April 28, 2014 by america de cali

[old dee 23,792]

I dunno man, we're approaching 8 months since Roos was named coach. That included a draft period which he and his cohorts completely nailed IMO. Watching us on the weekend , and the week before, in a couple of outings that would have been almighty beltings at the hands of Hawthorn or Geelong, and a win/loss of 1-5 against below average opponents.. I'm a little unsatisfied at the progress thus far. I really was expecting better. There are plenty of yardsticks, but gee being in the bottom 2 for goals and inside-50s is pretty bad. In Roosy's defense, losing the services of Clark is a massive setback that he obviously didn't forsee. I genuinely wonder if would have taken the job had he known how much harder than was/is going to make everything. It is fair enough to call me impatient, but 9 months is a fair period of time to be in charge of a project, particularly if you're making $1.5M a year doing it. Individually, I haven't seem anyone flourishing under him really.. Dunn, Pederson, Matt Jones, hmmm yeah maybe.

C and B I think we should not lose sight of the fact we have the worst list in the comp by some margin.

Short of JC taking the reigns and performing a dozen miracles the list will not change in one pre season.

I think Roos has done as much as one human can in getting the best from this group.

What we have been seeing the last couple of years is the fruits of terrible recruiting over an extended period.

He is no doubt well aware that a large number of this group are not AFL standard players.

He has to get the best they can offer till he can replace them not with champions but average to good players who can hold the team together till the draftees and young players can take over.

IMO it has probably taken us the best part of a decade to get to the current position and we will not get out of it over night.

It grieves me as much as you to see the number of low quality players we have to put on the field every week.

And poor mr. Watts really annoys me because he has the skill set of a very good player.

What can I do about it?

Nil I just pray Roos can get us through the next couple of years and repair a sad list.

[JackVineyForPresident 310]

I dunno man, we're approaching 8 months since Roos was named coach. That included a draft period which he and his cohorts completely nailed IMO. Watching us on the weekend , and the week before, in a couple of outings that would have been almighty beltings at the hands of Hawthorn or Geelong, and a win/loss of 1-5 against below average opponents.. I'm a little unsatisfied at the progress thus far. I really was expecting better. There are plenty of yardsticks, but gee being in the bottom 2 for goals and inside-50s is pretty bad. In Roosy's defense, losing the services of Clark is a massive setback that he obviously didn't forsee. I genuinely wonder if would have taken the job had he known how much harder than was/is going to make everything. It is fair enough to call me impatient, but 9 months is a fair period of time to be in charge of a project, particularly if you're making $1.5M a year doing it. Individually, I haven't seem anyone flourishing under him really.. Dunn, Pederson, Matt Jones, hmmm yeah maybe.

Despite agreeing with you on everything else you said i have a major issue with this.

Nathan Jones has taken his game to new heights.

Chris Dawes is playing as good as he ever has.

Tom Mcdonald is absolutely killing it.

Viney is making normal progress and just getting better each minute that passes.

Lastly, Grimes is playing very very well this year and i am seeing him improve each week.

Plenty to be praising there.

With Toumpas, Viney, Tyson , Salem, Hogan and hopefully Trengove to come through, the future looks bright

[rpfc 28,502]

I dunno man, we're approaching 8 months since Roos was named coach. That included a draft period which he and his cohorts completely nailed IMO. Watching us on the weekend , and the week before, in a couple of outings that would have been almighty beltings at the hands of Hawthorn or Geelong, and a win/loss of 1-5 against below average opponents.. I'm a little unsatisfied at the progress thus far. I really was expecting better. There are plenty of yardsticks, but gee being in the bottom 2 for goals and inside-50s is pretty bad. In Roosy's defense, losing the services of Clark is a massive setback that he obviously didn't forsee. I genuinely wonder if would have taken the job had he known how much harder than was/is going to make everything. It is fair enough to call me impatient, but 9 months is a fair period of time to be in charge of a project, particularly if you're making $1.5M a year doing it. Individually, I haven't seem anyone flourishing under him really.. Dunn, Pederson, Matt Jones, hmmm yeah maybe.

I mentioned this a couple a days ago - there are those that thought Neeld was so inept that he was the reason for us being where we were.

And they, and you, are coming to the realisation that it wasn't just Neeld failings that sent us to where we currently dwell.

Our list needs work, our best players need help, our forward line was, and still is to lesser extent, in massive trouble only a few weeks ago.

And his wage has nothing to do with how quickly he can turn us around - only how well and lasting the turnaround will be.

He got Cross and Vince and had a few months with the group in Pre-season - I don't see that as sufficient to get us to where you think we should be.

[jnrmac 20,101]

DeeO, Neeld never bagged out Watts....not once.

Please, we can't hang him for everything!

Talking through your hat. Neeld had him in tears every second week..

[John Crow Batty 8,871]

I mentioned this a couple a days ago - there are those that thought Neeld was so inept that he was the reason for us being where we were.

And they, and you, are coming to the realisation that it wasn't just Neeld failings that sent us to where we currently dwell.

Our list needs work, our best players need help, our forward line was, and still is to lesser extent, in massive trouble only a few weeks ago.

And his wage has nothing to do with how quickly he can turn us around - only how well and lasting the turnaround will be.

He got Cross and Vince and had a few months with the group in Pre-season - I don't see that as sufficient to get us to where you think we should be.

I would say Neeld was more victim than villain. List management specialists Schwab and Connolly deserve a worthy mention.

[jumbo returns 6,741]

Talking through your hat. Neeld had him in tears every second week..

[censored].

It was critical feedback.

[Demon Dynasty 17,109]

Watching a replay, the other reason the heat has come onto Watts this week is because his kicking was decidedly poor. Those laser passes can partially compensate for his other shortcomings but that was lacking on the weekend with 60% DE.

Confidence continues to be an issue. If Roos can rectify this, he'll have won half the battle.

I don't think this is a significant reason for the heat this week P man. Yes, he is down on confidence and is certainly off with disposal.

But I think anyone who's seen a fair bit of Watts realises it's not the disposal/goal shooting side of his game that's the issue (ie., when he receives the ball).

It's what he isn't doing and the lack of effort shown when he/we haven't got the ball that's the issue here and has been throughout his career so far.

[Adam The God 30,271]

I don't think this is a significant reason for the heat this week P man. Yes, he is down on confidence and is certainly off with disposal.

But I think anyone who's seen a fair bit of Watts realises it's not the disposal/goal shooting side of his game that's the issue (ie., when he receives the ball).

It's what he isn't doing and the lack of effort shown when he/we haven't got the ball that's the issue here and has been throughout his career so far.

Whilst you're right to an extent, RN, I think perhaps Watts' disposal efficiency in the past has wallpapered the other flaws in his game.

[P-man 13,366]

I don't think this is a significant reason for the heat this week P man. Yes, he is down on confidence and is certainly off with disposal.

But I think anyone who's seen a fair bit of Watts realises it's not the disposal/goal shooting side of his game that's the issue (ie., when he receives the ball).

It's what he isn't doing and the lack of effort shown when he/we haven't got the ball that's the issue here and has been throughout his career so far.

Clearly his disposal was not the main issue. I was merely saying that the one thing that can shield hm from some heat most weeks was all but completely absent on the weekend - that is his classy use of the ball. It only served to highlight his usual lack of intensity.

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

Despite agreeing with you on everything else you said i have a major issue with this.

Nathan Jones has taken his game to new heights.

Chris Dawes is playing as good as he ever has.

Tom Mcdonald is absolutely killing it.

Viney is making normal progress and just getting better each minute that passes.

Lastly, Grimes is playing very very well this year and i am seeing him improve each week.

Plenty to be praising there.

With Toumpas, Viney, Tyson , Salem, Hogan and hopefully Trengove to come through, the future looks bright

Not to forget what he has clearly achieved with Pedersen, Dunn and, to an extent, Frawley (as a genuine forward option).

[Guest]

You're right, there are connotations, but what I really saw there was the press baiting a greenhorn.

More feedback than criticism.

The first part I agree with. Neeld was silly to be saying those kind of things on the record and this kind of thing was symbolic of his inexperience.

The second sentence is splitting hairs. If Roos was bagging Neeld when he said he was shocked by Melbourne's scars (he was non specific and bought up Watts' debut under Bailey), I would hate to see what this was.

Anyway, I'm sick of talking about Neeld. The bloke is gone. I just don't like the record being rewritten on this and other matters.

Edited April 28, 2014 by Colin B. Flaubert

[Tyson_Viney_Toumpas 269]

Watts reminds me of Goddard when he was younger. Frustrating but worth it in the end.

[JackVineyForPresident 310]

Not to forget what he has clearly achieved with Pedersen, Dunn and, to an extent, Frawley (as a genuine forward option).

Yes yes, but it had already been included above. I completely agree.. He's been able to really harness players so far.

Believe me, there's more coming