TACTICS CONTRADICTION

[Jumping Jack Clennett 1,780]

I'm very worried about an apparent contradiction.

Danners said after the game(or so I interpreted it) that after half time v. Geelong, he realised we couldn't win, so tried to minimise the damage with defensive tactics. He was happy with the 4:4 to 4:9 second half scores. More significantly, I thought he said we'd continue with these tactics while we're undermanned.

The next day , I heard Cameron Bruce(presumably the Club's official player-spokesman this week) saying...."we've got to go all-out attack now and show we're good enough." I agree with Cameron, and it shold have started at 3.30 last Sunday.

Back in 1996, Neil Balme decided we couldn't win in Adelaide,went defensive to try to minimise the score against, and orchestrated one of the most unwatchable slaughters I've ever witnessed. He was sacked(correctly) the next week.

We shouldn't have given up at half-time!!!! There have been so many comebacks from 7-8 goals down this year! Why can't we do it? We've got to show confidence in our list! I reckon we've got the depth! Would WE have ever had the guts that Collingwood did, to play 3 first gamers in one match???!!! NO! Would we have had Port's guts, to give the 66kg Nathan Krakouer a game NO!! We're too conservative! We don't give youngsters a go, and we don't try new tactics. We're slaves to the (under-inclusive) statistics from Champion data.

There will be many people who strongly disagree with this opinion. If so, could they please tell me a tactic in which they consider we've been pro-active, and.....just a bit....successful.

[Jumping Jack Clennett 1,780]

Did anyone else notice this?

[beelzebub 23,347]

trust me youre not alone... bit there were many more things you could ascribe to the " next useless pice of garbage"

little things...why is Dannerrs so good at noting what went wrong....afterwards !! always seems to take 1/2 a game to sink in etc. others have already noted we should have played bottle up he oppo from the get go....yet it is trundled out as some sort of surprise...afterwards.

Cb esponges that we ought to put in 4 quarters...well haleluajh people there's a revelation...we have to play 4 qrts...who'd da thunk ??

Keep in mind JJC ...Danners seems easily pleased...apparently...well if you lose and put in a mediocre half then he's good with that. well he must be...he wasnt calling for anyones blood...or at the very least voicing distinct heartache. All is well.. despite injuires.. ..well.. at least HOPEFULLY the team will rejg itself.... these are his opinions...not mine !!

Do I not appreciate he's got a bad plate..

I do.. I didnt make the plate. Nor did he to be fair...but he holds the knives and forks. he can orchestrate he plate thats left.

JJC...it will now depend on what ultimate outcome he thinks is gainable for the club as to how he plays the few cards he has left for the year.

JJC...youre not alone....not by a long set.

[Jumping Jack Clennett 1,780]

I'm fascinated that no-one, except Beelzebub,finds this interesting, relevant, or accurate.

Perhaps Demonlanders are like our football dept...... they've just given up! . Damage minimisation is our best path! Surely not!

[Nasher 33,613]

I actually agree with Neale. In the Geelong game we were outclassed in the middle (despite winning the clearances), and up forward we had all the firepower of a cap gun. The linebreakers we have in our side in the moment are ordinary and aren't up to the task. I think we should've done everything in our power to reduce the game to a scrap and try and win that way. Even if we didn't win, it's much less likely that we would've been belted the way we were.

We risk the same with Freo, though they've almost got as much class out as we have, except theirs is all self inflicted.

Just on Cam Bruce -- he comes across as a pretty polished media performer, but don't be fooled. He comes from the same school of spin as Robbo and White. They talk in cliches and do a lot of talking without saying anything at all. The comment you've quoted above sounds no different.

[CarnTheDees 52]

I'm fascinated that no-one, except Beelzebub,finds this interesting, relevant, or accurate.

Perhaps Demonlanders are like our football dept...... they've just given up! . Damage minimisation is our best path! Surely not!

I've harped on for long enough over the last year about Melbourne's insistence to play negative football (ask RR and Old). The pathetic display that I witnessed in Round 1 (much worse IMO than rounds 2 and 3) has sapped all of my enthusiasm for the club, and discussing the issues surrounding it. I now know that we will never win a flag with ND in charge, and hence I'm able to now watch MFC matches in a more detached way and care less when we get thumped repeatedly.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I've harped on for long enough over the last year about Melbourne's insistence to play negative football (ask RR and Old).

As Old and I pointed out the negative football you did not like was part of the catalyst for us winning many games and controlling and running centre contest. Its not what you wanted to hear at the time and still dont. And with things going bad for a myriad reason its a perfect time for people who did not understand what was going on to misguidedly claim they were right now.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I actually agree with Neale. In the Geelong game we were outclassed in the middle (despite winning the clearances), and up forward we had all the firepower of a cap gun. The linebreakers we have in our side in the moment are ordinary and aren't up to the task. I think we should've done everything in our power to reduce the game to a scrap and try and win that way. Even if we didn't win, it's much less likely that we would've been belted the way we were.

We risk the same with Freo, though they've almost got as much class out as we have, except theirs is all self inflicted.

Just on Cam Bruce -- he comes across as a pretty polished media performer, but don't be fooled. He comes from the same school of spin as Robbo and White. They talk in cliches and do a lot of talking without saying anything at all. The comment you've quoted above sounds no different.

I think you are right Nasher. The problem that the players were so unaccountable, we cant even shut down a game.

However I disagree about Bruce. I think he is mediore as a media performer. I think Robbo is just horrible. His interview before the game on 774 was disappointing in a number of facets.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I think Robbo is just horrible. His interview before the game on 774 was disappointing in a number of facets.

Why did you find it disappointing?

[CarnTheDees 52]

As Old and I pointed out the negative football you did not like was part of the catalyst for us winning many games and controlling and running centre contest. Its not what you wanted to hear at the time and still dont. And with things going bad for a myriad reason its a perfect time for people who did not understand what was going on to misguidedly claim they were right now.

I'm not claiming to be "right now". Just expressing that I'm no longer as enthusiastic to get into a debate as I used to be. Clearly you're still champing at the bit. <_<

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

No. In future dont use me as a reference on something that is not factually true. Thanks

[The Backyard Charizard 1,202]

I believe ND is really struggling to keep a tight ship down at Melbourne....

Honestly, I think he will depart the club either during, or after 2007....

To have a full pre-season of hard running and skill work (we were all told how well we were going).... To then come out when it matters and show the country that our skills are lacking, our pace is lacking, our awareness is non-existant and our side has as much depth as a kiddies pool in Coober Pedy, must be killing the Rev.

He has done all he can with our list, and in my opinion he has done a magnificent job in recruiting players who will one day form a bloody good team! I think now he is starting to realise (due to injury, poor form & lack of accountability) that he may have done all he can do!

Turning to negative tactics to "minimise the damage on the scoreboard" is a load of crap! I, along with many of you, would rather see us play hard, attacking, accountable football and get beaten by 10 goals than come out attacking, go into half-time down by 7 goals and lose by 8 goals....

I have and will continue to back ND in everything he has done for the MFC in his 10 years at the club.... Membership is up, Sponsorship is up and our list is the best it has been for a long time.... Maybe that is what his job was?? Maybe now it is time to hand over the reigns and let another bloke have a crack?

I know what will happen though.... He will stay with us for the season.... We will finish just out of the finals.... He will leave in a media frenzy.... He will coach the Fockers in 2008..... And he will win a flag in 2 years!! Thus is the life of a Melbourne suporter!

[Adzman 2,154]

I DO NOT CARE if melbourne play negative football. If we get the four points, I COULDN'T CARE LESS. Free flowing football is good to watch, but is pointless if it does not win you games.

The dees are not playing good footy, if we can bottle down and bring home the 4 points I will take it.

A win is a win.

[The Backyard Charizard 1,202]

I DO NOT CARE if melbourne play negative football. If we get the four points, I COULDN'T CARE LESS. Free flowing football is good to watch, but is pointless if it does not win you games.

The dees are not playing good footy, if we can bottle down and bring home the 4 points I will take it.

A win is a win.

Negative football is ok I guess.... But why the hell would you wait till you are 10 goals down to do it??

Our skills are disgusting! And if we spend the first half of the season "bottling down" and when our forwards come back to play are we going to suddenly unleash an attacking style of play??

I too want nothing but 4 points every week, but if it means we have to play a team of 22 Simon Godfreys to it then screw that!!!!