Hardnut

MFC cannot afford to keep MN much longer because MFC runs the risk of both losing good players and not attracting good players at the end of the year, if they keep MN - it's fairly simple really!

To be honest Hardtack, I think the potshot about the election was pretty apt. I think a lot of people were wary of the changes that Kennett bought but the BIGGEST reason he lost was that he treats people like crap and shoots first and asks questions later. The biggest reason he lost in the end was Russell Savage.

You have the wrong 'Hard' CBF, but the reasons why JK lost Government were complex - certainly he is a strong character which is why he makes enemies - personally I'd be happy with strong characters around me rather than 'Yes people'.

did u listen to the presser, it's not that hard nut

He was either having a cheap shot at the medical profession or he did not realise what he was saying M'Lord, which is why I raised the issue - it symbolises why he is not suitable to be coaching MFC.

If you have another interpretation, I'd be happy to read it.

I thought Mark covered it well in the Presser when he said "Our Playing List is our Playing List".

This was after he'd admitted certain players should be running out in the VFL but that we didn't have that luxury.

Not sure if he was talking about older players not up to it or the young guys short on the blessed experience.

He was probably talking about the so-called experienced players he brought into the Club!

A comment about today's President's lunch based on media reports.

In regard to Jeff Kennett's comments about offerring himself for President of MFC, McLardy was correct in dismissing the 'brown and gold' side of JK.

However, McLardy showed his lack of understanding of the responsibilities of his own position when he brought JK's politics into the discussion - this lack of judgement parallels that of MN as Coach and shows how poorly both men are dealing with the pressures of the current MFC position.

Both men need to keep their eyes on the ball, not on the man.

I simply can't understand how anyone can continue to support Neeld. I have read the pro view..... to me the arguments make no sense.

We were again horribly out coached today. What I hated most was the change in game plan after Dawes went off. We went mega defensive in an attempt to restrict the losing margin (again to no avail), once again playing several players behind the ball. This..... the super flood, played under Neeld gives us no chance of being able to kick a winning score..... yet this was the tactic................. again!!!!!!!

THIS IS NO WAY TO DEVELOP A TEAM.

NO WAY TO BUILD CONFIDENCE!

I am sure you all noted the drop of the head once the coach effectively raised the white flag.

I have had enough of this! I hate going to games that the coach effectively gives up prior to half time. If we are to go down, lets go down fighting playing a game style that has the chance of putting some score board pressure on.

There is no upside to keeping Neeld.

I think you need to add another dimension to your comments GNF - the weak decisions (or non-decisions) made by the Board mean they must go also.

expensive specialists? what did he mean

He was referring to Clark's medical treatment - I have no idea what he really meant, which is why I raise the issue of his comment.

Watching MN's presser tonight - the guy cannot be serious with a comment about expensive specialists - does he know the impression he gives with such comments?

They were bigger, stronger and more experienced but we had a crack. Unfortunately, what worked in the first quarter failed after that. The loss of Dawes affected our forward structure and we simply lapsed into a frenzy of self-inflicted errors of which Collingwood took maximum advantage.

Once we eliminate the errors, these games will be 6 to 8 goal losses. Get a few of those injured blokes back and we won't be far away from winning games against our fellow cellar dwellers.

Sorry for the late response Jack but I needed a dinner break!

Do you realise that the Pies are now a struggling mid-order side and no longer a genuine top four side?

MFC should have been beaten by much more today, only saved by poor kicking by the Pies - Cloke alone could have done that damage (but no criticism of Garland who I thought was our best for the day).

MFC has potential, but nothing has changed with the Coach or the Board.

BTW, anyone notice how the 'Malthouse' game plan failed yet again on Friday night - even with a group of players who are good around stoppages, it still didn't work against a team who play more positive football - yes, I agree it was close but.....

Did you sack that negative bugger who runs the place? That'd be a great way to improve employee morale.

Funny, I look at the anti-Neeld lobby and think virtually the same thing. Some people can't help but look at things in the most negative light and have just gotten into the habit of seeing the club as a failure. If only they could look at things objectively instead of complaining about the fact that we are getting pretty much the results we expected...

Incidentally, could one of the absent Mods please go through this thread and delete the multiple off-topic derailment attempts? There is already a thread about why people want to sack the coach for them to post this rubbish in. They don't need to try to hijack a positive thread about why we need to keep him.

Well 'Ralph', I have made it clear that I do not think MN should remain coach, but I reject your assumption that I am negative. On the contrary, I am looking forward positively to a future without MN and without the current Board. I believe many of the players on our list have much to contribute - I think that's being positive, unlike some posters who

(negatively) want the players to bear all of the responsibility!

Regardless of the dubious quality of coaching we have, our attitude has to be 'we can win' tomorrow - even if those at the top can't provide a winning culture by example, those at the 'coalface' have to take a stand and draw that proverbial 'line in the sand'.

I reckon they should test the waters for a possible trade...

So, yet another player they could not develop!

No one is questioning performance has been poor under Neeld (if we are just talking about game day results)

The one assumption you get wrong Hardnut is that the club is not rebuilding - I believe the board and Neeld believe the MFC is rebuilding, that is the only reason why Neeld has kept his job to date and as much as I am the minority on here I think he should get to at least the end of 2013 to prove he can do it.

Again I know I am the minority opinion on here and I cbf arguing my point but it has to be the only reason Neeld still has his job otherwise you are 100% spot on Hardnut

Understand your post 'UH' - I was in the minority last year - I do not believe the Club is actually rebuilding even though they may think they are - in fact, they are going backwards IMO.

Keeping JW should be an obvious and straightforward exercise - why is it apparently an issue?

Thanks for the feedback WJ - a lot of interesting material there and it sounds like PJ did a smooth job.

I agree that the current position MFC finds itself in is not due to any one person, but I have no doubt that MN and NC must go before further damage is inflicted on the Club. Whilst others may have cases to answer, the Coach must ultimately be held responsible - anyone who doubts this should ask themselves whether they would have followed MN's path - reading DL, I doubt there would be many.

I don't think that, because you're joining dots, you're wrong. I happen to agree with you in that I think Neeld is a poor coach and shouldn't be here in 2014. I agree that he has communication issues, and I agree that he has made mistakes in his approach. I do find it 'palatable', but yes, I do hope it's wrong - don't we all? Don't we all hope that, in actuality, the players and Neeld get along as well as could be hoped and that Neeld's vision is going to actually turn this club around?

For every comment that has been made by a player regarding 'buying in', surely there's been another one about backing Neeld. If you want to believe them on one point, believe them on all points. I'd be hesitant to put stock in anything Moloney has said this year, being as bitter as he is. Reminds me of McLean's approach. Rivers' point, though, is a valid and pertinent one.

Also, I wonder whether it's appropriate to say we've made a mistake - obviously Neeld isn't working out right now, but to say it was a 'mistake' is to imply that we could have known better. After the Bailey era of softness I was hoping the new coach would bring an element of toughness to the club - yes, Neeld appears on the face of things to have taken that too far, but that aside, at the time I (and you, I think, and many others) applauded the move. To now, 18 months later, say it was a 'mistake' isn't exactly true. It hasn't worked out, sure, and we are bad, yes, but it's not a 'mistake'.

The Club should have known better - one would have to question whether due diligence was done - was it a mistake or just simple incompetence, especially given the stated aims of the Club for an experienced coach and the availability of other rookie candidates.

lack of forseigh and leadership hardnut

Either back Neeld in or kick him out I say - there are good arguments for either. Either say we are developing and let him do his job otherwise fire him as it's obvious to everyone that he hasn't achieved anything short term

Thats probably the biggest thing we have missed - this direction was the club's decision and we are all taking it out on Neeld, it is unjust

I agree the problem was created by the Club, but the reality now is that MN must go and quickly.

It is really interesting how many supporters are just happy to stay within 60 odd points. Dee supporters have well and truly raised the white flag. If Neeld was in charge of Carlton or Essendon under similar circumstances he would have been lynched by now. Our lot just slow hand clap and raise the white flag. Bloody hell!

Good post 'Soidee' - the apparent lack of action by the Board and the lack of a 'media savvy' comment says a lot!

The Club certainly does need leadership from the top 'Unleash Hell', but it has not occurred to date.

As for 'year's end', the Club cannot afford to wait that long!

As for the selection of MN as an untried coach - MFC were clear that they wanted an experienced coach - why then did they panic and appoint an untried coach, and why MN when there were several other possibilities?

Sure, you may say hindsight is a wonderful thing, but IMO the Board has a lot to answer for in this situation.

All this discussion is doing is to confirm that we had a relatively young list full of potential before MN arrived.

MN failed to develop most on that list (apart from those he removed in one way or another) and he brought in players mostly of little value.

My summation is that, apart from drafting youngsters which anyone can do, Clark may be OK if he can remain fit, Dawes has a lot to prove, and the rest of the mature imports are not worth what we lost to get them.

None of the MN supporters have mentioned Dunn as an improver - he was struggling to get a game, but now seems to be performing a reasonable role in the team.

Jones, Frawley, Garland etc etc would all have improved themselves under any circumstances, as would many of the younger, no-name players - their own pride lifts them, even if MN can't get his act together as a coach. Never underestimate the individual's pride in their own performance - amidst heavy losses, it often appears that all players are bad, but IMO this is not the case. Maybe this is why other clubs circle MFC to pick individual players.

Looks like MFC can't win - they can't afford to sack MN and they can't afford to keep him and let the damage continue!

I guess that's what happens when a Board keeps making wrong decisions.

Media 101 for the MFC Board - never get the media off-side - continual references to Chocco being a luxury as an assistant and looking after the bench for the Tigers tonight.

If it does happen, what an irony - Chocco (PA premiership coach) replaces MN who replaced DB who was an assistant under Chocco when PA won the flag!

You only picked this date because a Board meeting was already fixtured and the media assumed that was the best place to fire a bloke - during their previously mandated meeting.

What, we can't get the band together for a special assembly of the Board?

I have said this before - I am more than happy to get these changes to the FD done concurrently to a removal of the coach.

I am not surprised the Board has decided, or been advised by JAFLckson, that a caretaker for Rd 11 (!) onwards is pointless and worthless.

Just a small point of order 'rpfc' - why did the' normal' Board meeting occur much earlier in the day than usual - were they seeking attention.....???