frankie_d

Heard on the train home: "we couldnt play it our way, they made us play it their way" "Hard to play against" is starting.

Yeo. Blease off Dunn on. Any news on the radio

Blease looks slow. Injured?

6 clanger kicking errors. Terrible. Why?

" In the same quarter he chose not to go for a mark about 30 metres out for goal when he had a perfect run at it and would have jumped over the other people pushing and shoving" yep " but Watts sensed Robinson coming and instead of jumping for the mark and attacking the ball, he took a couple of steps backward to avoid any body contact. Bruise free football right there." yep And a few others too. I'm a fan and I think he's the best user of the ball we have (maybe Clark) - but both those occasions reinforce the view of those who think that he's soft. Compare and contrast young Tom MacDonald - same shape body - but wants the contest Don't want Watts to be J Brown, but has to go when it's his turn... when it's his turn

What? Ran out legs, not quite good enough. Watts not convincing (2 very marginal efforts in last quarter) but not a pathetic effort.

nicholson and davis!

Know what you mean, but I can't help thinking about the wins over Sydney and the Dons - we looked like greased lightening - our players weren't running faster - out ball movement made us look fast

from the melbournefc web site (not thrilling - mainly platitudes - what else can you expect from a public statement?) http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/136449/default.aspx Message from the President Dear Supporters of our Club, I write to assure you that everyone at the Club is focused on our on field performance. We are not hiding from the fact that our current situation is unacceptable, and all our efforts are being directed into addressing this area of our Club. We have completely rebuilt our football department and appointed experienced, talented and credible people to oversee the development of a relatively young and inexperienced playing list. In Mark Neeld, we have a respected leader who will take this Club forward. He has a very clear vision for our team and I know he is the right man for the job. Our players are on a steep learning curve. They have been set new standards of training, and a new style of play. There have been signs that we have been moving in the right direction, but this amount of change will take time. It will take time for the game plan to become instinctive, and for the players to have the confidence in themselves and each other to execute at the standard we require. In a broader Club sense, we have spent four years rebuilding the structural and financial foundations of the Club, and they are sound. We have a comprehensive strategy that addresses all aspects of our Club, and all issues facing our future growth and development. Our Balance Sheet is positive, and financial projections are encouraging. We have dealt with a critical sponsorship issue, and come out with three potential long term partners. We have had four years of record memberships, and despite our on field performance, we expect this year’s number to be only slightly down on last year. But the bottom line is you, our supporters, want to see results on the field, and so does everyone involved with the Melbourne Football Club. We are determined, united and focused on getting our footy right. We are eight games into a longer term plan to build our Club to be something great, based on the strong foundations that have been established over the past four years. We trust in the expertise and experience of our football department and we must - and will - give them the time and resources to get this right. To do this, even though things seem extremely tough, we need the continued support from everyone who has a passion for the Melbourne Football Club. Yours sincerely, -------------------

Just on Twitter: Melbourne FC ‏@melbournefc Our President, Don McLardy, will appear on Fox Footy's On The Couch at 8.30pm tonight. could those with FoxTel please put up a summary? thanks

wow. If you've been given correct info, then this is fatal unless excised - NOW. Pay them out, whatever, just get them out of the Club now. If we play kids and get smashed, then OK, but if these 4 - 5 are the likely suspects then get them out NOW I want to not be able to believe this, but, sadly, I can believe it. Fsck them - OUT NOW.

Gosh the ignore setting in the user profile is useful.

There is an excellent "Ignore" feature in the profile settings. I am just going to alter mine slightly, and my Demonland enjoyment will increase greatly ...

Just upgraded to a Trident membership. Wonder who I'll meet at the Game? the club must communicate with the members, give its full support to Neeld and make sure there are no places for anyone to hide. We need to be smart in managing the media and make sure that Tighd K article is on every staff member's desk and every player's locker. Go Dees

I know what you mean. Bruise free footy is not an appealing prospect to me. But that's how bad MM (a mate of Neild) thinks things are!

Malthouse on 3AW - time to do the things the players enjoy and focus on the things they do well - further criticism and negativity will be destructive. Then when they've got some confidence, go to the things that aren't well done. I'm a Neeld fan - I hope Craig is in his ear supporting him and giving him this sort of advice.

I'll try to use shorter words next time

lets tune in to 3AW at midday and see if it's her, eh?

From the pre-season video of Neeld to the players: """ I'm not going to be promise or be hollow. I'm just going to give you commitment. You can trust me ... that if the bloke you're sitting beside can't do that to a level I'll set, he won't play. """ I really hope we can trust him. It's time for a few to be not playing - ever again. Ever.Again. What? We might get thrashed if we play the kids --- oh, wait. What? We won't have any senior on field leadership if we play the kids -- oh, wait.

Jose ... Anything for us???

Just watched the replay of Casey vs Box Hill. If you didn't know who Jack Watts was, you'd be pretty surprised that he got the call. All I can do is trust Neeld

"empty gestures and meaningless external appearances" sounds a lot like the way we play. Only winners can be grinners on game day.

Agree 100% with the respect, but terrible if one of our players was on the sauce over the w/end. All part of the same problem, for mine

this Sunday just passed - after the Fri night drubbing - that Sunday? I really hope not...

"Culture" is a dark word on D'Land - some think it's at the core, others say that's all BS. I'm in the former group Can't imagine the great Jim ("Mirror") Cardwell ever uttering the phrase "Bifold of Opportunity". He would have, on hearing the phrase, thought it's complete BS and the speaker a w@nker. No blazers until you earn them - putting up a facade that mimics the glory years is delusional. "Honour before Honours" should be our motto. *Edit: spelling