From The Armchair #9 - A Knights Tale "Episode 3"
By No32
Quite frankly there are few things that are really starting to piss me off with this forum and supporters. These are the things they whine, sook and complain about..
1. Game Plan (eg: “Can’t play that game plan with that cattle”, “He doesn’t have a B, C or D game plan”, blah blah blah)
2. Stanton/Watson/Hille (eg: “Can’t kick, can’t run, can’t tackle, blah blah blah…sounds like another Snipes/Harrelson movie)
3. If Sheeds ( F**** Sheeds)
4. Trade
5. Who’s Our Next Hird (Thomas, stop comparing others or trying to find something, he’s gone get on with life)
6. Our Best 5 or Best Spine (How about we get some players who play their guts out, I don’t care who they are)
Now I will pick the eyeballs out of the people who continue after Round Bloody 7 mind you wanting Knights to change his game plan, tweak this jib that. How about you all smoke a peace pipe, hang out down at Fremantle for a couple weeks and get some FREAKIN PERSPECTIVE!!!!
Lets use the example of Hawthorn and Alistair Clarkson. He came in set the direction and the plan, the board backed him in. Many supporters and ex players called for Clarko’s head, even up until the start of the 2007 season. Calls for “Bring back Matthews”… so lets fast forward to Round 7 2008. Hawthorn finished in the Top 8 for the first time in a long time, so far this year they are 7-0 and just behind Geelong on %, and they took to pieces last years Prelim Finalist who also took Geelong to the wire in Collingwood.
Now everyone will start going on about their drafting, trading etc… blah blah blah (WE KNOW), they did a great job, secured some super talent, but also uncovered in late rounds gems like McGlynn, Birchall, Gilham, SEWELL etc…Just now is Hawthorn starting to reap the benefits of STICKING to the PLAN, and how many people who called for Clarko’s head be after Matthew now?
Game plans take time, rebuilding your list takes time, address area’s of deficiency take time, lets not forget Sheedy was at the club for 27 years, and so many things that have and had been in place would be deeply ingrained into the culture and way they do things.
Knights has to undo that, redress the areas of concern which was skills by hand and foot. It’s something we have known for years yet something which it appears Sheedy neglected as he had a knack of picking talented players…which got harder as the work by recruiters became better and better.
Knights has a plan and his is all out attack, he wants his players to find their flair, find their creativity. Sure we make a bucket load of mistakes, but he is sticking with the plan. As for our defence, we have been getting hammered, but really can you tell me we had a great defensive unit to start with. Sure we have Fletch, Mal and Ryder…Fletch and Mal are the old school and the wrong side of 30 and Ryder is what 20, still learning his craft at the start of his 3rd year.
Has anyone thought that Knights game plan is there to expose this side for ALL ITS FLAWS, to peel back the skin RAW. It shows the defiencies of the team and the individual in plain light for all to see, and he can go one of 2 ways. Work with the player or move them on? So what if we are not playing accountable football. I don’t think thats in Knights plan, it’s just the players are not used to what he wants and they might not have the skills and awareness to make it happen..some will in time and other will fall by the side and the Bomber Ship continues on. (Remember flooding hides flaws in a teams game)
All of this before I even mention the fact we have been The Alfred Hospital. McVeigh, Lucas, Dempsey, Gumbleton, on and on have all fallen prey to injuries and on the weekend 10 players out of the 22 had played less than 10 GAMES…. thats alot of inexperience IMHO, so what do we expect. Its not f*** Chris Webber, Jalen Rose and crew from the Michigan Fab 5, this is Aussie Bloody F**** Rules football…and you need 22 contributors and you cannot expect that consistency from 10 players who have just found out they have pubes!!!!
So for all you so called armchair experts with your theories on game plans and styles, how about for once in your pointless existence back the new man in with his method, with his madness and get on board for the ride. As it seems you have become all to accustomed to success and Sheedy misdirection. Get real, Get a life and learn that we are now back with the pack and Knights is going to do his best to raise the Titanic…..
It’s upto you whether you want to throw a rock on or off the Titanic which is important!!!
Posted 6 May 08 in News
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