Sure, this year we've lacked potentcy in attack whilst our defence has been good on many occasions, but we haven't played well as a team. Against the warriors we looked flat footed and really struggled to break their line. We even threw up a few kicks to try something different, which hasn't been our go since 2005.
Will a great playmaker or 2 or great signing solve this ? I think it's naive to assume so.
Playmakers can't get everyone in your team running great lines when everyones flat footed. Playmakers can't make players compete for a kick with the kind of desparation and intensity of a hungry team. Playmakers can't force players to follow up a great kick with a great chase.
Playmakers can't force everyone in the team to be focused, intense and desparate to play as if their lives depended on it and stay on your man and trust the guy inside you so you don't get caught with the overlap - like we did again tonight.
Watch Canberra, the Roosters, Titans or Tigers (Storm too) where players, not playmakers, are running angles,decoys lines, at pace, at speed questioning the defense and you'll see what I'm talking about. It's an attitude of playing, but it runs deeper than even just the players on the field.
Playmakers can't stop poisionous inter club politics from imploding a club from the inside out. And there's been plenty of that this year. Playmakers can't stop the coach from having problems with players, or not having faith or confidence in some players with players which affects performances.
The best a playmaker can do is inspire those around him to play as well as they can, but they aren't enough. A great signing or 2 or 3 aren't enough. It's a team sport. The players, the coaching team, Ossie, the board and all the inherent politics that come with this play an instrument in the grand orchestra. The music this year has lacked synchroncity or what 1eyed eel calls 'balance'.
Now, if I only knew how to achieve all that - so we could be 2011 premiers I'd be rich.
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I'm actually kinda worried about next year, I really hope the boys focus in the off season and sort their shit out.
2007 - low expectation, Prelimenary Final
2008 - high expectation, fail to make the eight.
2009 - low expectation, Grand Final.
2010 - high expectation, fail to make the eight.
Hey if it continues, then we'll win a premiership. I can't say i believe in that sort of nonsense though.
I have used the Cowboys as an example a few times before, they have the best half in the game, but still cannot get their act together on the field and produce winning results and their forward pack is not what you would call pushovers!!!
I for one am not expecting too much next year all I can say is that I hope we use the year as a year to rebuild and experiment with younger players like Mitchell and Humble in the starting line up!!! If the eels management can also keep their comments to themselves (inhouse) ( I doubt they can) and not turn the club into a "Media Circus" like it was this year it will go along way into maintaining team stability!!
Lets hope!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm expecting us to do better in 2011.
So while I agree with you that you need more than the playmaker to win, I am saying you can't win without the playmaker.
I would expect that the other components of a successful professional team would be easier to sort out. Attitude of the players comes from the leadership in the club, from the Board, to the CEO, to the coach.
I appeal to the club to focus on the job at hand, Roy & the Board & Ozy increase revenue from sponsorships and cut waste to save on running costs and stay the hell out of the coaches face, let the coach select his side and coach his side.
if the coach has no people skills then we wont make it. If the players aren't confident in the whole setup we wont make it. As the great man Jack Gibson said 'Talent is secondary to whether players are confident'
To win the title next year we need: 1: A playmaker 2: Committed Attitude from the top down. 3: The correct coaching program
Will we have that? I don't know! We may have the playmaker already, the attitude/culture is the easiest to create and as for the coach I don't have enough information to make an assessment of him, as he may have been coaching with a lot of uncertainty and distractions from internal club politics.
My Bob, not disagreeing on the benefits of a playmaker when the rest of team & coaching team & Ossie/the board & all other internal fabric works together. I loved the way Quade Cooper played against the Boks, and would be an asset for sure, but it's not enough.
Love this "As the great man Jack Gibson said 'Talent is secondary to whether players are confident' "
We've certainly lacked confidence 2010. We've gone from one the most exciting attacks in 2009 to a very frustrated team. I don't think a playmaker will change that overnight.
Ossie comments this year about putting on hold all negotiations was the nail in the coffin. It didn't work. It was an ultimatum start winning or you're out. Effectively you're telling the team they're overpaid muffins who better pull their finger out.
it's got to start there.ossie and the coaches better start pulling their fingers out.
Hopefully 2011 we'll be a more united club. A more confident club where the players, the board, the decionmakers, the coaching leg are brothers in arms. Although that might be hard to expect.
My worry is da/ossie will still have delusions believing a few signings and a playmaker is the solution. They are just passing the buck on the players. Effectively they aren't taking responsibility for realising their actions HAVE an influence on the team & the confidence and harmony of the team.
Has anyone here ever had the opportunity of working under a tyrant or a boss that has faith in you ? There is a big difference. It does affect your performance and your opportunities to perform. Which means fledging players such as Humble, Mitchell or Morts or whatever playmakers we groom won't have a chance in the long run & will either leave the club or be given a chance under a new coach.
PS: Remember our beloved Brian Smith holding J Hayne back from first grade.
Yes my Mrs reckons my boss is a real tyrant and asshole, which is a real problem for me because i am self employed!!
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