Too many January fluff pieces!!

[Ari]

Players putting themselves to the test

Essendon coach Matthew Knights says his playing group is pushing itself to the limit in preparation for the NAB Cup opener against Brisbane on the Gold Coast on February 16. “At the moment I can only compliment the group on the way they are attacking training. They are certainly performing at a good pace which allows them to really test themselves - they have given themselves the best possible opportunity to improve,” Knights said.
“The most pleasing aspect of training post-Christmas has been the consistency of the whole group and the condition they have all come back in.

“They have obviously all put in a lot of work over the break and have come back ready to do skills sessions at top end speed. The last thing you want to have to do in the first week is to have to kick their legs back in, but the sensational effort that they have put in over the Christmas period has allowed us to get straight into the top end speed skills.”

With round one of the NAB Cup quickly approaching, Knights is looking forward to a solid practice match in the coming weeks.

“In order to really assess the players’ skill, we need to measure it against quality defence,” Knights said. “As we get closer to our practice matches, I think we will get a better guide as to where the players are at because there will be a greater focus on one-on-one work and more match-up work at training.

Knights has not only been impressed with the playing group but has also praised the support of the football department in ensuring the Bombers are in their best condition.

“I think it gives you a degree of calmness as a coach when you feel the team is embracing what we are putting in place as a coaching team,” Knights said. “It’s not just myself but also the assistant coaches and the fitness team and the sports scientists – everyone is contributing.

“As a coaching group, we are making sure that we are united and all across what we are wanting to teach all the players to make sure that we are consistent and that they are getting the same messages.

“We have made a real effort this year about the way we want to conduct ourselves and our standards as a football department. We are not bulletproof yet but we are aiming higher and higher to achieve better and better as a football department.

“We want to be as good as we can possibly be and, particularly for the players, we want to be there to make their job easier and to give them the best chance at on-field success.”

Knights also praised the support shown by the Essendon faithful following his appointment as senior coach.

“It has given me a real sense of pride to think that the membership is strong,” Knights said. “It is a hugely important part of the organisation that our membership is doing well and our supporters are looking forward to the season ahead. I think that is an indication that they are looking forward to the season ahead and it makes you feel excited as a playing and coaching group.

“As a coach I feel really pleased with the support I am getting from the entire club whether it be the board, the administration, the players, etc. I am grateful that everyone has thrown their weight behind me as coach and it gives you a degree of calmness and comfort heading into the new season.”

To purchase your membership today phone Client Services on 9230 0390 or click here.

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/news.asp?nid=5556

 

[Ari]

While the above article is very positive and speaks volumes for the efforts the players are puting in I'd like to think I'm not alone in cringing as I read it?

The fact is, right now Essendon are a bottom 4 team. Simple as that. They need to do a LOT to get back in the top 4. Are they doing it? I don't want our players reading the above and hearing of how wonderful they are. I'm not entirely convinced that will make them work harder but indeed the opposite. It will tell them they're moving at a pace above Knights expectations and things are preety good.

Now, feel free to correct me... but I'm not convinced Knights knows what it takes just yet at this level. It's the AFL. The Premier level of Aussie Rules in the country. We don't need to be just training well, we need to be winning. The players should be absolutely flogged to the outhouse to bring their performance up to what is expected of an Essendon Football Club player.

Now, in fairless I don't know that that's not happening behind closed doors but articles like this just don't do much for me. I find it akin to something I'd expect to read of St Kilda or Richmond where there's no expectation to win.

It's probably just a 'member drive' but I sure hope Knights isn't telling the players the same story above. If he is and we get smashed in the early parts of the year or even against Brisbane in our opening pre-season then there will be more than enough egg to go around.

 

[jodo27]

While the above article is very positive and speaks volumes for the efforts the players are puting in I'd like to think I'm not alone in cringing as I read it?

The fact is, right now Essendon are a bottom 4 team. Simple as that.

Fact is, right now Essendon finished above Richmond, Carlton, Melbourne and Western Bulldogs ...

How then is it a fact that we are a bottom 4 team ?

 

[Longy413]

It's Essendon Football Club publicity, it's not mainstream publicity.

It's nothing different to what each club produces about their own backyard.
Don't have a problem with it.

I think you might want to give our players a little more credit than to believe in their own "hype"

At the same time, if they are reading and believing any of this, it's also important for them (and supporters) to know that they are heading in the direction the coach wants them too.

Most of this stuff goes in one ear and out the other though doesn't it?

 

[TheCoach]

While the above article is very positive and speaks volumes for the efforts the players are puting in I'd like to think I'm not alone in cringing as I read it?

The fact is, right now Essendon are a bottom 4 team. Simple as that.

Fact is, right now Essendon finished above Richmond, Carlton, Melbourne and Western Bulldogs ...

How then is it a fact that we are a bottom 4 team ?

Thinking the same thing

Anyway, its the off-season and supporters need something, anything to help ease the pain of having no footy to watch. I don't mind how much they 'fluff' it up because we're all intelligent enough to know the proof will be in our performances come the H&A season. I'm glad the EFC take time to keep us informed.

 

[DaSawx]

Fact is we're a 10 win side with hopefully a more complete game-plan next year.

 

[SirJimi05]

While the above article is very positive and speaks volumes for the efforts the players are puting in I'd like to think I'm not alone in cringing as I read it?

The fact is, right now Essendon are a bottom 4 team. Simple as that. They need to do a LOT to get back in the top 4. Are they doing it? I don't want our players reading the above and hearing of how wonderful they are. I'm not entirely convinced that will make them work harder but indeed the opposite. It will tell them they're moving at a pace above Knights expectations and things are preety good.

Now, feel free to correct me... but I'm not convinced Knights knows what it takes just yet at this level. It's the AFL. The Premier level of Aussie Rules in the country. We don't need to be just training well, we need to be winning. The players should be absolutely flogged to the outhouse to bring their performance up to what is expected of an Essendon Football Club player.

Now, in fairless I don't know that that's not happening behind closed doors but articles like this just don't do much for me. I find it akin to something I'd expect to read of St Kilda or Richmond where there's no expectation to win.

It's probably just a 'member drive' but I sure hope Knights isn't telling the players the same story above. If he is and we get smashed in the early parts of the year or even against Brisbane in our opening pre-season then there will be more than enough egg to go around.

Actually, the only fact is that right now Essendon are not a bottom 4 side

 

[Ari]

Actually, the only fact is that right now Essendon are not a bottom 4 side

Okay, they're a bottom 5 team. Does it make that big a difference? Remove Hird and where does that leave them?

The fact is Essendon are in trouble. They won a lot of close games last year by under a few goals. While it's fantastic they won some of the close ones they lost in 2006 it's still not good that their percentage was so poor as they could not 'finish' teams off.

2005 - 13th - bottom 4
2006 - 15th - bottom 2
2007 - 12th - bottom 5

 

[bomba4eva]

Okay, they're a bottom 5 team. Does it make that big a difference? Remove Hird and where does that leave them?

The fact is Essendon are in trouble. They won a lot of close games last year by under a few goals. While it's fantastic they won some of the close ones they lost in 2006 it's still not good that their percentage was so poor as they could not 'finish' teams off.

2005 - 13th - bottom 4
2006 - 15th - bottom 2
2007 - 12th - bottom 5

With young and developing sides they dint always finish off their opposition, but they do fight. Brisbane is the only game I can recall where we really pulled away and posted a big win. We did win the close ones and the fact that we won them last season rather than in 06 shows a stronger mental fortitude and confidence in themselves. Essendon arent in trouble-just yet. If kids step up which we didnt expect and the gameplan is sound we could definitely make the 8. Your pessimism is dreary to read and seeing as it is the off season surely you need to have some expctations or else what would be the point of following us in 08. There will be teams moving up and down the ladder, and I can see us surpassing Adelaide, Sydney etc on the ladder if things go right.
Btw, would you rather the club telling the fans that the pre season has been horrible, work ethic is extremely poor and we are already behind the eight ball from the other teams?
Yeah, I thought not.

 

[Darealrath]

I'm cynical about it all but I'll still love reading anything positive about Essendon over the summer.

I see us improving on last year if injuries don't cripple us.

 

[Burzum]

Okay, they're a bottom 5 team. Does it make that big a difference? Remove Hird and where does that leave them?

The fact is Essendon are in trouble. They won a lot of close games last year by under a few goals. While it's fantastic they won some of the close ones they lost in 2006 it's still not good that their percentage was so poor as they could not 'finish' teams off.

2005 - 13th - bottom 4
2006 - 15th - bottom 2
2007 - 12th - bottom 5

Don't factor in our player improvements at all.

 

[ant555]

While the above article is very positive and speaks volumes for the efforts the players are puting in I'd like to think I'm not alone in cringing as I read it?

The fact is, right now Essendon are a bottom 4 team. Simple as that. They need to do a LOT to get back in the top 4. Are they doing it? I don't want our players reading the above and hearing of how wonderful they are. I'm not entirely convinced that will make them work harder but indeed the opposite. It will tell them they're moving at a pace above Knights expectations and things are preety good.

Now, feel free to correct me... but I'm not convinced Knights knows what it takes just yet at this level. It's the AFL. The Premier level of Aussie Rules in the country. We don't need to be just training well, we need to be winning. The players should be absolutely flogged to the outhouse to bring their performance up to what is expected of an Essendon Football Club player.

Now, in fairless I don't know that that's not happening behind closed doors but articles like this just don't do much for me. I find it akin to something I'd expect to read of St Kilda or Richmond where there's no expectation to win.

It's probably just a 'member drive' but I sure hope Knights isn't telling the players the same story above. If he is and we get smashed in the early parts of the year or even against Brisbane in our opening pre-season then there will be more than enough egg to go around.

So you don't read the training reports here or the ones done on Bomber Blitz?

 

[mitch-wa]

We don't need to be just training well, we need to be winning

Bit hard to be winning before the season starts

 

[Big Scottknowsall]

While the above article is very positive and speaks volumes for the efforts the players are puting in I'd like to think I'm not alone in cringing as I read it?

The fact is, right now Essendon are a bottom 4 team. Simple as that. They need to do a LOT to get back in the top 4. Are they doing it? I don't want our players reading the above and hearing of how wonderful they are. I'm not entirely convinced that will make them work harder but indeed the opposite. It will tell them they're moving at a pace above Knights expectations and things are preety good.

Now, feel free to correct me... but I'm not convinced Knights knows what it takes just yet at this level. It's the AFL. The Premier level of Aussie Rules in the country. We don't need to be just training well, we need to be winning. The players should be absolutely flogged to the outhouse to bring their performance up to what is expected of an Essendon Football Club player.

Now, in fairless I don't know that that's not happening behind closed doors but articles like this just don't do much for me. I find it akin to something I'd expect to read of St Kilda or Richmond where there's no expectation to win.

It's probably just a 'member drive' but I sure hope Knights isn't telling the players the same story above. If he is and we get smashed in the early parts of the year or even against Brisbane in our opening pre-season then there will be more than enough egg to go around.

Agree completely and have been saying it for over a month now....can not be good.

 

[bomba4eva]

Agree completely and have been saying it for over a month now....can not be good.

What would you rather hear then mate?

 

[warney7]

If we believe these articles, Essendon will win the NAB cup no worries at all.

It's a tough one.

We want to hear good things, but then we hear too many good things, too many cliche's and then we start to get sick of it.

It's been a long off/pre-season and the proof will be in the pudding, and really we'll only find out in the season proper.

I still think we'll be first round losers in the NAB cup, which isn't what you'd expect from all these articles.

 

[Ari]

With young and developing sides they dint always finish off their opposition, but they do fight. Brisbane is the only game I can recall where we really pulled away and posted a big win. We did win the close ones and the fact that we won them last season rather than in 06 shows a stronger mental fortitude and confidence in themselves.

Could not agree more. It was certainly great to see us win the close ones. I went to just about every game in 06 and 07 and I think we all had our hearts broken in 06 then the joy of winning a few of those 07 games. Fantastic.

As you said though, the fact they dug deep. A perfect example was the Weagles game at the Dome. They were well down but dug in and always believed they could win it. Positive for sure.

Essendon arent in trouble-just yet. If kids step up which we didnt expect and the gameplan is sound we could definitely make the 8. Your pessimism is dreary to read and seeing as it is the off season surely you need to have some expctations or else what would be the point of following us in 08.

I don't think we can rely on kids moving up. If it happens, then great but that's a development. Players like Gumby need to be left to themselves and if it happens it's a bonus.

I'm not trying to be particularly pessimistic in this thread just pointing out that I don't believe it's positive to have articles like the one above. I don't really want to hear that they're "training the house down". It kinda puts the mozz on em. I'd prefer to just see them come out and give it all they've got.

There will be teams moving up and down the ladder, and I can see us surpassing Adelaide, Sydney etc on the ladder if things go right.
Btw, would you rather the club telling the fans that the pre season has been horrible, work ethic is extremely poor and we are already behind the eight ball from the other teams? Yeah, I thought not.

If the club believe we're behind the 8-ball I'd want them to tell us that. From there perhaps the players will get a kick up the arse from the media as they would deserve. Tell it like it is. In saying that, if it's going well then tell it well... but maybe not as sugar-coated as they have.

 

[Ari]

Don't factor in our player improvements at all.

Every club has players who are improving. Why are we different in that facet? If you want to look at it that way we've got a little way to go before our playing list gets that sweet spot of 24 yr olds. At the moment we're either young or old.

 

[Ari]

So you don't read the training reports here or the ones done on Bomber Blitz?

I do read them actually, have read them on Blitz for years... both yours and Carlas. Appreciate the fact you do them.

 

[Ari]

We don't need to be just training well, we need to be winning

Bit hard to be winning before the season starts

True that. But if we aren't playing then we aren't winning and we should take a large cup of STFU until we are.

That said, we need to shout 'something' out being the fact it's member-drive time so it's gotta be a compromise of sorts.

 

[whirl]

More fluff please, it's fun!

 

[SirJimi05]

We all love the muff......i mean fluff.....

I myself can't get enough!

 

[GoDons]

Okay, they're a bottom 5 team. Does it make that big a difference? Remove Hird and where does that leave them?

Our performance last year can be described as bottom 5, but at the same time it can be described as 2 wins away from the finals. There's a positive and negative connotation for everything. I think 2007 team performance has to be described as ordinary, without being terrible.

I really dislike this idea that Essendon is going to capitulate as a result of Hird's retirement. Hird's retirement opens up opportunities for guys to take on more responsibility. I remember hearing Gary O'Donnell talking about Ricky Dyson and saying that if he was going for the ball alongside James Hird he'd just let Hird take it. There won't be that fall back option anymore, and it will force guys like Dyson to lift their game.

The other thing is that we have numerous midfielders that should continue to improve; guys like Monfries, Winderlich, Stanton, Watson and Lovett. In a way, widespread improvement from guys that have proven that they've got talent should amount to Hird's value.

Also, we'll have a whole new game plan that won't involve James Hird at all. This could provide guys with new roles that they're far more suited to. This of course is a big 'if'.

The fact is Essendon are in trouble. They won a lot of close games last year by under a few goals. While it's fantastic they won some of the close ones they lost in 2006 it's still not good that their percentage was so poor as they could not 'finish' teams off.

A lot can change in a year. Margins can often come down to confidence, and there's no reason why we couldn't develop some more of that in 2008.

2008 will be a different group with different plans. To me, all those statistics show is that wasn't a massive difference between us and a lot of other sides last year.

Now, feel free to correct me... but I'm not convinced Knights knows what it takes just yet at this level. It's the AFL. The Premier level of Aussie Rules in the country.

Coaching's a massive test and many have tried and failed.

The fact of the matter is that we just don't know if Knights will pass or not. No one should be convinced but no one should be writing him off on the basis that AFL is such a hard level to be successful at. He passed of the tests to be where he's at right now, he's as well placed as anyone to be having a crack at it.

There's simply no one that could be completely convinced about.

 

[bomba4eva]

I don't think we can rely on kids moving up. If it happens, then great but that's a development. Players like Gumby need to be left to themselves and if it happens it's a bonus.
If the club believe we're behind the 8-ball I'd want them to tell us that. From there perhaps the players will get a kick up the arse from the media as they would deserve. Tell it like it is. In saying that, if it's going well then tell it well... but maybe not as sugar-coated as they have.

The only way I believe that we will make finals is if the kids do step up. Im not talking about Hislop slotting into the team straight away and winning the hard ball and pulling off 20 high quality possessions every game. Iim talking about the gradual development we expect at their age with a couple surprising us in their rapid development. I refer to Monfries, Stanton and Watson getting better with their decision making and skills and learning to work cohesively with each other. A more accountable gameplan and skills work should mean less turnovers and less pressure on the defence. We need to find players to cover for Michael and Fletcher. There are many interesting aspects at this stage to Essendon's season which is why I am so excited about season 08 and our prospects. Hopefully we do knock off Brisbane round 1 as a good pre season will benefit the teams confidence. Not all teams drastically fall away like Carlton

 

[ant555]

I do read them actually, have read them on Blitz for years... both yours and Carlas. Appreciate the fact you do them.

Well then you should know that pretty much everyone on the list has come back fitter than they have ever been.
These articles may not have a lot of substance or any real hard fatcs but they are what they are. Promotional stories aimed at keeping the Essendon brand in the news in some way (posative that is). I fail to see what the fuss is about. I simply skip through them quickly and forget them. Most supporters know deep down where we are at. Most know that one of the big unkowns is how Kinghts will go on match day in the box.
I have to say i am super impressed with what i have seen so far. The attention to detail in every aspect from training to rehab to complety changing the set up as far as football department personal at Bendigo has been extremely good.
The fact that you can go to training and actually see players putting on blocks in drills and maning the mark with some sort of conviction is very encouraging. These are only two aspects that have been lacking from training in the past but they are very important.
The other important factor i have heard from several sources is the lines of comunication are a lot clearer. Everyone knows what is expected and there are no mixed messages like there had been in the last few years.
Im yet to be convinced that Kinghts has what it takes to be a good coach at AFL level. Until he coach's in a game you wont know. I am convinced that we have the best man to develop the young players on our list. He may not be our next premiership coach but i will say with confidence that whatever happens his work with the young players will benifit us at some stage down the track.