Sunday, October 01, 2006
Floundering Fozzie - update
I'd considered giving a more detailed analysis of Craig Foster's latest pathetic diatribe in the Sydney Morning Herald, but it's barely worth the effort. Suffice to say that he has been, for the last month, steadily losing touch with reality; he now expects a club in its second year of existence, still struggling with a hefty wage bill and stadium rental, not to mention a limited roster, to put in place a "football department", with the rather nebulous function of providing:
...long-term strategic plans for recruitment, the scouting process, player development, coaching appointments and, most urgently, the football philosophy...
That's just fine, Craig. We'll hire a pile of experts from your favoured footballing regions to come and provide us with the fruit of their collective wisdom, provided you cough up the dough. Deal?
Apparently, though, the likes of Barcelona, Ajax, Bayern Munich and others do this, so Sydney FC should as well. The fact that these are clubs with half a century of history behind them, worldwide fan bases and multi-million dollar transfer kitties seems to have flown under Fozzie's particular radar.
His Terry Butcher fixation, meanwhile, is moving beyond embarrassing and becoming downright repugnant.
His Littbarski comparisons are not only deeply unfair, given the ever-changing playing roster that Butcher has had to deal with for the first few rounds of the A-League, but also deeply ignorant. To wit:
...No club with a sound football strategy would employ Pierre Littbarski one year then Terry Butcher the next, and expect any continuity of style...
Well, erm, yes, Craig. That was rather the point. Given the turgid football produced under Littbarski last season, I'm sure most Sydney FC fans, not to mention the board, would have been quite happy with a discontinuity of style, shall we say.
And I wonder if Foster is aware that any "sound football strategy" in the matter of Sydney FC's new coaching appointment had to dovetail with sound fiscal practice, given that the new manager was never going to be allowed the bloated package offered to Littbarski, thereby cutting down the club's options considerably.
Terry Butcher has hardly made a good beginning, it is true. His comments about fighting spirit and siege mentalities have smacked of a dearth of ideas, his tactics and selections have been questionable, and his relationship with his squad is clearly not all that it could be. But the fact remains that his decimated squad holds third place in the league, that several key players are still to return, and, importantly, that some other players (Alex Brosque in particular) are yet to regain full match-fitness.
Butcher may deserve criticism, but he does not deserve the sort of pig-headed, ill-informed assault he has been copping from Craig Foster's pen over the last few weeks.
...long-term strategic plans for recruitment, the scouting process, player development, coaching appointments and, most urgently, the football philosophy...
That's just fine, Craig. We'll hire a pile of experts from your favoured footballing regions to come and provide us with the fruit of their collective wisdom, provided you cough up the dough. Deal?
Apparently, though, the likes of Barcelona, Ajax, Bayern Munich and others do this, so Sydney FC should as well. The fact that these are clubs with half a century of history behind them, worldwide fan bases and multi-million dollar transfer kitties seems to have flown under Fozzie's particular radar.
His Terry Butcher fixation, meanwhile, is moving beyond embarrassing and becoming downright repugnant.
His Littbarski comparisons are not only deeply unfair, given the ever-changing playing roster that Butcher has had to deal with for the first few rounds of the A-League, but also deeply ignorant. To wit:
...No club with a sound football strategy would employ Pierre Littbarski one year then Terry Butcher the next, and expect any continuity of style...
Well, erm, yes, Craig. That was rather the point. Given the turgid football produced under Littbarski last season, I'm sure most Sydney FC fans, not to mention the board, would have been quite happy with a discontinuity of style, shall we say.
And I wonder if Foster is aware that any "sound football strategy" in the matter of Sydney FC's new coaching appointment had to dovetail with sound fiscal practice, given that the new manager was never going to be allowed the bloated package offered to Littbarski, thereby cutting down the club's options considerably.
Terry Butcher has hardly made a good beginning, it is true. His comments about fighting spirit and siege mentalities have smacked of a dearth of ideas, his tactics and selections have been questionable, and his relationship with his squad is clearly not all that it could be. But the fact remains that his decimated squad holds third place in the league, that several key players are still to return, and, importantly, that some other players (Alex Brosque in particular) are yet to regain full match-fitness.
Butcher may deserve criticism, but he does not deserve the sort of pig-headed, ill-informed assault he has been copping from Craig Foster's pen over the last few weeks.
Comments:
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Long-term strategic plans for recruitment, the scouting process, player development, coaching appointments and, most urgently, the football philosophy....
Well Mike, the forward thinking state league clubs and lower division clubs looking to make the state league certainly attempt to fulfill these criteria so I don't see why an A league club wouldn't find strategic plans along these lines useful. Businesses are based on them nowadays to a large degree.
Butcher has made a meal of his opportunity so far. He has lacked any demonstration of ability to cope with anything outside his mundane playing plan, has failed in basic man management and has done nothing any mid level senior local coach could do.
Well Mike, the forward thinking state league clubs and lower division clubs looking to make the state league certainly attempt to fulfill these criteria so I don't see why an A league club wouldn't find strategic plans along these lines useful. Businesses are based on them nowadays to a large degree.
Butcher has made a meal of his opportunity so far. He has lacked any demonstration of ability to cope with anything outside his mundane playing plan, has failed in basic man management and has done nothing any mid level senior local coach could do.
# posted by 
: October 1, 2006 at 6:11 PM
: October 1, 2006 at 6:11 PM
...Long-term strategic plans for recruitment, the scouting process, player development, coaching appointments and, most urgently, the football philosophy....
Well Mike, the forward thinking state league clubs and lower division clubs looking to make the state league certainly attempt to fulfill these criteria so I don't see why an A league club wouldn't find strategic plans along these lines useful....
Do these state league clubs have an actual "football department", of paid "experts", within the club?
...Butcher has made a meal of his opportunity so far. He has lacked any demonstration of ability to cope with anything outside his mundane playing plan...
Simply not true. He reshaped the team appropriately and well when going down to ten men against both Adelaide (pre-season) and Melbourne.
Let's not rewrite history.
Well Mike, the forward thinking state league clubs and lower division clubs looking to make the state league certainly attempt to fulfill these criteria so I don't see why an A league club wouldn't find strategic plans along these lines useful....
Do these state league clubs have an actual "football department", of paid "experts", within the club?
...Butcher has made a meal of his opportunity so far. He has lacked any demonstration of ability to cope with anything outside his mundane playing plan...
Simply not true. He reshaped the team appropriately and well when going down to ten men against both Adelaide (pre-season) and Melbourne.
Let's not rewrite history.
From what I've seen to date Sydney are not playing good football and are lucky to be where they are on the table. There's a point where Butcher has to take responsibility for this.
As for the "long term strategic plans for recruitment" etc, I simply wouldn't know what the standards and possibilities are. Sydney has some damn good players though, so I fear Foster may be missing the point if nothing else.
I suspect Adelaide will flog Sydney tomorrow, but of much greater concern to me is just that both teams play with some team vision and flair. I've seen that from Adelaide. The big picture at this vulnerable time for the A-League is that all the teams strive to play high quality, beautiful football.
As for the "long term strategic plans for recruitment" etc, I simply wouldn't know what the standards and possibilities are. Sydney has some damn good players though, so I fear Foster may be missing the point if nothing else.
I suspect Adelaide will flog Sydney tomorrow, but of much greater concern to me is just that both teams play with some team vision and flair. I've seen that from Adelaide. The big picture at this vulnerable time for the A-League is that all the teams strive to play high quality, beautiful football.
Simply not true. He reshaped the team appropriately and well when going down to ten men against both Adelaide (pre-season) and Melbourne.
What nonsense, he did nothing more than any average coach would / could / should do. If you think that was good good coaching you need to go to a level 1 coaching course Mike. It was standard crisis management for a football coach.
Stating the obvious is no more history.
What nonsense, he did nothing more than any average coach would / could / should do. If you think that was good good coaching you need to go to a level 1 coaching course Mike. It was standard crisis management for a football coach.
Stating the obvious is no more history.
# posted by : October 1, 2006 at 10:16 PM
: October 1, 2006 at 10:16 PM
Do these state league clubs have an actual "football department", of paid "experts", within the club?
No, they don't need them because the man put in charge will usually do this or oversee the plan. They sometimes employ co-ordinators or assistants or utilise coaches within the club system, but that's nothing more than Sydney FC could do. Don't Sydney have assistants ? Don't Sydney have a football area in which they could utilise some of the quality coaches in the region ?
If we have someone on a budget of (say) $300,000 per year what quality of work would you want ?
Look at it form any measure and Butcher has been a failure this far.
PS : the anon previous is my post, Mikey. Wouldn't have this problem if my handle was not already taken by some imposter, lesser poster.
No, they don't need them because the man put in charge will usually do this or oversee the plan. They sometimes employ co-ordinators or assistants or utilise coaches within the club system, but that's nothing more than Sydney FC could do. Don't Sydney have assistants ? Don't Sydney have a football area in which they could utilise some of the quality coaches in the region ?
If we have someone on a budget of (say) $300,000 per year what quality of work would you want ?
Look at it form any measure and Butcher has been a failure this far.
PS : the anon previous is my post, Mikey. Wouldn't have this problem if my handle was not already taken by some imposter, lesser poster.
# posted by : October 1, 2006 at 10:27 PM
: October 1, 2006 at 10:27 PM
...Simply not true. He reshaped the team appropriately and well when going down to ten men against both Adelaide (pre-season) and Melbourne...
What nonsense, he did nothing more than any average coach would / could / should do. If you think that was good good coaching you need to go to a level 1 coaching course Mike. It was standard crisis management for a football coach....
(a) Were you there to see the Adelaide game and do you remember the changes he made when Cec got sent off,
(b) Do you actually remember the changes he made against Melbourne?
In each case, he altered the shape of the team so as to make it more effective with ten men and it worked. Don't insult me with that childish Level 1 crap, I've seen plenty of teams go down to ten and totally lose the plot.
...Do these state league clubs have an actual "football department", of paid "experts", within the club?...
No...
Thanks. That's all I wanted. That's what Fozzie is asking to be put in place, and it is impractical at this stage for SFC.
Any other statements about the duties/activities or lack thereof of SFC's assistant coaches are assumption, pure and simple.
...If we have someone on a budget of (say) $300,000 per year what quality of work would you want ?
Look at it from any measure and Butcher has been a failure this far....
Butcher has not had his team playing decent football, his yelling from the sidelines does make him look a bit of a tool, all that I'll admit. I've been critical of him in other recent pieces on this blog, as you might find out if you'd care to read on.
But facts are facts. Littbarski, with a far better squad at his disposal, had us on fewer points at this stage of last season, playing football nearly as bad. And he was on considerably more than Butcher is, for the record.
What nonsense, he did nothing more than any average coach would / could / should do. If you think that was good good coaching you need to go to a level 1 coaching course Mike. It was standard crisis management for a football coach....
(a) Were you there to see the Adelaide game and do you remember the changes he made when Cec got sent off,
(b) Do you actually remember the changes he made against Melbourne?
In each case, he altered the shape of the team so as to make it more effective with ten men and it worked. Don't insult me with that childish Level 1 crap, I've seen plenty of teams go down to ten and totally lose the plot.
...Do these state league clubs have an actual "football department", of paid "experts", within the club?...
No...
Thanks. That's all I wanted. That's what Fozzie is asking to be put in place, and it is impractical at this stage for SFC.
Any other statements about the duties/activities or lack thereof of SFC's assistant coaches are assumption, pure and simple.
...If we have someone on a budget of (say) $300,000 per year what quality of work would you want ?
Look at it from any measure and Butcher has been a failure this far....
Butcher has not had his team playing decent football, his yelling from the sidelines does make him look a bit of a tool, all that I'll admit. I've been critical of him in other recent pieces on this blog, as you might find out if you'd care to read on.
But facts are facts. Littbarski, with a far better squad at his disposal, had us on fewer points at this stage of last season, playing football nearly as bad. And he was on considerably more than Butcher is, for the record.
..Do these state league clubs have an actual "football department", of paid "experts", within the club?...
No...
Thanks. That's all I wanted. That's what Fozzie is asking to be put in place, and it is impractical at this stage for SFC.
Read the full context of what was said Mike.
No, they don't need them because the man put in charge will usually do this or oversee the plan. They sometimes employ co-ordinators or assistants or utilise coaches within the club system, but that's nothing more than Sydney FC could do. Don't Sydney have assistants ? Don't Sydney have a football area in which they could utilise some of the quality coaches in the region ?
It would seem there is an under utilisation of resources available and what's being asked about is simply a basic business plan for a football club.
I did not see the pre season game. I have watched the league games and have not seen anything to alter my view on the 10 man changes to Sydney . If you think they were innovative or anything other than standard reactions then we have varying standards of expectation. Butcher's dealing with the send off of Corica and subsequent handling of his team supports my view.
No...
Thanks. That's all I wanted. That's what Fozzie is asking to be put in place, and it is impractical at this stage for SFC.
Read the full context of what was said Mike.
No, they don't need them because the man put in charge will usually do this or oversee the plan. They sometimes employ co-ordinators or assistants or utilise coaches within the club system, but that's nothing more than Sydney FC could do. Don't Sydney have assistants ? Don't Sydney have a football area in which they could utilise some of the quality coaches in the region ?
It would seem there is an under utilisation of resources available and what's being asked about is simply a basic business plan for a football club.
I did not see the pre season game. I have watched the league games and have not seen anything to alter my view on the 10 man changes to Sydney . If you think they were innovative or anything other than standard reactions then we have varying standards of expectation. Butcher's dealing with the send off of Corica and subsequent handling of his team supports my view.
# posted by : October 2, 2006 at 9:34 AM
: October 2, 2006 at 9:34 AM
Thanks. That's all I wanted. That's what Fozzie is asking to be put in place, and it is impractical at this stage for SFC.
...Read the full context of what was said Mike....
I did. Did you read the rest of my response, in which I answered the points you make below?
Fozzie specifically refers to such schemes at clubs where there are paid experts to deal with such matters, beyond the coaching staff. That was my point.
...I did not see the pre season game....
I see. So, let's just get this clear. You're prepared to make a categorical statement such as the following:
What nonsense, he did nothing more than any average coach would / could / should do.
Partly about a game you haven't seen,
and you add, in patronising fashion:
If you think that was good good coaching you need to go to a level 1 coaching course Mike.
Again, with reference to a game you didn't see and I did.
You know, Gilby, some people just might consider that breathtakingly arrogant.
As for the Melbourne game, show me where I claimed it was innovative. Only that it was appropriate. Again, I'll ask you: do you remember the specific changes he made?
If you remember, for the half-hour after the sendoff Sydney were on top, with ten men.
...Read the full context of what was said Mike....
I did. Did you read the rest of my response, in which I answered the points you make below?
Fozzie specifically refers to such schemes at clubs where there are paid experts to deal with such matters, beyond the coaching staff. That was my point.
...I did not see the pre season game....
I see. So, let's just get this clear. You're prepared to make a categorical statement such as the following:
What nonsense, he did nothing more than any average coach would / could / should do.
Partly about a game you haven't seen,
and you add, in patronising fashion:
If you think that was good good coaching you need to go to a level 1 coaching course Mike.
Again, with reference to a game you didn't see and I did.
You know, Gilby, some people just might consider that breathtakingly arrogant.
As for the Melbourne game, show me where I claimed it was innovative. Only that it was appropriate. Again, I'll ask you: do you remember the specific changes he made?
If you remember, for the half-hour after the sendoff Sydney were on top, with ten men.
and it is impractical at this stage for SFC.
Why ? It's certainly practical and I'd expect it.
The "paid" experts doing a lot of grunt work around clubs are paid poorly and not always paid in cash but in other benefits. To organise the structure takes more time than money. Time every club has.
I see. So, let's just get this clear. You're prepared to make a categorical statement such as the following:
What nonsense, he did nothing more than any average coach would / could / should do.
Partly about a game you haven't seen,
and you add, in patronising fashion:
If you think that was good good coaching you need to go to a level 1 coaching course Mike.
Again, with reference to a game you didn't see and I did.
You know, Gilby, some people just might consider that breathtakingly arrogant.
As for the Melbourne game, show me where I claimed it was innovative. Only that it was appropriate. Again, I'll ask you: do you remember the specific changes he made?
If you remember, for the half-hour after the sendoff Sydney were on top, with ten men.
Sorry Mike. My observations are based on what I've seen. Not seeing a pre-season game would inlikely be a defining factor in assessing the league failures to date of Sydney. You referred to 2 games of which I have seen 1. My comments are based on what I have observed so far. You conveniently leave out the other league game v Newcastle where we saw Butcher in all his glory. But please tell us all what astute changes Butcher made in a pre-season game and then lets work out why he hasn't carried on such brilliant coaching methods/tactics since the league started.
The game v Melbourne was IMO likely the best they've played this year, but there were no game changing tactics or plans by Butcher. There was simply a team playing above the standards they've shown in other games (except for sporadic periods).
Doing the basic is not good coaching, it's average coaching, it's expected. I can see no reason for anyone to exude support for Butcher because he did something any coach would have done - hence my reference to innovation - if it wasn't innovative then what makes it stand out from the average coach at your local under 16s game ?
You can defend the indefensible all you like. Butcher's performance in the league warrants his replacement. Butcher's treatment of players from the bench (and from all reports elsewhere as well, but let's just take the bench activity for present) is unacceptable conduct and just downright offensive. He brings the game into disrepute by his actions and conduct. His leadership has rubbed off to his team which lacks discipline (as it will do).
So we have a high profile coach/manager who has got poor results, has a team playing poorly and who's conduct not in keeping with FFA's ideal of getting spectators to games and setting an example to the youngsters. His offensive style is not dragging spectators to games. Why would anyone keep him on ? Perhaps financial consideration only - but then it looks like Sydney's decisions post 2005/06 season have al been financially based and not football based.
Call me arrogant all you want - the majority will simply call me right.
Why ? It's certainly practical and I'd expect it.
The "paid" experts doing a lot of grunt work around clubs are paid poorly and not always paid in cash but in other benefits. To organise the structure takes more time than money. Time every club has.
I see. So, let's just get this clear. You're prepared to make a categorical statement such as the following:
What nonsense, he did nothing more than any average coach would / could / should do.
Partly about a game you haven't seen,
and you add, in patronising fashion:
If you think that was good good coaching you need to go to a level 1 coaching course Mike.
Again, with reference to a game you didn't see and I did.
You know, Gilby, some people just might consider that breathtakingly arrogant.
As for the Melbourne game, show me where I claimed it was innovative. Only that it was appropriate. Again, I'll ask you: do you remember the specific changes he made?
If you remember, for the half-hour after the sendoff Sydney were on top, with ten men.
Sorry Mike. My observations are based on what I've seen. Not seeing a pre-season game would inlikely be a defining factor in assessing the league failures to date of Sydney. You referred to 2 games of which I have seen 1. My comments are based on what I have observed so far. You conveniently leave out the other league game v Newcastle where we saw Butcher in all his glory. But please tell us all what astute changes Butcher made in a pre-season game and then lets work out why he hasn't carried on such brilliant coaching methods/tactics since the league started.
The game v Melbourne was IMO likely the best they've played this year, but there were no game changing tactics or plans by Butcher. There was simply a team playing above the standards they've shown in other games (except for sporadic periods).
Doing the basic is not good coaching, it's average coaching, it's expected. I can see no reason for anyone to exude support for Butcher because he did something any coach would have done - hence my reference to innovation - if it wasn't innovative then what makes it stand out from the average coach at your local under 16s game ?
You can defend the indefensible all you like. Butcher's performance in the league warrants his replacement. Butcher's treatment of players from the bench (and from all reports elsewhere as well, but let's just take the bench activity for present) is unacceptable conduct and just downright offensive. He brings the game into disrepute by his actions and conduct. His leadership has rubbed off to his team which lacks discipline (as it will do).
So we have a high profile coach/manager who has got poor results, has a team playing poorly and who's conduct not in keeping with FFA's ideal of getting spectators to games and setting an example to the youngsters. His offensive style is not dragging spectators to games. Why would anyone keep him on ? Perhaps financial consideration only - but then it looks like Sydney's decisions post 2005/06 season have al been financially based and not football based.
Call me arrogant all you want - the majority will simply call me right.
# posted by : October 2, 2006 at 12:00 PM
: October 2, 2006 at 12:00 PM
...Sorry Mike. My observations are based on what I've seen. Not seeing a pre-season game would unlikely be a defining factor in assessing the league failures to date of Sydney. You referred to 2 games of which I have seen 1. My comments are based on what I have observed so far....
Then don't make categorical comments on what you haven't seen.
...You conveniently leave out the other league game v Newcastle where we saw Butcher in all his glory....
Mainly because I've already criticised him for his tactics here.
...But please tell us all what astute changes Butcher made in a pre-season game and then lets work out why he hasn't carried on such brilliant coaching methods/tactics since the league started....
With pleasure.
Ceccoli was sent off at half-time.
Butcher moved Fyfe, who had done plenty of running in the first half, into the centre of defence and switched Topor-Stanley, who had done next to no running, to left-back. Milligan, another who had relatively fresh legs, he shifted to right-back. He then compressed the midfield, basically leaving the entire flanks to the guys with plenty of puff left in them, and allowed the remaining mids to block off Adelaide's main route of attack, which was through the middle. Good tactics, which stifled Adelaide effectively in the second half.
Happy now?
...You can defend the indefensible all you like. Butcher's performance in the league warrants his replacement. Butcher's treatment of players from the bench (and from all reports elsewhere as well, but let's just take the bench activity for present) is unacceptable conduct and just downright offensive. He brings the game into disrepute by his actions and conduct. His leadership has rubbed off to his team which lacks discipline (as it will do).
So we have a high profile coach/manager who has got poor results, has a team playing poorly and who's conduct not in keeping with FFA's ideal of getting spectators to games and setting an example to the youngsters. His offensive style is not dragging spectators to games. Why would anyone keep him on ? Perhaps financial consideration only - but then it looks like Sydney's decisions post 2005/06 season have al been financially based and not football based.
Call me arrogant all you want - the majority will simply call me right....
And after today's game, you feel...?
Gilby, I have gone to more length over this little debate than I intended to, but TBH you're acting at the moment like some of the newbie SFC fans who fail to see things in any colour other than black and white, and who make grand assumptions based on imperfect (to put it politely) information.
You also seem to be assuming that I'm defending Butcher to the hilt, when just a glance through the rest of the blog would disabuse you of that notion.
Then don't make categorical comments on what you haven't seen.
...You conveniently leave out the other league game v Newcastle where we saw Butcher in all his glory....
Mainly because I've already criticised him for his tactics here.
...But please tell us all what astute changes Butcher made in a pre-season game and then lets work out why he hasn't carried on such brilliant coaching methods/tactics since the league started....
With pleasure.
Ceccoli was sent off at half-time.
Butcher moved Fyfe, who had done plenty of running in the first half, into the centre of defence and switched Topor-Stanley, who had done next to no running, to left-back. Milligan, another who had relatively fresh legs, he shifted to right-back. He then compressed the midfield, basically leaving the entire flanks to the guys with plenty of puff left in them, and allowed the remaining mids to block off Adelaide's main route of attack, which was through the middle. Good tactics, which stifled Adelaide effectively in the second half.
Happy now?
...You can defend the indefensible all you like. Butcher's performance in the league warrants his replacement. Butcher's treatment of players from the bench (and from all reports elsewhere as well, but let's just take the bench activity for present) is unacceptable conduct and just downright offensive. He brings the game into disrepute by his actions and conduct. His leadership has rubbed off to his team which lacks discipline (as it will do).
So we have a high profile coach/manager who has got poor results, has a team playing poorly and who's conduct not in keeping with FFA's ideal of getting spectators to games and setting an example to the youngsters. His offensive style is not dragging spectators to games. Why would anyone keep him on ? Perhaps financial consideration only - but then it looks like Sydney's decisions post 2005/06 season have al been financially based and not football based.
Call me arrogant all you want - the majority will simply call me right....
And after today's game, you feel...?
Gilby, I have gone to more length over this little debate than I intended to, but TBH you're acting at the moment like some of the newbie SFC fans who fail to see things in any colour other than black and white, and who make grand assumptions based on imperfect (to put it politely) information.
You also seem to be assuming that I'm defending Butcher to the hilt, when just a glance through the rest of the blog would disabuse you of that notion.
There's no answer like results, and I have to eat my words about Adelaide flogging Butcher's squad.
I just wish I could have watched the game. Then I might be able to make some amateurish comments about the quality of football. All I have is the score.
Here is my rant about the difficulties of watching A-League. I will be updating it, as after some research I already know some of my assumptions about Fox's contract were wrong.
I've also read some of your other stuff about Butcher, Mike, as well as the comments, and think I have a better appreciation of the difficulties he faced, especially with regard to losing several players essentially from the same position. There's no question that my first impressions of Sydney were shocking, but I'll keep an open mind, and if he gets some good results as his team takes shape again, and they play some good looking football, I'll happilly eat my words.
I just wish I could have watched the game. Then I might be able to make some amateurish comments about the quality of football. All I have is the score.
Here is my rant about the difficulties of watching A-League. I will be updating it, as after some research I already know some of my assumptions about Fox's contract were wrong.
I've also read some of your other stuff about Butcher, Mike, as well as the comments, and think I have a better appreciation of the difficulties he faced, especially with regard to losing several players essentially from the same position. There's no question that my first impressions of Sydney were shocking, but I'll keep an open mind, and if he gets some good results as his team takes shape again, and they play some good looking football, I'll happilly eat my words.
"Butcher moved Fyfe, who had done plenty of running in the first half, into the centre of defence and switched Topor-Stanley .....
Happy now?"
Sure am. Now what's so marvellous about a simple re-shuffle like that? It was necessary and obviously you thought it the appropriate moves to make so now a coach doing what a layperson/spectator sees is brilliant coaching - it's predictable and simply in line with other reports I've heard. So I'm happy to go with "What nonsense, he did nothing more than any average coach would / could / should do." as it is accurate from your description. And to think he had the balls to do it in a training game - well lordy me.
If you think that was good good coaching you need to go to a level 1 coaching course Mike.
Well Mike, it's what they teach (the old level 2 to be accurate but I was employing poetic licence)- the principles.
"You also seem to be assuming that I'm defending Butcher to the hilt, when just a glance through the rest of the blog would disabuse you of that notion."
No I don't but, but your view is not balanced on this blog IMO.
"And after today's game, you feel...?"
No different. Sydney played really well. Notice it coincided with Carbone (given too much room by Adelaide), Bingley more match time, Topor-Stanley no match time. Also a "new" attitude on the bench, so markedly different even Cockerill commented on it. So the players were let to play, the abuse was stemmed, and a result came. So that supports my contention that Butcher's treatment of players was unacceptable. Now 1 sub. Zdrillic left on too long and no other changes. Can understand to some extent as the result was coming, but ..... match time and winning is a good motivator to those getting splinters on the bench, even a few minutes once the unbeatable lead was in place. So we still have Butcher afraid, unwilling or inept in making changes, mixing it up or trying things when the opportunity is there.
These things all just confirm my comments. But then if I was running Sydney Butcher would have been on the plane back to UK a week ago or more. This win doesn't change that opinion.
Happy now?"
Sure am. Now what's so marvellous about a simple re-shuffle like that? It was necessary and obviously you thought it the appropriate moves to make so now a coach doing what a layperson/spectator sees is brilliant coaching - it's predictable and simply in line with other reports I've heard. So I'm happy to go with "What nonsense, he did nothing more than any average coach would / could / should do." as it is accurate from your description. And to think he had the balls to do it in a training game - well lordy me.
If you think that was good good coaching you need to go to a level 1 coaching course Mike.
Well Mike, it's what they teach (the old level 2 to be accurate but I was employing poetic licence)- the principles.
"You also seem to be assuming that I'm defending Butcher to the hilt, when just a glance through the rest of the blog would disabuse you of that notion."
No I don't but, but your view is not balanced on this blog IMO.
"And after today's game, you feel...?"
No different. Sydney played really well. Notice it coincided with Carbone (given too much room by Adelaide), Bingley more match time, Topor-Stanley no match time. Also a "new" attitude on the bench, so markedly different even Cockerill commented on it. So the players were let to play, the abuse was stemmed, and a result came. So that supports my contention that Butcher's treatment of players was unacceptable. Now 1 sub. Zdrillic left on too long and no other changes. Can understand to some extent as the result was coming, but ..... match time and winning is a good motivator to those getting splinters on the bench, even a few minutes once the unbeatable lead was in place. So we still have Butcher afraid, unwilling or inept in making changes, mixing it up or trying things when the opportunity is there.
These things all just confirm my comments. But then if I was running Sydney Butcher would have been on the plane back to UK a week ago or more. This win doesn't change that opinion.
# posted by : October 3, 2006 at 12:40 PM
: October 3, 2006 at 12:40 PM
"Butcher moved Fyfe, who had done plenty of running in the first half, into the centre of defence and switched Topor-Stanley .....
Happy now?"
Sure am. Now what's so marvellous about a simple re-shuffle like that? It was necessary and obviously you thought it the appropriate moves to make so now a coach doing what a layperson/spectator sees is brilliant coaching - it's predictable and simply in line with other reports I've heard. So I'm happy to go with "What nonsense, he did nothing more than any average coach would / could / should do." as it is accurate from your description. And to think he had the balls to do it in a training game - well lordy me.
If you think that was good good coaching you need to go to a level 1 coaching course Mike.
Well Mike, it's what they teach (the old level 2 to be accurate but I was employing poetic licence)- the principles.
Gilby, you stubbornness is admirable, but pathetic.
Still laying down the law about a game you didn't see and I did, still prepared to fall back on hackneyed condescension when you've been presented with the facts.
On that particular day, on that particular occasion, he did a good job, as just about anyone there will confirm. Just get over it.
"You also seem to be assuming that I'm defending Butcher to the hilt, when just a glance through the rest of the blog would disabuse you of that notion."
No I don't
That's funny, I thought I was "defending the indefensible".
but, but your view is not balanced on this blog IMO.
Perfectly entitled to your opinion.
As for your comments on yesterday (which are at least specific), of course Carbone made a big difference, as did the fact that we were actually playing the ball along the carpet and trying to work it through midfield rather than bypassing it.
The lack of substitutions and the yelling from the bench I've already made disapproving comments about, here and elsewhere, but feel free to ignore that if it works for you.
Seriously, Gilby, let's drop it. I've acknowledged on TWG that at least you (unlike some others) were able to acknowledge it was a much improved performance, all that's really left is opinion, and if you're so dead-set against Butcher that the merest defence of him rankles with you, then there's no real use arguing for now. Let's just see how the season pans out.
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Happy now?"
Sure am. Now what's so marvellous about a simple re-shuffle like that? It was necessary and obviously you thought it the appropriate moves to make so now a coach doing what a layperson/spectator sees is brilliant coaching - it's predictable and simply in line with other reports I've heard. So I'm happy to go with "What nonsense, he did nothing more than any average coach would / could / should do." as it is accurate from your description. And to think he had the balls to do it in a training game - well lordy me.
If you think that was good good coaching you need to go to a level 1 coaching course Mike.
Well Mike, it's what they teach (the old level 2 to be accurate but I was employing poetic licence)- the principles.
Gilby, you stubbornness is admirable, but pathetic.
Still laying down the law about a game you didn't see and I did, still prepared to fall back on hackneyed condescension when you've been presented with the facts.
On that particular day, on that particular occasion, he did a good job, as just about anyone there will confirm. Just get over it.
"You also seem to be assuming that I'm defending Butcher to the hilt, when just a glance through the rest of the blog would disabuse you of that notion."
No I don't
That's funny, I thought I was "defending the indefensible".
but, but your view is not balanced on this blog IMO.
Perfectly entitled to your opinion.
As for your comments on yesterday (which are at least specific), of course Carbone made a big difference, as did the fact that we were actually playing the ball along the carpet and trying to work it through midfield rather than bypassing it.
The lack of substitutions and the yelling from the bench I've already made disapproving comments about, here and elsewhere, but feel free to ignore that if it works for you.
Seriously, Gilby, let's drop it. I've acknowledged on TWG that at least you (unlike some others) were able to acknowledge it was a much improved performance, all that's really left is opinion, and if you're so dead-set against Butcher that the merest defence of him rankles with you, then there's no real use arguing for now. Let's just see how the season pans out.
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