I think there are changes to be made and areas to improve for sure but I dont agree with drastic change. We need some tweaks.
Overall despite a few recent loses I think the club is overall in a fairly healthy state (ha that comment will be like a red rag to a bull) so I wouldnt be throwing out the baby with the bath water so to speak.
On a few of your points made over a number of threads;
COACHING
I've had concerns about Des and his ability to adapt since his late Bulldogs days. That said he has proven to me that he is still a quality coach albiet with some limitations so I agree, a younger, stronger voice as an assistant may help.
I say may as, from the outside we really dont see what Monaghan, Randall etc bring.
ROSTER
This is were I think we will disagree the most. Overall I think our roster is strong, its just about getting them playing as a cohesive unit. The tools are there...for the most part, we just need to use them effectively.
For mine hooker is our biggest issue, Croker is solid and a great defender but we need more in this area. Fainu is the silver bullet but his court case, shoulder and time out of the game make him a hail mary. Failing that I'd look at Verrils maybe though his injury history is like Toms. Palasia and Mariner from the Broncos would give us some more young talent in the centres and at prop.
I'd love a Grant, Cook, Welch etc but they aren't available or feasible atm.
I so think we should be scouring Matthews, Ball and Flegg for the best young hooker around.
SPEED
We certainly meed to increase our line and ruck speed. But our team is not some slow plodding squad. We were the excitement team last year, flashy and fast. Schuster for example doesnt need to be rapid if he can create breaks for Turbo, Koula, Saab, Garrick etc.
Also not all teams need to be clones, Parra have a very effective park with Paulo, RCG, Brown and Lane...those guys are hardly rapid.
BLACKTOWN
Hmm tough one.
Generally speaking I want Manly reserve grade back, that said I dont want our production line of young western Sydney talent to stop. Most of the young guns and possible future of the club have come that way. However is that even to do with Blacktown or just good scouting....not sure but I thibk the later.
So ditch Blacktown.
That said.....reserve results mean little, particularly with 21 man squads and players not dropping down to play, plus injuries etc.
Bulldogs are going great in Reserves but its not helping their firsts.
Anyway there are my random musings
Great post mate - we agree on most things, aren't too far apart on others, and disagree on very little. As you said, (and I agree Croker has done a marvelous fill in job) dummy half is where a lot of our play starts and finishes. We really need an upgrade.
I did list a squad that had only 2-3 players missing, and had our already contracted players named - so we'd only be looking for 2-3 (Hooker, Centre, forward). The rest you go for depth, but you improve the quality spread given the blokes I've let go have huge cap hits. Particularly an up-and-coming fullback depth. I believe Weekes is a five eight by the way. Look at that guy for The Sharks last week ! wowzers. The fill in fullback at The Dragons. Goes on - our replacement? A shift of a player from another position.
And there in lies our prob, too. Too many players playing out of position. Why? Lack of depth.
Garrick - winger playing fullback
Walker - centre playing forward (look how injured he always is)
Schuster - 5/8 playing backrow (not even lock)
Croker - half playing hooker
B Trbojevic - backrower playing centre
Lawton - Hooker playing backrow
THEN you have guys like Jake playing lock, who should be prop
Guys like Bullemor not being used where he excels
No wonder we look disorganised in defense and always chasing our tails (giving away penalties).
I'm honestly not sure what Des is trying to achieve with his positional play, team selections, structures and strategies - because they aren't working. If the players are as lost and confused as me, then no wonder we are a .400 team this season, and players are getting injured.
Anyways, sorry for the long posts mate.
