The elephant in the Room...

[Paw93]

D C E should have enough smarts by now to set up an attacking play or give some direction to avoid being in that position . When he was more switched on in the Broncos game for instance and the side was playing with some real purpose , Manly 's field position and kicking game did not seem to be issue . Let"s see how Fainu goes if he is given that opportunity and at least with Walker actually taking on the defence as is his tendency , this should take some pressure off D C E if this has contributed something to his form loss .

Spot on there Al. DCE's game this year has been to direct general play. When Hodko came in, both of them were effectively doing the same thing and no one aside from Tom was providing the strike power that we've missed in the last few games. With Walker back in, DCE can go back to directing the side and allow Tom and Walkz to chime in. The last crucial bit for me is Fainu. If he brings his natural game into it then he adds another dimension to the attack. Without him, it's up to DCE to direct and Walkz & Tom to attack.

 

[Simonmyers11]

Spot on there Al. DCE's game this year has been to direct general play. When Hodko came in, both of them were effectively doing the same thing and no one aside from Tom was providing the strike power that we've missed in the last few games. With Walker back in, DCE can go back to directing the side and allow Tom and Walkz to chime in. The last crucial bit for me is Fainu. If he brings his natural game into it then he adds another dimension to the attack. Without him, it's up to DCE to direct and Walkz & Tom to attack.

Good Points. Its not Chez's natural instincts to do a lot of the general play, he likes to create something every time he touches the ball - which gets him unstuck when the forwards are not going forward and he has no one running onto the ball, or the defense gets up in his face. That's why you see him caught out on a few occasions trying to run or pass and nothing is happening? Better to just turn it back to a forward or better still, have an organizing half on his inside and let Chez run the attacking plays on the 4th and 5th in a better position. Can see how good it worked last year.

 

[Paw93]

Good Points. Its not Chez's natural instincts to do a lot of the general play, he likes to create something every time he touches the ball - which gets him unstuck when the forwards are not going forward and he has no one running onto the ball, or the defense gets up in his face. That's why you see him caught out on a few occasions trying to run or pass and nothing is happening? Better to just turn it back to a forward or better still, have an organizing half on his inside and let Chez run the attacking plays on the 4th and 5th in a better position. Can see how good it worked last year.

Last year worked really well because Baz had Chez trust his natural instincts from the start of the season. If we had Hodko from the pre-season then I doubt that we'd be in the same position we are in now. As good as any half might be, if you replace the 5/8 with someone with a completely different game to whoever played there a week ago and then ask him to change his game against everything he practiced in the off-season then of course it'll end in disaster.

Chez isn't the best organiser but that's what he's been asked to do this season. It worked against Melbourne and Brisbane when Walker played in the halves so let's give them another chance this week. It didn't work with Croker because he just didn't have the natural instincts or pace that Walker has when running at the defence. Last week, both Hodko and DCE tried running the side and that's why it failed. Give them a pre-season to get back to what worked last year and both of them will be a lot better for it.

 

[Woodsie]

In 2016 when we were being flogged ...... everybody was rapt we retained and secured those players ... at those prices ...

In 2017 when we made the finals ... almost the top 4 ..... everybody was rapt with our roster .... nobody was overpaid .... just missing 1/2 players we chanted ...

In 2018 when we are in annus-horribus ..... Baz and Bozo have destroyed the club and Silvertails are experts ...... everybody is overpaid and we will never sign another good player .......

GET A GRIP AND WAKE UP PUNCHIES!

 

[Jigzkiller]

Bob the builder should be taking a lot of the blame but the coward left after trashing the club breaking the cap and setting us back years. Bozo thought he was still in the 80's with no cap obviously and when **** hit the fan the builder hit the road. He was involved in knifing a legend of the club in Toovey to employ a myth in Barrett. Champion player good coach a ****ing terrible builder.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

In 2016 when we were being flogged ...... everybody was rapt we retained and secured those players ... at those prices ...

In 2017 when we made the finals ... almost the top 4 ..... everybody was rapt with our roster .... nobody was overpaid .... just missing 1/2 players we chanted ...

In 2018 when we are in annus-horribus ..... Baz and Bozo have destroyed the club and Silvertails are experts ...... everybody is overpaid and we will never sign another good player .......

GET A GRIP AND WAKE UP PUNCHIES!

I don't understand this post Woodsie.

2016 was a very poor year for Manly. I went to the game at Brookie in Round 1 against the Dogs and we got flogged 28 zip and things didn't get much better as the year progressed. We played 24 games for 8 wins, 2 byes and 16 losses finishing 13th. I describe that as annus-horribu.

2017 was an improvement we played 24 games for 14 wins, 2 byes and 10 losses finishing 6th. Whilst it was a relief to make the 8 we bombed out getting beat by Penrith in first semi. This a definitely an improvement on a dismissal 2016 season but I was not rapt and I was unhappy with our poor defence at times, absence and Barrett's selections. Optimism did arise and we were entitled to hope for more improvement ion 2018 and many on this site including me wanted Barrett given a shot in 2017 as the T Brothers wanted him there. But I ever wanted his contract extended beyond this year, the club should have called his bluff and let him go to the Titans if that was on the cards.

2018 has been a disaster to say the least. We are 4 wins, 11 losses and on 8 competition points as at the end of 15 rounds and after a favorable draw for the early part of the season. Remaining rounds are Panthers, Bye, Storm, Roosters, Panthers, Sharks, Bulldogs, Titans, Tigers, Broncos. In my opinion and based on our form so far this year we will be doing well to win 3 of those games. So I agree that this season like 2016 is annus-horribu. What am I suppose to see when I get a grip and wake up? Please enlighten me I need cheering up.

 

[Budgie]

GET A GRIP AND WAKE UP PUNCHIES!

What's a punchy?

 

[Kevinward777]

The issue with Walker continuing as a 5 / 8 is again who is out there available to be acquired for next season or so and as a suitable 5/ 8 proposition but agree that at this stage it would be more recommended to see how Tom Wright goes as a 5 / 8 and to be able to gain some experience and game management , even if it includes interchanging with Walker when appropriate . Really do not think that a lack of a supposedly effective alternative kicker is contributing to D C E 's loss of form this year , his whole playing mind set and application has been seriously out of whack this season and he on all normal expectation should be capable of largely rectifying it .

Well we have Hodkinson under lock and key for next season (thanks Flanno).

 

[Kevinward777]

Last year worked really well because Baz had Chez trust his natural instincts from the start of the season. If we had Hodko from the pre-season then I doubt that we'd be in the same position we are in now. As good as any half might be, if you replace the 5/8 with someone with a completely different game to whoever played there a week ago and then ask him to change his game against everything he practiced in the off-season then of course it'll end in disaster.

Chez isn't the best organiser but that's what he's been asked to do this season. It worked against Melbourne and Brisbane when Walker played in the halves so let's give them another chance this week. It didn't work with Croker because he just didn't have the natural instincts or pace that Walker has when running at the defence. Last week, both Hodko and DCE tried running the side and that's why it failed. Give them a pre-season to get back to what worked last year and both of them will be a lot better for it.

Hodko is way past it, he can’t run because of his knees, and the people who were screaming to get him signed up need to bite the bullet and admit they got it wrong.

 

[globaleagle]

In 2018 when we are in annus-horribus ..... Baz and Bozo have destroyed the club and Silvertails are experts ...... everybody is overpaid and we will never sign another good player .......

GET A GRIP AND WAKE UP PUNCHIES!

Annus horribilis



sheesh

 

[Woodsie]

What's a punchy?

..... spelt with an "ie" ....

Recently at some award ceremony, Robert DeNero, a congenital Trump critic walked on stage to present an award and without preamble said .." fucck Trump, it's no longer down with Trump, it's just Fucck Trump"

Trump replied in a tweet ..... the economy is the best it's been for decades, employment has never been higher, and companies are coming back to America .... wake up Punchie .....

The later a reference to his boxing role in the raging bull.

It is now my favourite affectionate go-to phrase, along with the always playful numb-nut ....

 

[Woodsie]

Annus horribilis



sheesh

Guilty ..... just made it up .... I confess that when it comes to annus's my knowledge is limited .... and I will defer to your greater ... and may I say it .... in depth experience ......

 

[globaleagle]

Guilty ..... just made it up .... I confess that when it comes to annus's my knowledge is limited .... and I will defer to your greater ... and may I say it .... in depth experience ......

You may not say it.

If it's good enough for your Queen, Elizabeth the Second, to say it correctly, then it's good enough for you.

 

[Woodsie]

I don't understand this post Woodsie.

2016 was a very poor year for Manly. I went to the game at Brookie in Round 1 against the Dogs and we got flogged 28 zip and things didn't get much better as the year progressed. We played 24 games for 8 wins, 2 byes and 16 losses finishing 13th. I describe that as annus-horribu.

2017 was an improvement we played 24 games for 14 wins, 2 byes and 10 losses finishing 6th. Whilst it was a relief to make the 8 we bombed out getting beat by Penrith in first semi. This a definitely an improvement on a dismissal 2016 season but I was not rapt and I was unhappy with our poor defence at times, absence and Barrett's selections. Optimism did arise and we were entitled to hope for more improvement ion 2018 and many on this site including me wanted Barrett given a shot in 2017 as the T Brothers wanted him there. But I ever wanted his contract extended beyond this year, the club should have called his bluff and let him go to the Titans if that was on the cards.

2018 has been a disaster to say the least. We are 4 wins, 11 losses and on 8 competition points as at the end of 15 rounds and after a favorable draw for the early part of the season. Remaining rounds are Panthers, Bye, Storm, Roosters, Panthers, Sharks, Bulldogs, Titans, Tigers, Broncos. In my opinion and based on our form so far this year we will be doing well to win 3 of those games. So I agree that this season like 2016 is annus-horribu. What am I suppose to see when I get a grip and wake up? Please enlighten me I need cheering up.

The point punchie ..... is that these "overpaid" players were being paid the same amounts in 2017 .... with the same little amount avail to the others ... and we also still had over $1mil in Snake and Matai on the books .....

IT was not an issue then ..... so what has changed in 2018 ......by what twisted logic has it suddenly become the sole reason for our problems ......

 

[Nice Beaver]

The point punchie ..... is that these "overpaid" players were being paid the same amounts in 2017 .... with the same little amount avail to the others ... and we also still had over $1mil in Snake and Matai on the books .....

IT was not an issue then ..... so what has changed in 2018 ......by what twisted logic has it suddenly become the sole reason for our problems ......

I think its aclled tunnel vision, mate.

I love the passion of most on here. But sometimes the end of the world stuff is just way over the top.

Each to their own I guess. But I am keeping out of most threads now because of it.

When Manly supporters are tearing into each other, its not worth it.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

The point punchie ..... is that these "overpaid" players were being paid the same amounts in 2017 .... with the same little amount avail to the others ... and we also still had over $1mil in Snake and Matai on the books .....

IT was not an issue then ..... so what has changed in 2018 ......by what twisted logic has it suddenly become the sole reason for our problems ......

Okay got yah!

 

[Paw93]

Hodko is way past it, he can’t run because of his knees, and the people who were screaming to get him signed up need to bite the bullet and admit they got it wrong.

Yes, his knees are shot but it doesn't mean he can't look after general play like choosing when to pass and when to kick. The guy was the last origin winning halfback until last Sunday. A pre-season with the team can make all the difference for any half. He's come straight into a spine that's been changing every week with Tommy off on origin and Api being suspended and now out for the season.

 

[Moops]

3 million dollars spent on three players that cannot deliver wins.

We often blame DCE for the enormity of his individual contract, but the reality is, we have screwed up monumentally on 3 players, not just 1.

Some posters have eluded to the Turbos being overpaid, not because they don't put in of course, but because they are either too green or not in themselves good enough to win games on their own.
(TT might one day, Jake will never be in that position as a lock/FRF.)

So bagging out DCE is a now a Silvertails and national RL sport, but the reality is DCE is no more than an overpaid Munster and needs the help of a Smith a Slater and a Cronk. The game changed thanks to those guys.

Our next 2 highest paid players are a prop and a centre.
There goes another 1.25 m of cap. (Marty 600, Dylan 650) and neither are spine.

4.25 mil out the door for 5 players. So 5m for 25 remaining players @ 200k each.
4.25 mil on 1 proven spine player, 1 green spine player with talent, and the rest on positions that matter, but can't in themselves win a premiership (or a regular match on their own).

I have no doubt we paid overs for Jake and Tom (sadly and I don't know why). Maybe Penn/ BOZO the clown was so scared they would leave, and us fans would revolt, that they paid a potential market+ rate.

We paid overs for DCE definitely, and that sits on Penn and BOZO the administrator Clown together (1.3m paid v 800K withdrawn). But we are on the cusp of paying overs for Dylan (650K for what he has delivered is not acceptable). However, on the plus side (1 of 5) @600 -650 for Marty is at least evens (especially with Woods new contract).

So, the Elephant in the room is not just DCE. It is DCE + the turbos, plus the encroaching irrelevants.
And it will not end until we miraculously create a spine ala 2010/1, or sadly remove people.

Twenty Bwarret maybe a **** coach, with **** game plans, but he has a **** side; all things considered.

Tom's development has stalled over the last 12 months or so. His salary was based on potential more than anything else. We could get Ponga for Tom's money. He looks out of his depth in State of Origin as well. In origin he was basically just taking hit-ups.

 

[Moops]

In 2016 when we were being flogged ...... everybody was rapt we retained and secured those players ... at those prices ...

In 2017 when we made the finals ... almost the top 4 ..... everybody was rapt with our roster .... nobody was overpaid .... just missing 1/2 players we chanted ...

In 2018 when we are in annus-horribus ..... Baz and Bozo have destroyed the club and Silvertails are experts ...... everybody is overpaid and we will never sign another good player .......

GET A GRIP AND WAKE UP PUNCHIES!

It is good to see you are speaking for everybody...

 

[Wombat64]

I am still out on Barrett, last year he made the 8 with the million $ handicap of Stewart and Matai, this year he has almost the same handicap of Myles and salary cap. None of which he was part of organizing.

I also wonder about the quality of those around him - is he getting who and what he needs in his staff or is that being dictated to him as well.

Mate, he's been given a fair chance. The owners have him a chance and most of us gave him chance, we all had high hopes. However, after 3 years of the same terrible off field and on field crap that we've been dished up it's clear he's a ****en dud and so is his coaching staff. Someone needs to get it in the arse and they (the they includes that idiot Cartwright) need to go. Our club is a disaster and until the TB experiment is over we can't start a rebuild.