KNIGHTS HAS TO GO!!

[HillHero13]

Who agrees?!

his gameplan is not working

1 win and 4 losses

yes we made the finals last year but we had an almost full side against collingwood and still lost by 60 odd points...

Knights keeps persisting with the game plan but it's time for a new game plan or a new coach...

He always has the excuse we are playing young kids more than experienced players we need more experience in the side...

i hate to say it but Knights has to go or get a new game plan..

if we play against hawthorn like we did against collingwood there will be pressure and he will need a sacking...

no one has said the support he has got like players and board that h needs..

Essendon need someone to coach them that are from essendon ie Hird Lloyd one of them but he has to go

[valkorum]

Why does everyone always blame the coach when teams aren't winning.  It always feels like it is easier to blame one person than the 22 who suit up and play each week.

Lets be honest - Essendon dont have the cattle and Knights has to try and make a game plan work with a team that is not up to scratch (trust me on this, I am a Freo supporter and have felt the pain first hand for 15 years)

B: Heath Hocking, Dustin Fletcher, Ricky Dyson
HB: Jarrod Atkinson, Cale Hooker, Henry Slattery
C: Mark McVeigh, Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton
HF: Angus Monfries, Scott Gumbleton, Brent Prismall
F: Alwyn Davey, Michael Hurley, Sam Lonergan
Foll: Patrick Ryder, Andrew Welsh, Jason Winderlich
Int: Courtenay Dempsey, Nathan Lovett-Murray, David Zaharakis, David Hille
Emg: Kyle Hardingham, Ben Howlett, Tyson Slattery


The only players in that squad that I would want to have would be:

Fletcher - but how much longer can he play for
Watson - great player and perfect choice for captain
Monfries - applies great pressure up forward and kicks goals.  One of the few players that actually plays both ways (offense and defensive)

[Fletch74]

I agree Valk, I think you're being a bit harsh HH. Knights has inherited most of this list.

You have to give him some chance. Last year we made the finals, this year we have shown some promise in games but have not been able to hold it together for 4 quarters. We also have avery tough draw this year!! Bloody AFL.

This year may be the year similar to 2006 for Geelong.

We have very little match experience in a lot of our players. I think its good that we go through a bit of a downer in order to improve. I honestly believe that by the time 2012 comes around we will have a top quality side.

They will get better. Have a little faith as HP would say!

[Justin Bieber]

They will get better. Have a little faith as HP would say!

And we Essendon supporters should. We no longer have a stunning list that we used to. We have to recruit well and do what we can with what we've got.

I like Hocking, Hooker, Pears, Hille, Ryder, Dyson (personal fav) and Winderlich. All are fairly young (bar Hille) and have more to give. Dyson is one that not many people like but he has a good running game and long kick. Needs to work on the rest of his skills though. Hocking a decent tagger and applies some pressure around the grounds with his tackling.

Backline looks to be a strong point in future essendon sides if the guys can keep on growing and maturing. Pears and Hooker could be a great FB and CHB tandem. Both fairly big boys and can kick great. If Ryder can move back there and we have Lovett-Murray and Dempsey running out of there, Think it would be a great mix and would love to see them all in full flight when they hit their prime.

[SCADDICT]

Knight is an absolute idiot. Playing Neagle ahead of Lloyd absolutely disgusted me, if Lloyd was still at FF and playing we would not be in this situation, know thats a big call but look at the difference Barry Hall and Bradshaw are making.

[SCADDICT]

Helloplz, I like Ryder as a ruck better then Hille. We need Hille down forward, he can actually kick goals.

[Justin Bieber]

Helloplz, I like Ryder as a ruck better then Hille. We need Hille down forward, he can actually kick goals.

In that forward line definately. If we still had Lloyd or Lucas, then i would rather have Ryder down back. Hate to see our forwards struggling. Like monfies but he isn't a tall option. Its either Hille or Neagle and Neagle is kind of a guy who just stays inside the forward 50 the entire game. We need a mobile tall. Reckon we should recruit one this year or try and mould Carlisle to be a decent forward target in the VFL. If it works out, the better for us for next year.

[HillHero13]

i'm not talking about the team... the team is good...

it's the game plan..

against collingwood around the half-back line and ful backline we were handballing and handballing until we turned it over...


thats what im talking about...

[valkorum]

Knight is an absolute idiot. Playing Neagle ahead of Lloyd absolutely disgusted me, if Lloyd was still at FF and playing we would not be in this situation, know thats a big call but look at the difference Barry Hall and Bradshaw are making.

Llyod was obviously going to retire when he did (or maybe a year later - at the time most people werent sure).  I dont see an issue with playing a youngster there when he is going to be the person who takes over from Lloyd when he left.

The difference between Hall/Bradshaw is that they are playing in teams with midfields that can deliver the ball to them.  Essendon dont have that, so having a target (like Lloyd) there wont make a difference.  The forwards rely on delivery from the midfield, always have... always will.

i'm not talking about the team... the team is good...

it's the game plan..

against collingwood around the half-back line and ful backline we were handballing and handballing until we turned it over...


thats what im talking about...

Every team handballs like crazy, just some teams have the skill level to achieve it and other teams dont.  Essendon is currently one of the teams that cant do it.  Geelong/Saints etc use the handball beautifully in the back half and the handball to get that extra bit of space so you can kick over the zone is very important these days. 

[bunyip]

I understand your frustration Hilly. There were constant calls to sack Bomber early on when the Cats were struggling. Clever recruiting and sticking to your game plan I think will get you there (the GF) eventually

[Pav29]

It;s Not Knights fault. Youse have a young team and many injuries have just caused a bad start to the year.

[HillHero13]

before last week we have had no injury problems at all that's why am am pissed aswell and if we stick to this game plan we will not win another game for the season

[Fletch74]

I agree HH the game plan of handballing at all costs was apalling, causing so many turnovers... One can only hope that their skill level improves as well which will help.

There will be some improvement this week. I'm going, so they better improve.

[ELLsendon]

I agree HH the game plan of handballing at all costs was apalling, causing so many turnovers... One can only hope that their skill level improves as well which will help.

There will be some improvement this week. I'm going, so they better improve.

Went last week, not going again until we string a few together

[Fletch74]

Last night was excellent. The amount of pressure was great. I think it was something like 106 or so tackles... These guys are young and inexperienced (most ayway) and therefore leads to up and down games like against the Pies.

There is a lot of promse in these kids, give them time.