Thanks for the intro Mike. Hi everyone, I'm your new coach!

[Enrico_Misso]

"I'm really honoured to be your new coach.
I respect you guys for who you are and what you have achieved.
But I believe your greatest achievements are still ahead of you.

History shows that Grand Finals are more often won by the team with the best defence rather than the team with the best attack.
Look at the Geelong sides from 89-95. The most exciting fastest scoring side ever, but couldn't win a flag.

Your old gameplan was centred on that defensive principle.
You learnt how to stifle an opposition and dominate them for long periods of time and ultimately, mostly, grind out a win.
Even when you weren't playing well your gameplan allowed you to stay in touch.
You were hardly ever blown away.
You played high concentration disciplined football that was a credit to your coach and yourselves.

But the downside of that was despite those long periods of dominance in matches you never dominated on the scoreboard which left yourself open to being chased down should things go against you.
I think you became overly focused on defence and lost your offensive instincts.
Many times your first instinct on winning the ball at half back is to turn sideways or behind for support rather than look forward for options or decide to take on your opponent and create your own opportunity.
So by the time you got to move the ball into your 50 the spaces were full and you mostly were forced to kick to outnumbered key forwards leading wide into non-prime real-estate, or unrealistically rely on brilliant crumbers to weave through crowded conditions.
On top of that your press has been worked out, matched or improved upon by other teams and your defensive mindset has begun to be nullified and exploited by the rest of the competition.

You have some of the most talented players in the competition.
But this restrictive style inhibits their natural instincts.

I intend to significantly change that.

There will still be a place for the press when we don't have the ball.
There will still be a place for tempo football at key moments of the game to change momentum.

But when we win possession I want us to take risks and move the ball quickly into an open forward line.
Yes it won't always come off and our defence needs to concentrate and be ready for rebounds.
But when it does come off it plays to our advantage.
I want to see lots of space on the forward line with multiple options to goal.
We will typically have two key mobile marking forwards and two crumbers up there with everyone else moved down the ground.
If the opposition allow us one on one matchups then the forwards will lead in different directions, or one stay in the goal square, creating more leading space or at least one on one marking contests with space for crumbers to exploit the spillages.
If the opposition choose to put more numbers down there our forwards will stay close to goal creating space for long running shots inside 50 from our mids, or if the defenders play zones then that will create one on ones for the marking/leading forwards.
We have to think smarter.
We have to create more options, not just Plan A and B.
We have to be less predictable.

We have to be better at stoppages and clearances.
We have to anticipate rather than react.
We have to take measured chances and create our own luck.
We need more pace and enthusiasm and that will come from injecting more youth into the side.
But we also need our old guard to take on new roles and responsibilities.
We have to work extensively on our disposal efficiency and goalkicking.

Most of all we need a new mindset.
We need to show more flair and risk taking subject to certain constraints.
We need to get back to footy that is fun to play and exciting to watch.
Where dominance in the contests leads to dominance on the scoreboard.

I come with an open mind.
I will be elaborating on my strategies and meeting with you all individually.
If you are prepared to embrace this vision then I will support you to the hilt.

That is what I am about.
I hope you will join me on this exciting journey.

Back to you Mike".

[Austinnn]

The above was a recording of Matthew Knights' first meeting with the players of the St Kilda Football Club.

[OneEyedSainter77]

"I'm really honoured to be your new coach.
I respect you guys for who you are and what you have achieved.
But I believe your greatest achievements are still ahead of you.

History shows that Grand Finals are more often won by the team with the best defence rather than the team with the best attack.
Look at the Geelong sides from 89-95. The most exciting fastest scoring side ever, but couldn't win a flag.

Your old gameplan was centred on that defensive principle.
You learnt how to stifle an opposition and dominate them for long periods of time and ultimately, mostly, grind out a win.
Even when you weren't playing well your gameplan allowed you to stay in touch.
You were hardly ever blown away.
You played high concentration disciplined football that was a credit to your coach and yourselves.

But the downside of that was despite those long periods of dominance in matches you never dominated on the scoreboard which left yourself open to being chased down should things go against you.
I think you became overly focused on defence and lost your offensive instincts.
Many times your first instinct on winning the ball at half back is to turn sideways or behind for support rather than look forward for options or decide to take on your opponent and create your own opportunity.
So by the time you got to move the ball into your 50 the spaces were full and you mostly were forced to kick to outnumbered key forwards leading wide into non-prime real-estate, or unrealistically rely on brilliant crumbers to weave through crowded conditions.
On top of that your press has been worked out, matched or improved upon by other teams and your defensive mindset has begun to be nullified and exploited by the rest of the competition.

You have some of the most talented players in the competition.
But this restrictive style inhibits their natural instincts.

I intend to significantly change that.

There will still be a place for the press when we don't have the ball.
There will still be a place for tempo football at key moments of the game to change momentum.

But when we win possession I want us to take risks and move the ball quickly into an open forward line.
Yes it won't always come off and our defence needs to concentrate and be ready for rebounds.
But when it does come off it plays to our advantage.
I want to see lots of space on the forward line with multiple options to goal.
We will typically have two key mobile marking forwards and two crumbers up there with everyone else moved down the ground.
If the opposition allow us one on one matchups then the forwards will lead in different directions, or one stay in the goal square, creating more leading space or at least one on one marking contests with space for crumbers to exploit the spillages.
If the opposition choose to put more numbers down there our forwards will stay close to goal creating space for long running shots inside 50 from our mids, or if the defenders play zones then that will create one on ones for the marking/leading forwards.
We have to think smarter.
We have to create more options, not just Plan A and B.
We have to be less predictable.

We have to be better at stoppages and clearances.
We have to anticipate rather than react.
We have to take measured chances and create our own luck.
We need more pace and enthusiasm and that will come from injecting more youth into the side.
But we also need our old guard to take on new roles and responsibilities.
We have to work extensively on our disposal efficiency and goalkicking.

Most of all we need a new mindset.
We need to show more flair and risk taking subject to certain constraints.
We need to get back to footy that is fun to play and exciting to watch.
Where dominance in the contests leads to dominance on the scoreboard.

I come with an open mind.
I will be elaborating on my strategies and meeting with you all individually.
If you are prepared to embrace this vision then I will support you to the hilt.

That is what I am about.
I hope you will join me on this exciting journey.

Back to you Mike".

Stirring stuff!

One thing though, Mike?!! Really?! Surely the new coach wouldn't have the temerity to refer to the new CEO with a shorthand nickname?!

[WinnersOnly]

Absolutely brilliant Enrico...you have encompassed all of our strengths and highlighted why we lost 2 x GF's under LYON.

Brilliant stuff mate - DO YOU WANT THE JOB - IT's YOURS

[degruch]

The above was a recording of Matthew Knights' first meeting with the players of the St Kilda Football Club.

** shudder ** Don't go there...just, don't.

[Moorabbin Man]

Is Enrico Misso actually GT???

[SaintPav]

"I'm really honoured to be your new coach.
I respect you guys for who you are and what you have achieved.
But I believe your greatest achievements are still ahead of you.

History shows that Grand Finals are more often won by the team with the best defence rather than the team with the best attack.
Look at the Geelong sides from 89-95. The most exciting fastest scoring side ever, but couldn't win a flag.

Your old gameplan was centred on that defensive principle.
You learnt how to stifle an opposition and dominate them for long periods of time and ultimately, mostly, grind out a win.
Even when you weren't playing well your gameplan allowed you to stay in touch.
You were hardly ever blown away.
You played high concentration disciplined football that was a credit to your coach and yourselves.

But the downside of that was despite those long periods of dominance in matches you never dominated on the scoreboard which left yourself open to being chased down should things go against you.
I think you became overly focused on defence and lost your offensive instincts.
Many times your first instinct on winning the ball at half back is to turn sideways or behind for support rather than look forward for options or decide to take on your opponent and create your own opportunity.
So by the time you got to move the ball into your 50 the spaces were full and you mostly were forced to kick to outnumbered key forwards leading wide into non-prime real-estate, or unrealistically rely on brilliant crumbers to weave through crowded conditions.
On top of that your press has been worked out, matched or improved upon by other teams and your defensive mindset has begun to be nullified and exploited by the rest of the competition.

You have some of the most talented players in the competition.
But this restrictive style inhibits their natural instincts.

I intend to significantly change that.

There will still be a place for the press when we don't have the ball.
There will still be a place for tempo football at key moments of the game to change momentum.

But when we win possession I want us to take risks and move the ball quickly into an open forward line.
Yes it won't always come off and our defence needs to concentrate and be ready for rebounds.
But when it does come off it plays to our advantage.
I want to see lots of space on the forward line with multiple options to goal.
We will typically have two key mobile marking forwards and two crumbers up there with everyone else moved down the ground.
If the opposition allow us one on one matchups then the forwards will lead in different directions, or one stay in the goal square, creating more leading space or at least one on one marking contests with space for crumbers to exploit the spillages.
If the opposition choose to put more numbers down there our forwards will stay close to goal creating space for long running shots inside 50 from our mids, or if the defenders play zones then that will create one on ones for the marking/leading forwards.
We have to think smarter.
We have to create more options, not just Plan A and B.
We have to be less predictable.

We have to be better at stoppages and clearances.
We have to anticipate rather than react.
We have to take measured chances and create our own luck.
We need more pace and enthusiasm and that will come from injecting more youth into the side.
But we also need our old guard to take on new roles and responsibilities.
We have to work extensively on our disposal efficiency and goalkicking.

Most of all we need a new mindset.
We need to show more flair and risk taking subject to certain constraints.
We need to get back to footy that is fun to play and exciting to watch.
Where dominance in the contests leads to dominance on the scoreboard.

I come with an open mind.
I will be elaborating on my strategies and meeting with you all individually.
If you are prepared to embrace this vision then I will support you to the hilt.

That is what I am about.
I hope you will join me on this exciting journey.

Back to you Mike".

Our new coach sounds like a tool and I think he will lose everyone when he says: "Thanks for the intro Mike. Hi everyone, I'm your new coach!"

[Bowey Boy]

Still waiting for the Barry Manilow announcement !!

[Scollop]

Gees...I dunno...you sound a bit like Ross

I'll be excited when 'Kevin' Sheehan does a spot on 'TAC Cup Future Stars' and says; "the Saints have picked up a couple of kids that can really play footy!!!!!"

The new coach needs to be able to either spot talent or have a team behind him that can recruit talented footballers and smart kids. That's what Pelchen is there to do isn't he?

[Jacks Back]

C'MON SAINTS!!!

[Johnny Member]

History shows that Grand Finals are more often won by the team with the best defence rather than the team with the best attack.

Not really.

I think the past 10 Premiers have been top 4 in 'Least Points Against, and top 4 in 'Most Points For'.

I think only 1 of them was no. 1 in 'Least Points Against', and that was Steven Bradbury..oops, I meant Sydney.

[Enrico_Misso]

Opening preso (or the bit SEN played) sounded promising.
Flagged a shift in gameplan.

Now looking forward to 2012.