saintsRrising wrote:Re the list.
If we could inject two elite mids that were good ball users you would see the whole team lift c and the team really start to hum.
We, like all teams, need the following IMO:
- Elite ball use
- Line breaking speed
- Possession accumulators
- Elite decision making
All good teams have these skill sets either in the midfield, or in the backline. Some have both - but generally it's one or the other.
If we do recruit midfielders, so be it. As long as they're ticking one or more of the above boxes. But I'd be equally happy if we were to target a Johannison type player who ticks at least one of the boxes above.
The line breaking 'running back' is a position which I think we've neglected. Roberton's form has shown us how critical that role is, and unfortunately now that he's being targeted/tagged by the opposition, we've been impotent in that space.
Bringing in Savage proved to me that we don't take it seriously enough. He's not good enough at at. I'd rather a young guy get smacked in that role whilst he's learning, than see Savage get smacked in it.
We don't generate run from anywhere really, unless Roberton brings it out of defence. Since the GWS game, since everyone saw how important he is to setting up our offence, he's been negated to a large degree. As a result, it's no coincidence that we can't score. Webster being out hasn't helped - but I still think Saints fans incredibly overrate him and in particular his kicking.
I heard Sam McClure disputing the rumour that Essendon are targeting Martin. He said that they have their eye on a few others ahead of him. When pressed on who they were, he said "Pittard from Port, and Johannison - because they know they need speed and run from defence".
This is also why Buckley played Pendlebury in defence. Because of his elite ball use and decision making. Same as why HArdwick played Martin back there. Same as why Rhys Shaw was paid a shitload of money by GWS, and also why Geelong were so desperate to get Tuohy when Enright retired. It's such a critical role.
You can get away with a slow midfield, if you generate your offence from defence. Your midfield can become more of a link up role, which doesn't require elite speed. But if you don't have that speed and coming out of defence, then you have to generate from the midfield.
We don't do either, which is what kills us.
and despise the Pies, the Blues, and the Injectors.
