Lady Reds

[The General]

Thought I would start another topic, try to be positive.
The next two weeks they have a great opportunity to turn things around, what are they going to do different.
Everyone knows the definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing and expect different results.

Obviously the girls and coach are hurting, if anyone who is in the know can let us know how this weeks mood and preparation has been like ?

If they get a draw against a much improved WS team this week, and a win at home against NJ the following week ?

Or is Mr Kerrigan ( The Castle ) going to say ............" tell him he's dreaming."

[scipio africanus]

Fair appraisal ...

if there is anything left in this season, next two games are critical, especially Newcastle at home.

A loss against Newcastle will pretty much ensure another wooden spoon.

We caught Wanderers unprepared in the first round. The club didn't exist 3 months prior to that game, but now they have had a few games under their belt, their quality is coming through. They had us 3-1 down, but an amazing hat trick from McLaughlin saved the day.

Can't judge the mood in camp this week, but the girls looked pretty depressed straight after the game on Saturday.

Good luck to the lady reds ........ a draw away from home would be a very good result.

[billy the kid]

Ditto all the above however, attention needs to be drawn as to what is done at season's end so that this debacle does not continue as it has over the last 3-4 years.

A review needs to occur and a plan in place as to how the powers to be need to structure the Lady Reds in a manner that will see them succeed from next season onwards.

The review needs to be done and a direction set otherwise I fear that this season could be our last.

Adelaide’s demise does nothing for the W-League and basically only serves to weaken it. SA has an obligation to the whole W League. Where our team is, is NOT a reflection of where we should be.

Some ideas to throw about as to how things could be set up to ensure success:

• Are we (the FFSA) serious about the Lady Reds and the W-League as a pathway to Australian representation.
• What is our commitment and what will we do? (if they treat it as nothing more than a end of season comp then our involvement is doomed).
• Identify players in the 20-25 age bracket that were once part of SASI or Sensations. Capable players are what we need. They were in SASI for a reason. Competent players who know what level of commitment and ability is required.
• Set a squad early on in the piece. This will be the core of the season 2013-2014 team.
• Set a program of training/conditioning that is up there with the best. An all year round program.
• Provide access to what an elite national league squad requires.
• The team needs to play in the local prems league all season. Maybe trial games against boys leading up to the W-League season. Many boys clubs are trialling in October/November. Perfect timing.
• The Reds needs to be seen as a year round commitment by everyone. If we treat it as a once a years thing with minimal preparation then we need to re-assess if SA wants to be in the W-League.

This is just a sample of what needs to be considered. I think the W-League demands this level of commitment from all clubs. We obviously fall way below what I propose. Time to look forward not back. SA needs to regain respectability and credibility out there.

Players need to want to play for the Reds. Coaches need the support and the structure around them so they can make it work.

[The General]

Ditto all the above however, attention needs to be drawn as to what is done at season's end so that this debacle does not continue as it has over the last 3-4 years.

A review needs to occur and a plan in place as to how the powers to be need to structure the Lady Reds in a manner that will see them succeed from next season onwards.

The review needs to be done and a direction set otherwise I fear that this season could be our last.

Adelaide’s demise does nothing for the W-League and basically only serves to weaken it. SA has an obligation to the whole W League. Where our team is, is NOT a reflection of where we should be.

Some ideas to throw about as to how things could be set up to ensure success:

• Are we (the FFSA) serious about the Lady Reds and the W-League as a pathway to Australian representation.
• What is our commitment and what will we do? (if they treat it as nothing more than a end of season comp then our involvement is doomed).
• Identify players in the 20-25 age bracket that were once part of SASI or Sensations. Capable players are what we need. They were in SASI for a reason. Competent players who know what level of commitment and ability is required.
• Set a squad early on in the piece. This will be the core of the season 2013-2014 team.
• Set a program of training/conditioning that is up there with the best. An all year round program.
• Provide access to what an elite national league squad requires.
• The team needs to play in the local prems league all season. Maybe trial games against boys leading up to the W-League season. Many boys clubs are trialling in October/November. Perfect timing.
• The Reds needs to be seen as a year round commitment by everyone. If we treat it as a once a years thing with minimal preparation then we need to re-assess if SA wants to be in the W-League.

This is just a sample of what needs to be considered. I think the W-League demands this level of commitment from all clubs. We obviously fall way below what I propose. Time to look forward not back. SA needs to regain respectability and credibility out there.

Players need to want to play for the Reds. Coaches need the support and the structure around them so they can make it work.

Most of us know that - we werent the last team to start training, lot of the stuff above has been said in one form or another in other posts.
I am talking about right here right now - I have my own view on what could be done, probably similar to what others think, eg, maybe make a few positional changes, go back to basics, add some physicality to their game,etc etc. Keep it short keep it positive.

[juniorsupporter]

Going forward, double the budget for a start. Not the only answer but would get the ball rolling. Program is under-resourced. Not a 'right here right now' solution I know, but I don't feel qualified to make tactical or positional suggestions. Look forward to reading them, though.

[beaches]

A simple approach is to take a leaf out of SACA (cricket ). Split Adelaide into 4 Zones and have a 4 team Super League. This way the W- League coach can see up to 70 players a week for 6 or 9 weeks. This would include players from other divisions to be given an opportunity, including 15 and 16 year olds. 2 games on a Wednesday night. This would be about identifying prospective talent in an environment that would be a step up from Premier League. This also puts pressure on current W-League squad members who would be expected to take part. The results of the games would not be the ruling factor.
When it was Adelaide Sensation, there was a mix of experience and very young players, who were in awe of these experienced players and were guided by them. Some of these young players no longer play or never reached great heights but they developed a work ethic which contributed to some success for the team. They were competitive at all times. That is all.

[SAD GAL]

Interesting reading.

General I think the Band Aid you’re on about is not even that. Physicality? Positional changes? Short Positive?

Read some of the posts lodged after the last couple of games. The players don’t have the football intellect to deal with much more than go out there and play the game you’ve been taught. And when things get tough just revert to what you’ve been playing at local level. That’s what seems to be happening.

They cannot understand anything other than run (walk) and kick. Technical ability is low.

Physicality? SO you advocate running out there and run through players hack? Because that’s what the players will interpret it as.

Shpt positive? Yeah I agree. WIN A GAME. PUT IN SOME EFFORT.

There is no leadership out there. Everyone is worried about there own singular situation. Team? What team. In a few weeks time they’ll all go back on holidays and the W-League? We’ll worry about it next year.

Well said Beaches. You’ve been around and seen enough to know where we’re all coming from.

[Caretaker Coach]

I think this topic is about what would you do if you were in charge of this squad right now. In the end it is all only different people's opinions.
Sad Gal you sound like you have a lot of experience in the women's game, rather then knock other people's ideas, what would you do if this team is what you had to work with ( in 25 words or less ) ?
Maybe The G should have been more specific, but I would interpret physicality as putting in fair hip and shoulder tackles everytime, you challenge for the ball, and winning those 50/50 challenges by putting your body over the ball(not leaning back ).
Maybe this is not the best group of players from our state, I agree SG they do seem to lack leadership on the field, as we dont seem to have enough older/experienced players on the park, this has to come from the coach - who needs to focus more on his players and not things he has no control over.Just my opinion.

[John Cena]

Appoint a local coach that can spend every week watching games....the money we spend at spitty we can spend on resources around the club, the players from NZ wouldnt be cheap either, if were going to make the team straonger we have to show that were fair dinkum about the team and how its run, i would rather see 11 18 yo olds out there busting there backsides and that are hungry to succeed than the same ol same ol. but thats just my opinion

[QuantoQuesta]

Hahaha

"They wouldn't have been in SASI if they weren't good enough" please, name any SA 25 year olds still playing the game good enough to play W League!?

SASI womens soccer was a joke, which is why it was cut from SASI! NO Matilda's produced in around 10 years!!!!!!!!! 28 year olds in SASI with poor levels of fitness, lacking technical and tactical ability, not good enough to play in the W League, shown by the number of inter state players MB had to bring in!

The NZ players do not cost a huge amount from what I understand, I think one is on her way to a US college on a scholarship so she can't get paid anything for scholarship qualification reasons!

And whoever said the W League team should be playing in the womens prem each week - IDIOT!!!!! How would the best 14-20 players in the league benefit from playing against weakened club sides in an already weak local competition??? So playing against 2nd string 14 year olds every week in a social league would prepare them for playing against international plays in the summer! PLEASE!

Most of the other teams have their players playing overseas or in men's competitions during the winter yet our players play in a league with players who have never played before (yes that happens in the womens prem!) Our womens prem league is not an elite league and needs scrapping or changing dramatically!

From what I hear two womens prem clubs have dropped out from last year and one other is struggling for players.... So could be down to 4 plus the state U14's...

DE wanted to take the NTC/ W league players out of the womens prem along with the young state team U12/13's to train ful time, year round, but has been prevented from doing so! FFSA needs to stand up and really committ to womens football!

[SAD GAL]

Thanks for the challenge Caretaker.

Not much can be done now. I wouldn’t even suggest saying to the girls “go out there and play and enjoy yourself” That’s not what its all about.

What I would do is start to work towards next season. Explain what it is I want the structure for the Lady Reds to look like. That it will become the top flight squad in SA in which to strive for. It’s an honour to be playing for the reds.

I would be instilling a sense of confidence that next season will not be the same as this because I will be seeking from the FFSA to do the following things ie get the core of the group together in the new year and push to have them in the local league. Have a structure of training and trial games against good opposition. That’s where you develop hardness, commitment and determination ….the results will then come.

Lets face it, the reds deserve this. Is not a 3 month project. It’s a year round commitment by all. Player development is a year round thing. You cannot expect us to be competitive when you go from a poor local prems league straight into W-League. Those who think otherwise are in denial.

I bet the FFSA spend more time (months and months and months) arguing, discussing, assessing, planning than the actual squad is together. That’s insane.

[SAD GAL]

Hahaha

"They wouldn't have been in SASI if they weren't good enough" please, name any SA 25 year olds still playing the game good enough to play W League!?

Couldn't have put it better myself.




SASI womens soccer was a joke, which is why it was cut from SASI! NO Matilda's produced in around 10 years!!!!!!!!! 28 year olds in SASI with poor levels of fitness, lacking technical and tactical ability, not good enough to play in the W League, shown by the number of inter state players MB had to bring in!

The NZ players do not cost a huge amount from what I understand, I think one is on her way to a US college on a scholarship so she can't get paid anything for scholarship qualification reasons!

And whoever said the W League team should be playing in the womens prem each week - IDIOT!!!!! How would the best 14-20 players in the league benefit from playing against weakened club sides in an already weak local competition??? So playing against 2nd string 14 year olds every week in a social league would prepare them for playing against international plays in the summer! PLEASE!

Most of the other teams have their players playing overseas or in men's competitions during the winter yet our players play in a league with players who have never played before (yes that happens in the womens prem!) Our womens prem league is not an elite league and needs scrapping or changing dramatically!

From what I hear two womens prem clubs have dropped out from last year and one other is struggling for players.... So could be down to 4 plus the state U14's...

DE wanted to take the NTC/ W league players out of the womens prem along with the young state team U12/13's to train ful time, year round, but has been prevented from doing so! FFSA needs to stand up and really committ to womens football!

[QuantoQuesta]

Thanks for the challenge Caretaker.

Not much can be done now. I wouldn’t even suggest saying to the girls “go out there and play and enjoy yourself” That’s not what its all about.

What I would do is start to work towards next season. Explain what it is I want the structure for the Lady Reds to look like. That it will become the top flight squad in SA in which to strive for. It’s an honour to be playing for the reds.

I would be instilling a sense of confidence that next season will not be the same as this because I will be seeking from the FFSA to do the following things ie get the core of the group together in the new year and push to have them in the local league. Have a structure of training and trial games against good opposition. That’s where you develop hardness, commitment and determination ….the results will then come.

Lets face it, the reds deserve this. Is not a 3 month project. It’s a year round commitment by all. Player development is a year round thing. You cannot expect us to be competitive when you go from a poor local prems league straight into W-League. Those who think otherwise are in denial.

I bet the FFSA spend more time (months and months and months) arguing, discussing, assessing, planning than the actual squad is together. That’s insane.

SG you say can't go from a weak local league to w league yet suggest having the w league side play in that same local league in the winter???? How would that help or have I misunderstood?

[SAD GAL]

The intent was to keep the squad together albeit that there may be changes once the season (Reds) starts. End of the day I’m not about slamming the players and the comp topo hard although it’s a c=shambles.

I agree with EVERYTHING said on here. The Prems is a disgrace. End of the day what’s been done to arrest the slide? Nothing.

It’s a double edged sword. Get the nucleus of the Reds playing in the Prems. Hopefully this will add another decent team to the fold.

And I don’t want to read “But there aren’t enough good players out there to play in Prems”. If this is the case, then shut the doors. Close the Reds down and SA will no longer be able to participate in any national/state comp. Don’t embarrass the State.

[The General]

Cheers for your thoughts Sad Gal, I certainly wasnt encouraging dirty rough play, when you have to start playing like that time to give the game away. Just overall hard fair agression and really competing for every ball, at least try and make it a more even contest.
I cant believe how many times our defenders are caught ball watching, seems to be in most of the W League teams this year.
Do they lack someone who can read the game and is vocal, can even come from the GK tell the players to stay goalside - or, are they under different instructions from the coach ?
One thing for sure, as you pointed out, strong leadership is imperative, we dont seem to have that.

Maybe you can answer a query for me please, from the few women's matches I have seen this year in the local comp, there seems to be a growing tendency, some of the older / experienced players are playing way below their capabilities, causing a lack of experienced players at the top level. Have the ffsa brought out a cap or something on players reaching a certain age cant play Prems ? Why arent they playing higher up ? It is good to see young enthusiatic players running around, wouldnt they learn faster by having 3 or 4 experienced players with them ?

[M@rvin]

Maybe you can answer a query for me please, from the few women's matches I have seen this year in the local comp, there seems to be a growing tendency, some of the older / experienced players are playing way below their capabilities, causing a lack of experienced players at the top level. Have the ffsa brought out a cap or something on players reaching a certain age cant play Prems ? Why arent they playing higher up ? It is good to see young enthusiatic players running around, wouldnt they learn faster by having 3 or 4 experienced players with them ?

From what I have seen is that circumstances have changed for these players, job/family comitments mean they cant train as much or play every game. So rather than quit altogether they play at a lower level.

[John Cena]

sorry to say but it hasnt changed in the last 3 years so why would they in the future, lets just hope that we have a team in the league next season, or it could be RIP Lady Reds

[Easy Tiger]

Hahaha

"They wouldn't have been in SASI if they weren't good enough" please, name any SA 25 year olds still playing the game good enough to play W League!?

SASI womens soccer was a joke, which is why it was cut from SASI! NO Matilda's produced in around 10 years!!!!!!!!! 28 year olds in SASI with poor levels of fitness, lacking technical and tactical ability, not good enough to play in the W League, shown by the number of inter state players MB had to bring in!

The NZ players do not cost a huge amount from what I understand, I think one is on her way to a US college on a scholarship so she can't get paid anything for scholarship qualification reasons!

And whoever said the W League team should be playing in the womens prem each week - IDIOT!!!!! How would the best 14-20 players in the league benefit from playing against weakened club sides in an already weak local competition??? So playing against 2nd string 14 year olds every week in a social league would prepare them for playing against international plays in the summer! PLEASE!

Most of the other teams have their players playing overseas or in men's competitions during the winter yet our players play in a league with players who have never played before (yes that happens in the womens prem!) Our womens prem league is not an elite league and needs scrapping or changing dramatically!

From what I hear two womens prem clubs have dropped out from last year and one other is struggling for players.... So could be down to 4 plus the state U14's...

DE wanted to take the NTC/ W league players out of the womens prem along with the young state team U12/13's to train ful time, year round, but has been prevented from doing so! FFSA needs to stand up and really committ to womens football!

Whaaat? Really?

[Faith No More]

if the lady reds was your pet, you would have it put out of its misery and RIP.
Honestly it must be embarrassing for the coach, players, supporters etc.
bring the blind school into the league, they might get a draw

[Red-4-Life]

I used to look forward to going and watch them play because they started looking like a competitive team again last season and the start of this season. but this season I have just lost interest and having to travel to Burton to watch them is also a massive turn off...

[truth be told]

The bottom line is that not the best players from South Australia were selected. No offense to any of the players in the squad, but we have better players in SA than the ones that DE has signed from interstate and SA. It has nothing to do with age or solely money, it's to do with selecting the right players based on their dedication and ability. Instead of looking else where, why not look in SA for the best players.

[johnydep]

The bottom line is that not the best players from South Australia were selected. No offense to any of the players in the squad, but we have better players in SA than the ones that DE has signed from interstate and SA. It has nothing to do with age or solely money, it's to do with selecting the right players based on their dedication and ability. Instead of looking else where, why not look in SA for the best players.

I hope you're new to the forums, and not just another person too scared to put their name to what they think.

It's tiring to hear the constant blaming of clubs, and of the Lady Reds coach.

The problem is in the way that the organisation is implementing its system; lack of consultation and communication with clubs and players, confidence of players, and so on (can't be bothered saying it again).

Did anyone watch this years State teams? The training was low intensity, the games mostly boring, player/parents had little or no feedback, football education was poor (there's more to it than just knowing one position).

Some of those players were with the State system for several years; has anyone done an audit on their progress? Some of the exceptional players learnt their trade at clubs, not the State. These are the future Lady Reds players.

Everyone on here needs to stop blaming the players and the coach. You need to look at the people that have implemented change and those that have been happy to follow rather than lead, you need to look at the experience of those working in the system. There are (or was) junior experience teaching the senior squad, people being influenced by parents rather than consulting clubs, etc.

Questions that need answering:

• How many players has the State system produced in the past 6 years?
• Which clubs did those players come from?
• What is the percentage figure, of players developed that have moved into a serious football playing role (using total player numbers from State system)?
• Which coaches produced players ready for high level competition? (List of players for each coach).
• Has there been any analysis work done (on system used, players, coaches, outcomes to clubs and their players, etc)?
• What is the final goal of the State system, is there a time line, is there another way if the current system fails?
• What is the process used by the FFSA in coming up with the current process and implementing change?
• Who is on the board that decides and introduces the football development system of the past 6 or so years?
  Etc

There is one simple answer - Independent inquiry!

[no one important]

Problem is not all the best players were selected i know one player not there that should be and she was told technically your good enough but sorry your to short Please open your eyes FFSA

[QuantoQuesta]

Hard to believe when you look at some of the short players selected, Waterhouse, Maggio etc... Unless of course it was a keeper, in which case, I think the best 2 have been selected this time round...

[Xanto]

The Lady Reds are underpinned by the worst run sporting comp in Asutralia and thats local womens soccer.
That why its failing.

[lollipop]

Good to see the same crap is still slinging on this forum! oh how I havent missed SA football

[Armageddon]

Good to see the same crap is still slinging on this forum! oh how I havent missed SA football

Its like Days of our lives, you dont see it for 6 months yet nothing really changes !

[lollipop]

ive been away almost 6 years and nothing has changed