Lady Reds Arrivals and Departures for season 3

[Red-4-Life]

FYI I have watched all the games. And I know that there's only so long a defense can remain strong whilst the forwards fail to penetrate the other end of the pitch. Not only is it frustrating for the defenders but also both mentally and physically demanding so obviously this will result in a 'leaky' defense. My point, however, is that it is not the defenders' fault, Mike should have focused on signing strikers rather than defenders.

Also heard along the grapevine Gunning is actually a defender, although she can play any position? Can anyone confirm or disprove this rumour?

have heard she wanted to play defence for a game...

[gee_kay]

Strikers still to blame

[Red-4-Life]

I get the feeling that today is an all round poor performance.

[SwandelPark]

Gunning does alright up front for a defender (if that's the case)

[rain maker]

Strikers still to blame

You can't honestly say this is all the defenders' fault?! You didn't even see the game, nor did anyone else!
Point is, Mike spent too much money importing defenders when Adelaide already has many, 'capable' defenders. Why didn't he spend all his money focusing on a key striker such as De Vanna?

Blackburn and Day are both solid defenders, but only one was required for United's squad, not both. Height isn't everything. Because with height comes a lack of speed, and with a lack of speed comes a lack of mobility and agility. Funnily enough, Mike himself told mutliple local defenders that they were "not good enough" in that area and they need to improve on it to be competitive against the likes of strikers such as De Vanna. Bit of a hypocrite now eh? (Oh and FYI, he didn't actually tell the players directly about this, he told another coach who, having the player's ability in their best interest, kindly passed on the information and offered their assistance to help improve this deficiency.)

Mike needs to go. He may be a successful men's coach, but he's by far the worst women's coach Adelaide has seen in a while. Week in, week out, the same results. You can only blame the players for so long. United's squad is the best it's ever been yet we still fail to score goals let alone claim a point. Is it because we have so many imports that the team doesn't 'gel'? Personally, I'm sure that contributes a little bit, but that's not the main reason. After all, Gorry has been United's best player in all the games and yet she doesn't train with the team. We lack penetration up front. He's signing midfielders and attempting to 'convert' them into strikers, i.e. with Donna. Why not just sign a striker instead of multiple midfielders and assuming you can 'create' a striker out of them?

Get a female coach in charge. Mike's lost the respect of players and fans.

[Red-4-Life]

Strikers still to blame

You can't honestly say this is all the defenders' fault?! You didn't even see the game, nor did anyone else!
Point is, Mike spent too much money importing defenders when Adelaide already has many, 'capable' defenders. Why didn't he spend all his money focusing on a key striker such as De Vanna?

Blackburn and Day are both solid defenders, but only one was required for United's squad, not both. Height isn't everything. Because with height comes a lack of speed, and with a lack of speed comes a lack of mobility and agility. Funnily enough, Mike himself told mutliple local defenders that they were "not good enough" in that area and they need to improve on it to be competitive against the likes of strikers such as De Vanna. Bit of a hypocrite now eh? (Oh and FYI, he didn't actually tell the players directly about this, he told another coach who, having the player's ability in their best interest, kindly passed on the information and offered their assistance to help improve this deficiency.)

Mike needs to go. He may be a successful men's coach, but he's by far the worst women's coach Adelaide has seen in a while. Week in, week out, the same results. You can only blame the players for so long. United's squad is the best it's ever been yet we still fail to score goals let alone claim a point. Is it because we have so many imports that the team doesn't 'gel'? Personally, I'm sure that contributes a little bit, but that's not the main reason. After all, Gorry has been United's best player in all the games and yet she doesn't train with the team. We lack penetration up front. He's signing midfielders and attempting to 'convert' them into strikers, i.e. with Donna. Why not just sign a striker instead of multiple midfielders and assuming you can 'create' a striker out of them?

Get a female coach in charge. Mike's lost the respect of players and fans.

Very well said, agree with all points you have made. This is a strong squad but we have seen no improvement on the scoreboard. I really do feel sorry for the players because i think we all know they are capable of winning games and playing far better. But Mike's "game plans" do not allow for the players to maximise their potential on the field. Popovic, Gorry, Day, Mahoney, Gunning, Kurulay...all very good interstate/O.S signings but the results are not thee to prove it. The team not training together yeah I'd say too that it has some contribution to the results but theres no way its the main reason especially as we have seen the same results week in week out for 3 years now.


Bye bye Barnett, dont come back! Our feelings will be made clear on friday

[Easy Tiger]

Strikers still to blame

You can't honestly say this is all the defenders' fault?! You didn't even see the game, nor did anyone else!
Point is, Mike spent too much money importing defenders when Adelaide already has many, 'capable' defenders. Why didn't he spend all his money focusing on a key striker such as De Vanna?

Blackburn and Day are both solid defenders, but only one was required for United's squad, not both. Height isn't everything. Because with height comes a lack of speed, and with a lack of speed comes a lack of mobility and agility. Funnily enough, Mike himself told mutliple local defenders that they were "not good enough" in that area and they need to improve on it to be competitive against the likes of strikers such as De Vanna. Bit of a hypocrite now eh? (Oh and FYI, he didn't actually tell the players directly about this, he told another coach who, having the player's ability in their best interest, kindly passed on the information and offered their assistance to help improve this deficiency.)

Mike needs to go. He may be a successful men's coach, but he's by far the worst women's coach Adelaide has seen in a while. Week in, week out, the same results. You can only blame the players for so long. United's squad is the best it's ever been yet we still fail to score goals let alone claim a point. Is it because we have so many imports that the team doesn't 'gel'? Personally, I'm sure that contributes a little bit, but that's not the main reason. After all, Gorry has been United's best player in all the games and yet she doesn't train with the team. We lack penetration up front. He's signing midfielders and attempting to 'convert' them into strikers, i.e. with Donna. Why not just sign a striker instead of multiple midfielders and assuming you can 'create' a striker out of them?

Get a female coach in charge. Mike's lost the respect of players and fans.

I think he lost the respect of everybody. The fans, the players and everyone in women's soccer. Only the AU/FFSA (who is actually in charge of his position?) can't see what is obvious to everybody. Why don't they just ask the players??? GET A RESPECTED/EXPERIENCED/SUCCESSFUL SOUTH AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S COACH!!! It's only using women's soccer people that Adelaide can grow in women's soccer!

[one nil]

Strikers still to blame

You can't honestly say this is all the defenders' fault?! You didn't even see the game, nor did anyone else!
Point is, Mike spent too much money importing defenders when Adelaide already has many, 'capable' defenders. Why didn't he spend all his money focusing on a key striker such as De Vanna?

Blackburn and Day are both solid defenders, but only one was required for United's squad, not both. Height isn't everything. Because with height comes a lack of speed, and with a lack of speed comes a lack of mobility and agility. Funnily enough, Mike himself told mutliple local defenders that they were "not good enough" in that area and they need to improve on it to be competitive against the likes of strikers such as De Vanna. Bit of a hypocrite now eh? (Oh and FYI, he didn't actually tell the players directly about this, he told another coach who, having the player's ability in their best interest, kindly passed on the information and offered their assistance to help improve this deficiency.)

Mike needs to go. He may be a successful men's coach, but he's by far the worst women's coach Adelaide has seen in a while. Week in, week out, the same results. You can only blame the players for so long. United's squad is the best it's ever been yet we still fail to score goals let alone claim a point. Is it because we have so many imports that the team doesn't 'gel'? Personally, I'm sure that contributes a little bit, but that's not the main reason. After all, Gorry has been United's best player in all the games and yet she doesn't train with the team. We lack penetration up front. He's signing midfielders and attempting to 'convert' them into strikers, i.e. with Donna. Why not just sign a striker instead of multiple midfielders and assuming you can 'create' a striker out of them?

Get a female coach in charge. Mike's lost the respect of players and fans.

I think he lost the respect of everybody. The fans, the players and everyone in women's soccer. Only the AU/FFSA (who is actually in charge of his position?) can't see what is obvious to everybody. Why don't they just ask the players??? GET A RESPECTED/EXPERIENCED/SUCCESSFUL SOUTH AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S COACH!!! It's only using women's soccer people that Adelaide can grow in women's soccer!

Its 'womens soccer people' that are responsible for the game being where it is. Here's the truth for you, with the exception of K.Mc, there is NO ONE in womens soccer who knows anywhere near enough to be considered (although there may be a few who are prepared to say and do all the 'warm and fuzzy things that make you all feel so good about yourselves)

The players are not good enough....period.

[Caretaker Coach]

In response to "if in the know" we may not have the calibre of players Mr McCormack has had in the past,but to say Kevin is the only one in SA who is capable of successfully coaching a women's side,not only is it ridiculous thing to say,unfair on all the women who are coaching at the moment. We have players who have played at the highest level,who are putting something back into the game through Coaching,who deserve to be given a go - until they are,we will never know.

I have been involved in one way or another with Women's Football in this state for 12 years, I know at least two or three women who deserve to be given a go at coaching the Lady Red's.
1. they will be immediately respected because most of the current squad would have looked upto these women when they were playing
2. because they have played at a high level,they will be let the current players know what it takes to get there
3. better communication skills
4. they cant do any worse.


Maybe the FFSA are too scared to change now, if they do,and the team gets immediate results,there will be a huge outcry of John Warren's quote, " I told you so."

[The General]

It is absolutely ridiculous thing to say that there are no women here qualified enough to coach the Lady Reds,if that was true,then the men who have been coaching them havent been doing their job properly - and I agree with the sentiment " cant do any worse."

[John Cena]

wow, ive been saying that for a few seasons about barnett, and hasnt Joe Bloggs gone real quiet....lol.....its time like black, and co take over who know what the girls can do on the park .

[The General]

wow, ive been saying that for a few seasons about barnett, and hasnt Joe Bloggs gone real quiet....lol.....its time like black, and co take over who know what the girls can do on the park .

+1

[Black Hawk]

To up the standard of womens football, any football in fact, you need to bring in people of greater knowledge, experience and standing rather than dredging through the ones from within.

For example, Australia's curriculum is being lead by a dutchman and a german, even the poms have brought in an italian manager.

I feel confident that the Reds players are learning from Barnett and the standard will lift, he is coming from a mens national league standard and they are U14 boys zone team standard. If he is replaced then a similar higher standard of football must applied and not go back to a person of lesser ability.

Knowledge of the local womens games is not necessary, it is football knowledge that is needed.

[John Cena]

Black Hawk how many seasons has he been there now and nothing has changed, people will not go and support the team with this bloke in charge FULL STOP

[Black Hawk]

If he has got to go he has got to go but do not go backwards, go forward and get somebody who has played and coached a significantly higher football.

[John Cena]

If he has got to go he has got to go but do not go backwards, go forward and get somebody who has played and coached a significantly higher football.

we have retired players here in the state that have played for the matildas, coaching women and coaching men is a different game, As I said before, blacky, jenkins enzo etc can do the job they see the players week in week out,

[one nil]

If he has got to go he has got to go but do not go backwards, go forward and get somebody who has played and coached a significantly higher football.

we have retired players here in the state that have played for the matildas, coaching women and coaching men is a different game, As I said before, blacky, jenkins enzo etc can do the job they see the players week in week out,

No idea Only one there with any credibility (as a coach) is Jenkins, and she isnt good enough to coach at that level by herself.

[John Cena]

If he has got to go he has got to go but do not go backwards, go forward and get somebody who has played and coached a significantly higher football.

we have retired players here in the state that have played for the matildas, coaching women and coaching men is a different game, As I said before, blacky, jenkins enzo etc can do the job they see the players week in week out,

No idea Only one there with any credibility (as a coach) is Jenkins, and she isnt good enough to coach at that level by herself.

I have no idea you look at the credentials barnett has and how has that helped the team

[one nil]

we have retired players here in the state that have played for the matildas, coaching women and coaching men is a different game, As I said before, blacky, jenkins enzo etc can do the job they see the players week in week out,[/quote]


No idea Only one there with any credibility (as a coach) is Jenkins, and she isnt good enough to coach at that level by herself.[/quote]


I have no idea you look at the credentials barnett has and how has that helped the team [/quote]

So your answer is to get someone with EVEN LESS credentials :? As I said, NO IDEA ....ps, ever thought that the players are just simply nowhere near good enough?

[juniorsupporter]

There's a lot of whining about the problem in this thread (with the notable exception of pvfc), and not a whole lot of focus on how to solve the problem. Hiring a new coach or replacing the players is a short-term solution not likely to last very long, or even be successful at all- a bandaid. The problem is systemic here in South Australia- pvfc makes a good point when he says that our junior elite programs have become more competitive nationally in the last few years but that this success hasn't translated to the senior national level (Mathildas and W-League). How do we all, (and again pvfc correctly points out that it needs to be a cooperative effort between all of the parties involved- club, sasi and adelaide united) help successful junior players develop into successful senior players? FFSA, SASi and Adelaide United seem to recognize there is an issue and it would seem that some cooperation is forthcoming- Any constructive ideas out there?

[John Cena]

we have retired players here in the state that have played for the matildas, coaching women and coaching men is a different game, As I said before, blacky, jenkins enzo etc can do the job they see the players week in week out,

No idea Only one there with any credibility (as a coach) is Jenkins, and she isnt good enough to coach at that level by herself.[/quote]


I have no idea you look at the credentials barnett has and how has that helped the team [/quote]

So your answer is to get someone with EVEN LESS credentials :? As I said, NO IDEA ....ps, ever thought that the players are just simply nowhere near good enough?[/quote]


my answer is give someone a go that knows the game , you cant get credentials unless your given a go to prove yourself

[Caretaker Coach]

wow, ive been saying that for a few seasons about barnett, and hasnt Joe Bloggs gone real quiet....lol.....its time like black, and co take over who know what the girls can do on the park .

+1

By appointing a female coach,who has been involved the game at all levels,you will have someone who knows the players,can connect with players and staff, will be able to keep tabs on players during the season, ( not someone who only sees them just prior to the W League starting )and she will be more inclined to stay on - eg wont be worried about what men's team she is coaching next season.

[The General]

wow, ive been saying that for a few seasons about barnett, and hasnt Joe Bloggs gone real quiet....lol.....its time like black, and co take over who know what the girls can do on the park .

+1

By appointing a female coach,who has been involved the game at all levels,you will have someone who knows the players,can connect with players and staff, will be able to keep tabs on players during the season, ( not someone who only sees them just prior to the W League starting )and she will be more inclined to stay on - eg wont be worried about what men's team she is coaching next season.

And someone who has the ability to get the best out of their players - not someone who has had success at club level by recruiting the best players from other clubs to her club.

[SAD GAL]

Unfortunately, the “female coach” experiment has been tried and although there were some decent persons who were capable, the experiment did not deliver what was expected. Basically you can rattle off all the names and they all arrived with huge expectations and departed without fanfare.

Knowing the women’s scene is probably a benefit however, I don’t think the female coaches could quite be the “hard hand” they needed to be and were easily controlled/manipulated by many players (to the coaches detriment).

Needless to say many good male coaches came, saw and tried to make a difference however they also left.

The female game is a unique thing in that there are many obstacles to cross. Many that end up stifling the game. I have said many times before, in many instances it has not evolved into the anything other than a social gathering for like minded girls. Its when places like SASI , state or national league want to extract some rough diamonds and make them polished players that they all come crashing down and expectations not met.

[one nil]

Unfortunately, the “female coach” experiment has been tried and although there were some decent persons who were capable, the experiment did not deliver what was expected. Basically you can rattle off all the names and they all arrived with huge expectations and departed without fanfare.

Knowing the women’s scene is probably a benefit however, I don’t think the female coaches could quite be the “hard hand” they needed to be and were easily controlled/manipulated by many players (to the coaches detriment).

Needless to say many good male coaches came, saw and tried to make a difference however they also left.

The female game is a unique thing in that there are many obstacles to cross. Many that end up stifling the game. I have said many times before, in many instances it has not evolved into the anything other than a social gathering for like minded girls. Its when places like SASI , state or national league want to extract some rough diamonds and make them polished players that they all come crashing down and expectations not met.

Thank you SAD GAL (again)! I can only think that the people who are making these comments dont know what has gone on in the past, cos if they did, they would not be making such naieve comments (albeit well intentioned im sure). I really dont need to add anything to this post as SAD GAL has summised the situation perfectly.

[Caretaker Coach]

Unfortunately, the “female coach” experiment has been tried and although there were some decent persons who were capable, the experiment did not deliver what was expected. Basically you can rattle off all the names and they all arrived with huge expectations and departed without fanfare.

Knowing the women’s scene is probably a benefit however, I don’t think the female coaches could quite be the “hard hand” they needed to be and were easily controlled/manipulated by many players (to the coaches detriment).

Needless to say many good male coaches came, saw and tried to make a difference however they also left.

The female game is a unique thing in that there are many obstacles to cross. Many that end up stifling the game. I have said many times before, in many instances it has not evolved into the anything other than a social gathering for like minded girls. Its when places like SASI , state or national league want to extract some rough diamonds and make them polished players that they all come crashing down and expectations not met.

You are probably much closer to what goes on then I am so you are probably right. From what I know,for those female coaches to get involved back then was a new thing,and they were too young and were very raw. They are older and much wiser now, I wonder how they would go coaching now,I would think there would me a lot more discipline,and training would be a lot more game structured.Just looking at some of the International sides who have female coaches,first thing I noticed is that the coach is much older then the players-like double their age(dont mean that disrespectfully )Maybe we made the mistake of having female coaches who were a bit young for coaching at a senior level. What if you had a male coach offered to be an assistant coach to the female coach ? I have been fortunate to have been involved in the men's game a long time, and I have also been fortunate to have spent some time with Sharon Black, and Cindy Romaine, working with both the kids and senior players,and I can tell you,it was hard work,players enjoyed it,they learnt something - but it was no picnic for the players-they didnt get a chance to muck around.