Lady reds

[QuantoQuesta]

NO! SASI included a younger group but continued to run the senior group right up until it was disbanded.

SASI in my opinion got very lazy in the last few years of its running and probably needed to go but i do agree the older players, 18+ do need a program as well as the younger NTC players.

[Leppskiii]

Players of my age group who were kicked out of the Sasi program prior to the wleague being created and post wnsl had a 1-2 year period of just purely premier league football. This lead to more than half quitting and the other half still remaining to just be lost in the wilderness while our interstate counterparts were still involved in their programs. My age group should be the core of the w-league side like Brisbane and so on the same age group as kk, tameka butt, servett so on!

[juniorsupporter]

Thanks Lepps- that's exactly what I thought and had heard had happened. Hopefully they can sort out something that will keep players over 18 challenged and in the game. Doesn't help those who were left high and dry back then, I'm afraid. But a step in the right direction for a stronger WLeague side in future, with more SA players.

Players in that elite/committed category want a program during the Premier League season that will challenge them- they won't go just where their friends are but rather where they can improve- there's a huge opportunity here for a club, or several women's clubs, to raise the expectations- find a quality coach (not to say that there aren't quality coaches at the moment- ER and TJ come to mind-but expectations of the local football culture for the girls aren't high enough), train 3-4 times/week...produce and develop WLeague players-

The fact that there is no FFSA elite program after 18 is a huge opportunity for the clubs, but only if they can provide the programs to keep these players developing. Otherwise, we'll continue to lose them either to other states, overseas or they'll drop out altogether. If you build it, they will come.....

[voldemort]

I think the Reds will soon attract many of the "lost" players to the league. Senior and capable players that once were the cream of the SA scene may return. One here or there....maybe just to trials....maybe make the squad. Who knows. I have a good and positive vibe about this season.

Did I read some positive comments from Sad Gal? OMG!!

Have to agree really looking forward to the season

I think the main thing with the Lady Reds is to learn from the past and not make same mistakes.

Barnett showed bringing in a coach without any experience coaching women before just didn’t work

DE’s we play mandate FFA system playing out from the back with less skilled & less experienced team than the opposition then his own laughable figures of we are doing great 65% possession but got consistently smashed 5 nil

DE’s Olympic athlete style training be fitter better organised than the other teams = cram 12 months prep work into 6 weeks.

DE’s 3 trial games prior to the season starting and the Lady Reds are ready to go…delusional

Oh - hang on - hold the phone…lots of things are sounding the same, fascinating to see if the outcome is different

[snow white]

Can someone confirm that apart from last Sunday's trial, has the lady reds provisional squad been training this week???

[Unretired]

Nope no one is training this week unless they are doing their own..

[snow white]

Nope no one is training this week unless they are doing their own..

Cheers Retired.

Ironic reading some posts in this thread about being 'sick of (others) blaming FFSA and lady reds for lack of fitness', when we are about 6 weeks out from the league start, yet the squad isn't defined, let alone training.

But hey presto, its all the Premier League's fault or the players themselves who don;t even know if they are in the running to play or not, right?? Obviously Lady reds aren't too worried about fitness if they aren't even training as we speak.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I recall Lady Reds starting training as early as April under Barnett?? Now sure starting early didn't help the results back then, but fitness wouldn't have been issue if proper conditioning started in April/May. If anything, it proves that the deficiencies of the lady reds over every W League season go alot deeper than just 'lack of fitness'.

If lack of fitness is a a major issue in past campaign failures, then only people to only people to blame are those who actually run the team.

Premier League training of twice a week (Provided players turn up both nights) won't suffice.

Its entirely the responsibility of the governing body to provide an additional training structure for the elite pathway, particuarly for players beyond NTC age who have been sadly neglected to the game's detriment.

Look at the makeup of every lady red side and the massive turnover of players. This season will be no different with the starting 11 to be totally different bar perhaps Jess Waterhouse and Moore. We will not enjoy any sustainable success if we turn over the squad every season and chew up and spit out those 'older players'.

For the record, Im delighted with Ross's appointment. I sincerely hope though the FFSA provide the organisational nous and support to him so he can focus on the football alone and to get the best out of the next 6 weeks preparation.