Is Paul Roos still the greatest person in the universe ever?

**Nico** · 4th July 2010, 08:37 PM

I have read both his books in recent weeks. Both were written when he was in a position of strength for want of a better term. The first one after his playing days and all about the glory. Pretty good read but one thing struck me. He said he was never one who thought that centre clearances were that important and had a great impact. He did though change his thoughts a bit later on when he played under Walls and the "huddle", although didn't sound that convincing on the issue. I mused as I read this bit as to whether he still doesn't think it is important given our poor centre clearance record.

The second is a feel good book about his and his wife's philosophies on life and I can see why he has been a good leader of men and that players wanted to play for him. He showed he has a pretty good feel for his fellow human being. On "the team" he is very strong on playing to your strengths and covering or accounting best you can your weaknesses. Well I don't know that he follows that line at the moment. He appears to be coaching to the weaknesses and not the strengths. eg. Goodes out of the midfield to cover forward weakness when it clearly isn't working, using McVeigh to tag many times, Bird in defensive roles when he is purely a midfielder, conservative selection with older players to try to hold up the dyke wall and a completely defensive game plan and no flair to our game at all. My thoughts and I am sure others will differ. One of the boys at the footy today said he appears to be coaching to the Paul Roos ego and making sure he stays the darling of the media so as to ensure his future employment prospects.

Will he write a third book about the downside to coaching and the tough times.

**Bloody Hell** · 4th July 2010, 08:49 PM

The only meaningful catalyst to change I can see is Roos handing over the reigns early. Dropping/resting layers, moving them around is meaningless. Sayin we are a bottom side when we're still in the 8. His heart isn't in it....and IMO it's reflected in the attitude of the players.

**Xie Shan** · 4th July 2010, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by Nico

I have read both his books in recent weeks. Both were written when he was in a position of strength for want of a better term. The first one after his playing days and all about the glory. Pretty good read but one thing struck me. He said he was never one who thought that centre clearances were that important and had a great impact. He did though change his thoughts a bit later on when he played under Walls and the "huddle", although didn't sound that convincing on the issue. I mused as I read this bit as to whether he still doesn't think it is important given our poor centre clearance record.

The second is a feel good book about his and his wife's philosophies on life and I can see why he has been a good leader of men and that players wanted to play for him. He showed he has a pretty good feel for his fellow human being. On "the team" he is very strong on playing to your strengths and covering or accounting best you can your weaknesses. Well I don't know that he follows that line at the moment. He appears to be coaching to the weaknesses and not the strengths. eg. Goodes out of the midfield to cover forward weakness when it clearly isn't working, using McVeigh to tag many times, Bird in defensive roles when he is purely a midfielder, conservative selection with older players to try to hold up the dyke wall and a completely defensive game plan and no flair to our game at all. My thoughts and I am sure others will differ. One of the boys at the footy today said he appears to be coaching to the Paul Roos ego and making sure he stays the darling of the media so as to ensure his future employment prospects.

Will he write a third book about the downside to coaching and the tough times.

It's hard to argue with any of that (even though the original post was a troll). As you said in the other thread, he's clearly limping towards the finish line. He obviously knew at the start of the year that his time was almost up, which is why he called it quits, so I think we should acknowledge that. It was always going to be tough for the outgoing coach if we had a form slump at some stage during the year. Just hope that the guys can pull together and finish the year with some pride.

**stellation** · 4th July 2010, 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by swans_premiers

He is a much greater man than you.

Originally Posted by DeadlyAkkuret

This

How do you know?

**Nico** · 4th July 2010, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by Xie Shan

It's hard to argue with any of that (even though the original post was a troll). As you said in the other thread, he's clearly limping towards the finish line. He obviously knew at the start of the year that his time was almost up, which is why he called it quits, so I think we should acknowledge that. It was always going to be tough for the outgoing coach if we had a form slump at some stage during the year. Just hope that the guys can pull together and finish the year with some pride.

Why is the original post a troll? ROK hasn't wavered from this opinion in the time I have been on this site. Disrespect his opinion as you will, but it is hardly a troll.

**CJK** · 4th July 2010, 09:34 PM

This is certainly the greatest thread in the universe.

**Xie Shan** · 4th July 2010, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by Nico

Why is the original post a troll? ROK hasn't wavered from this opinion in the time I have been on this site. Disrespect his opinion as you will, but it is hardly a troll.

Oh no, I'm fine with ROK expressing his opinion, but he was still baiting a little with the thread title, not having a go at all. A gentle troll to stir up a bit of debate, if done in the right way, makes things more interesting on here anyway.

**Legs Akimbo** · 4th July 2010, 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by stellation

How do you know?

They don't or perhaps they use fairly superficial criteria.

**Midfield** · 4th July 2010, 10:14 PM

His record of making the finals speaks for itself. He fostered the rise of the bloods, won a flag and will leave us in pretty good shape. Could name his price at any other club and we have been lucky to have him. So pretty much yes.