Why is it that some supporters need a player to pillory?
First one I remember was Kevin Walsh, and since then many have been burnt by so-called fans.
Zaka is a Club Champion, had a great first part of the season, and while his past weeks form fell off, he was still up in the top players.
Some of you need to get a new scapegoat.
Serious question, are people allowed to make criticism if it’s deserved? Heaven forbid a player doesn’t perform for an extended period and we question his place in the side. He’s been rubbish for 10 weeks. There was no “maybe” or “he was good in bits” about it, pure rubbish. One good performance doesn’t make a “aww yeah, told you!”. I nor the club shouldn’t accept mediocrity and I don’t want to have another 15 years of nothingness and Essington. I don’t want a Melbourne-esque culture of backslapping and high-fiving each other just because they wear the shirt, and being overly zealous in the defence of any and every player just because. If having players gather 5 possessions in 3 quarters regulary is something that is applauded then I can’t wait for the next 20 years of Essington. Have we really let standards slip so far in 10 years? Zaka himself said he was playing tripe, we don’t need fanatics coming to his rescue.
And on the bolded part you need to hold up a second , he’s been deplorable for the past 10 weeks and was nowhere even near the top few. I know he was really good today but that doesn’t make everything rosy for the past few months. And no, just because I point out a player hasn’t been performing doesn’t mean I don’t love them as a player at their best or want them to not succeed. See that’s where
Oh and no he’s not a club champion, nowhere near. Yes he won a best and fairest so technically if you’re talking about that then yes, buy if you’re talking about being an Essendon champ in the playing sense then I wouldn’t have rated him ANYWHERE near anything than a good above average player in some years. I hope he keeps this form up next week and next year. If he plays like today every week next year then I’m going to tip us for finals. That’s how good he is and that’s how much I rate him at his best. And that’s why we get frustrated, because at his best he’s so ■■■■■■ good.
“If it’s deserved… No maybe or he was good in bits about it… Pure rubbish”.
See that’s where you need to be careful. No doubt Zaka has been down on form. He has said so. He’s working through it. It happens. But in the last “10 weeks”, he’s had games of 40, 33,30 and 25 possessions. Leave out this weekend? Ok, take out a 40 pos game and switch in a 31.
Now, pure possession numbers aren’t all, but if you call that “pure rubbish” you can go barrack for Richmond, they’ve got Ty Vickery to keep you amused. He’s also had 46 tackles over 10 weeks. Not sure if that’s a club high but it wouldn’t be off it by much.
You are right, one good performance does not make “I told you so”. But neither does a rough 6 games make 10 weeks of pure rubbish. And in a moment of triumph it is at best churlish to even mention his down patch. I’d hate to hear you give a wedding speech or send off a workmate…
I’m sure the club is happy for you to set the standard for Zaka to meet, how noble. Without that I’m sure neither they nor he were onto the fact that he needed to get more of the pill. And mate, no ones been celebrating or high fiving after his down games. We’re just not tossing the toys out of the cot.
The groundswell of abuse Stants had to put up with was disturbing; thankfully (but no thanks to those who dished out, including plenty who justified their criticisms on here) Stants came through it and played some - more - great footy. I’m not saying anyone needs to clap a bad game but a bit of holding back before vomiting out comments like ‘pea heart’ and ‘take a decent trade and run’ wouldn’t go astray. In this of all years I would reckon erring a little on the side of loyalty of support to anyone wearing the red and black, even if they are falling short in their endeavours, ain’t a bad thing…
Google “it is not the critic who counts”, and have a read.