Due to everything that’s happened this season, it’s so easy to play the blame game right now. Blaming the board for their inappropriately timed sacking of Chris Taylor (or really the necessity of it). Blaming players for their poor performances and attitudes. Blaming coaching staff who were thrust into inconvenient situations to begin with. This season hasn’t been ideal for anyone, but at this point in time, the worst thing that can be done is self-destructing. Due to these aforementioned points, as well as bad luck (injuries, suspensions, holidays), South Melbourne has been dealt a pretty unfortunate set of cards.
But what’s worse than having a bad set of cards is taking half of them, ripping them up, and then storming off in a tantrum. We could be facing relegation, yes. We could start 2019 in NPL2, yes. We don’t seem to be changing the way in which we are playing to avoid these things from happening, also true. But we’re at a point where this is it. This is what we have. And everything has some value (even the board), and it needs to be utilised if we want another season in the NPL.
I’m writing this because I feel like their mistakes have led to the board being dehumanised, and while they should, without a doubt, be held accountable for their actions, this demonisation is not healthy or productive. I’m hoping to provide insight and actual solutions for the last leg of this season, and maybe even piecing together parts of the South Melbourne family.
I’ve been following South on and off for over 12 years now (and I’m 20), and I’ve never heard so many “Sack the Board” chants in my life. In fact, the only time I’ve heard them recently has been as a joke (for example, when St. Albans scored their only goal in an 8-1 defeat last year). So to hear it being used seriously is both lacerating and disheartening at the same time. At the end of the day, it really only serves one purpose: to alert higher ups in South Melbourne that the fans are not happy with either a result or the way things are being run. That’s fine, the fans are an integral part of any club, and to be honest it’s hard not to join in when you’re losing to a team that’s last on the ladder (Bulleen earlier this season).
But at the end of the day, we need to remember what seems to have led to this string of poor performances to begin with; sacking leaders at inopportune times. The current SMFC board has been working hard for years, and all our recent accolades are in one way or another thanks to them. Now, I am in no means justifying their actions this season, nor do I think previous achievements negate future (and current) failures. But what I’m saying is that their positions currently should not be put on the line, at least until the end of the season. Remember, even if it appears incredibly stupid, Chris Taylor was let go because the board thought it would help the club. No one puts in the amount of work they have if they didn’t genuinely love this club and the community surrounding it.
Personally, even after going to the members meeting where the issue was discussed in great detail, I don’t think their arguments were strong enough to warrant a new coach.
But I can at least say they were never disingenuous. They genuinely believed what they were doing would be beneficial to the club, flawed or not.
Now if you don’t care about their intentions (which is fair, as its caused so much grief), then at least think about the sake of the club. Right now, there are so many facets of South Melbourne in transitional periods (additions to the roster, new coaching staff). Do we really expect that a new board right now would turn this season around? Just think about what has happened in the last 6 months due to change? Change isn’t all bad, but it can be volatile, and right now the only thing that we need is stability.
As I read more and more comments on more and more posts about South losing, I read so much about players not having any “heart” or only “being in it for the money”. I could not disagree more. Unfortunately, due to the previously mentioned off-field events, it’s harder than ever to be a part of South Melbourne, let alone a player. While there will always be division due to titles, whether you were a board member, player or supporter, in recent years we’ve always felt part of the same family. This year, however, in an attempt to hold people responsible for this season’s failures, there has been a massive “us against them” mentality. The board are no longer part of the South family, they are evil saboteurs. The players are no longer part of the family, they’re now employees only in it for the money.
I could not imagine how it would feel like to be a player right now. Because it’s so easy to criticise, but unless you have played professional football with the stakes as high as they are now, you can’t really understand what’s going on. Surprisingly (sarcasm), cycling through coaches isn’t effective in strengthening morale. Who knew! The head coach doesn’t just order around players; they act as mentors, guiding players along their career. They are meant learn how you play, your strengths, weaknesses, quirks as a person, and both refine your play style and mould it within a team. If your coach doesn’t know you as a player, let alone person, than how are you supposed to thrive? Believe it or not, skill can only get you so far. Some of the best players in the world require discipline and guidance from coaches in order to achieve peak performance. There will obviously be situations where new coaches will come into a club organically, which isn’t bad. The issue is everything is changing at once, which would cause difficulty for any club.
So the coach who knows you inside and out is gone. Players that you had a strategy with, that complemented your play-style nicely are now gone. Injuries, suspensions and holidays have now effected the lineup. You’re playing out of position. You’re lacking a well known strategy. You’re lacking unison. And what makes it even more disheartening is that none of it is due to football, it’s all outside politics.
Do you think players like Brad Norton, Nikola Roganovic, Matt Foschini are playing for the money? If you can’t see how much this club genuinely means to them, then you’re kidding yourself. I’m 100% sure they’re just as frustrated as we are. Right now, they’re going through a difficult period, all of them. And the least we can do, as supporters, is support them. Should they bear some blame for the outcome of these games? Of course!
They weren’t given the ideal circumstances to perform, but at the end of the day the board aren’t lacing up their boots every week. And there’s also nothing wrong with criticising play-style, or acknowledging kinks in their game plan. But as soon as we start criticising them as people, ostracising them from the club, we’re both wrong and providing no valuable contribution to South Melbourne. In fact, who wants to play for a club who’s fans are just as delusional as the board can be?
So what can the club do to save itself? Are we destined for relegation? Not necessarily. Unfortunately, the mistakes the board have made six months ago still affect us to this day. The lack of morale and poor utilisation of talent have lead to an often unthreatening and frustrating play-style. Can we go back to 2017? No. But going back to the card analogy, we still have a hand of cards, that, if used correctly can lead to moderate success (not being relegated). We have good players. Half of them helped us win our accolades over the last couple years. We have what seems to be a decent coaching staff. And believe it or not, we have a board who I assume are working like madmen to fix all the mistakes they’ve made this year. At the end of the day, we’re a team, all of us. And to adopt a another adage, “you’re only as strong as your weakest player”. Identify chinks in our armour and refine them. But always keep moving forward. As soon as we stop running and start pointing fingers, the game is already lost. Everyone right now is panicking, and this frantic air leads to a breakdown in communication, and communication is key to success.
So, a message to my fellow supporters: we can be just as passionate, just as ruthless, just as witty. But at the end of the day, if we don’t think about what we’re saying, and whether or not our actions reflect/support the club, then events like the incident at the Northcote game can occur out of utter frustration. We all care. This may be controversial to say, but Nick Epifano cared. No one acts that way he has if they didn’t care. What’s important is that we use our passion in productive and helpful ways.
To the players and coaching team: This season hasn’t been ideal. The phrase “transitional season” is definitely accurate, but frustrating nonetheless. Just know that you haven’t lost mine, nor many of the supporters love an appreciation. We’ve been doing so well for so long that to drop so low is a shock to the system. But you have to keep pushing forward. Develop as a team, refine your skills. There’s not much I can say in regards to strategy; at the end of the day, you guys are the professionals, and I’m just a fan. Just know that your efforts are not being ignored. Forget about the off-field politics. I guarantee it will try and seep into the game. Just focus on what you love doing, your passion, and success should naturally follow.
To the board: Whether you believe it or not, from a completely unbiased viewpoint, you made a mistake. It could be a mistake that will cost us the season. I could ramble about how you’re out of touch or that you’ve lost the fan’s confidence, but that’s not productive nor important right now. You don’t need me to tell you about your errors, nor do you need me to tell you that you need to try your hardest to rectify your mistakes. What I will say is this; I believe you guys have the ability to instil confidence in both the players and fans, because you’ve done it before. Your role in the club is more important right now than ever. Be as transparent as you can with the fans, hold more meetings, take criticism on the chin, and most importantly, listen! Constructive criticism is not negative, and should not be ignored. Particularly in the situation we’re in. Make sure that all our players feel as welcome, comfortable and safe as they can. Coming into the dressing room blaming players and pointing fingers leads to nothing but resentment and confusion. Show us why we’ve trusted you for so long, You’ve been an asset, and essential part of the South Melbourne family. Remind us why.
I’d like to conclude by statin that an A-league bid means absolutely nothing to the club right now. While it may be important, for future reference, to define what a “short-list” means, for South Melbourne our energy should be expended on improving our current club, not a hypothetical team yet to materialise.
Everyone who is currently part of the South Melbourne family needs to step up. It’s easier than ever to complain, criticise, blame. But that will get us no where. Pull your heads in, and focus on the reason we’re here: football. I’ll be here supporting.
- Luke Patitsas, a fan
(2/7/18)
