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Bulldog Revolution
20-07-2009, 12:00 PM
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/80965/default.aspx

Lyon plays underdog card
By Matt Burgan
9:28 PM Sun 19 July, 2009

ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon says "there is no doubt" the Western Bulldogs will start favourites against the Saints in next Saturday's clash at Docklands.

Although his side is on top of the table and undefeated, Lyon believes the Saints will be on the back foot and physically disadvantaged against the third-placed Bulldogs because of a short turnaround.

"We've got a short break. They played Friday and we played the last game of the round," Lyon said following St Kilda's 57-point win over Adelaide at Docklands on Sunday.

"Me sitting here objectively, it's going to be a big ask. How are our legs going to be?

"We're going to be under real pressure in the running stakes, because they're as strong a running team in the competition as there is."

Lyon watched the Bulldogs defeat Essendon on Friday night at Docklands, and although he was impressed by both teams, he said next week's opponent would be tough to overcome.

"They're a top four team – they're third on the ladder – so clearly they do a lot right," he said.

He also believes the Dogs have made subtle changes to their playing style.

"They're certainly doing some things differently – defensively they're a lot stronger, so they're an incredibly big challenge next Saturday night," Lyon said.

Lyon admitted post-match that the clash with the Crows, who came into the contest with seven straight wins, concerned him after the Saints followed their gripping round 14 win over Geelong with a taxing trip to the west last weekend against a competitive West Coast Eagles outfit.

"I thought the Geelong game was really for tough players and tough teams … and then to fly to Subiaco was a big ask, on a big ground and against a team that was quite physical and had been tackling quite strongly," he said.

"We don't see ourselves as a 22-0 team; it'd be nice, as we aim to win, but at some point, you think: 'Are our legs going to keep moving as quickly as they have been, and are they going to keep giving that effort?'”

Lyon was impressed with the way his team continued to win the contested ball against the Crows, who faded after a promising start.

"We really worked hard on our ball use and our ability to score against that team defence,” he said.

“We scored really efficiently and quickly, and we would've scored a lot more, to be frank, but we took our foot off the pedal in the last quarter."

Bulldog Revolution
20-07-2009, 12:01 PM
Is he just trying it on?

Or giving them an excuse to lose?

Should St Kilda just have the courage to admit they are the premiership favourite and defend the target on their backs weekly?

ledge
20-07-2009, 12:06 PM
Serious spin doctoring going on there, think its a motivational tool for his own players more than anything.

aker39
20-07-2009, 12:11 PM
Has has spun a lot of crap all year.

Doesn't seem to be hurting them though.

BornInDroopSt'54
20-07-2009, 12:11 PM
Is he just trying it on?

Or giving them an excuse to lose?

Should St Kilda just have the courage to admit they are the premiership favourite and defend the target on their backs weekly?

If the old adage that football and most sports are played mainly in the head is true then being the coach and hence head shrink of the best performed team in the comp would mean you're a good spin doctor. He is rightfully setting the attitude of his players:
'Don't believe your own press. If you give anything less than your best you can be beaten. Your best comes from rising to meet higher standards'.

AndrewP6
20-07-2009, 01:09 PM
He's full of it...

Topdog
20-07-2009, 01:19 PM
Saints have been underdogs in 3 of the last 4 weeks. Geelong, Adelaide and now us have all "been in better form" than the lowly Saints.

bornadog
20-07-2009, 01:29 PM
Saints have been underdogs in 3 of the last 4 weeks. Geelong, Adelaide and now us have all "been in better form" than the lowly Saints.

Yep, Lyon trying to get his players not too far ahead of themselves.

1eyedog
20-07-2009, 01:43 PM
It is just so obvious and translucent that he is taking the pressure off his players and heralding an early excuse for a loss. just cop it on the chin mate. A team who has not lost a game all year underdogs! have a look at the current odds!

Remi Moses
20-07-2009, 02:32 PM
What aload of dogs bollocks. Dear Ross we had two 6 day breaks recently in a row!Just a way of taking the pressure of his players. :rolleyes:

Remi Moses
20-07-2009, 02:34 PM
Saints have been underdogs in 3 of the last 4 weeks. Geelong, Adelaide and now us have all "been in better form" than the lowly Saints.

another case of motivating his players with bullshit stats. Memo Ross you're on top :eek:

comrade
20-07-2009, 02:56 PM
IMO, Lyon needs to grow a set and back his team who are currently sitting at 16-0, rather than spout that sort of rubbish in the belief that it’ll keep his team grounded.

You’ll hear all the Saints players regurgitating it during the week at every presser, you wait. Hopefully there are some journo’s out there who will call them on it.

If I was Rocket, I’d be using Lyon’s spin and telling our boys that he’s literally taking the piss out of us by thinking anyone would actually believe he honestly thinks that the Saints are underdogs.

The Pie Man
20-07-2009, 05:18 PM
IMO, Lyon needs to grow a set and back his team who are currently sitting at 16-0, rather than spout that sort of rubbish in the belief that it’ll keep his team grounded.

You’ll hear all the Saints players regurgitating it during the week at every presser, you wait. Hopefully there are some journo’s out there who will call them on it.

If I was Rocket, I’d be using Lyon’s spin and telling our boys that he’s literally taking the piss out of us by thinking anyone would actually believe he honestly thinks that the Saints are underdogs.

Despite seeing some logic in the 6 day compared to 8 break, I love this post and agree 100% :)

Topdog
20-07-2009, 05:42 PM
Despite seeing some logic in the 6 day compared to 8 break, I love this post and agree 100% :)

Look there certainly is logic to it but he has claimed the underdog status in 3 of the past 4 weeks and even said something about being worried by West Coast cos the game was in Perth.

LostDoggy
20-07-2009, 05:59 PM
Serious spin doctoring going on there, think its a motivational tool for his own players more than anything.

Does seem a little "out there" but as you say, it is doing the job on his players! I guess it's a fine line between making sure your players are confident without getting big heads and getting too far ahead of themselves! :rolleyes:

The Pie Man
20-07-2009, 08:05 PM
Look there certainly is logic to it but he has claimed the underdog status in 3 of the past 4 weeks and even said something about being worried by West Coast cos the game was in Perth.

Yes he certainly needs to get his hand off it

alwaysadog
20-07-2009, 09:31 PM
It is just so obvious and translucent that he is taking the pressure off his players and heralding an early excuse for a loss. just cop it on the chin mate. A team who has not lost a game all year underdogs! have a look at the current odds!

Great post; magnificent use of language and vocabulary. The football writer's gods will have all nodded approvingly.

alwaysadog
20-07-2009, 09:32 PM
Yes he certainly needs to get his hand off it

Where else does he have to put it?

LostDoggy
20-07-2009, 09:56 PM
Where else does he have to put it?

He can use it to pull the other one.

alwaysadog
20-07-2009, 10:17 PM
He can use it to pull the other one.

Anatomically speaking he only has the one.

The trouble is that he also only appears to have the one strategy and a new one would be a welcome relief. Even his players must see through such blatantly false claims, but when you're winning why worry about such insignificant matters