Interesting topic. Anon you make a good point if we lose all those games (+ lose to NZ at home) and are therefore 2 wins 7 losses then there would be some pressure put on management I think. However, it would depend on a few things. If in those games we were competitive and could have easily won them (depending on how u look at it) then he might be safe. Also if he can come up with believable reasons to why we lost and which is accepted by the public and management then he should be safe. Lets hope we don't get that record. I think we should be looking at winning 3 out of 4 of those games.

I don't see how this season looks anything like last season. We have 4 new starting 5 players. We have a team with spirit and passion losing a couple of close games on the road that we should perhaps in retrospect have held on to. Even in the poor performance against the Tigers, we showed that we can improve.

Last year we lost to the mediocre Hawks by over 30. We showed no spirit or effort levels. There is just no comparison to be made yet. Even it this team does poorly, it is a much better base team to improve on next year. Ballinger is a keeper as is Davidson. I don't think you know what you are on about.

One difference, Smyth doesn't have a son in the team.

Sorry a case of the tongue is quicker than the head, I meant Hemmerling doesn't have a son in the team.

If you look to the AFL this year youwill notice that the coach getting sacked did nothing to the performance of the team....OHH maybe IVE ben write all along and players getting paids this much cant have their performances blamed on the coach.

Hell people were calling for Mark Thompsons head last season, now he suddenly is the best coach in the league, but admits hes done nothing differently

Apparently 1-1 is enough.

The 36ers are where I expected them to be at this point in the season. They were never going to beat Melbourne, and challenged Perth and NZ who I expected to be on a similar level. While I would've expected stronger wins against the Hawks and Dragons, you can be forgiving early in the season.

That said, I expect a win in Townsville tonight, but if the Crocs smell fear, it could be dangerous.

One of the challenges for Adelaide is, in my opinion, not letting a string of road losses pull them down - the last thing they need is to have teams like the Pigs, Crocs, Blaze, Slingers and Hawks start pencilling in games at the Dome as good chances.

As has been said, I wouldn't judge the performance of the team and coach entirely on the win-loss record - they're 2-3, but two losses have been admirable and one was against a team who are a tier above us (IMO).

this loss tonight could start to force Mal's hand i think. I dont think this team is much better than last years, better individuals but as a team still not able to get it done.
Every coach has a used by date and think Phil is well expired.
Mid season coaching change may be the only thing tht will keep disgruntled fans around for the following year...sad situation for a once dominant club!

As always, i come back to the question...

Who would you put in Phils place?

Dont let the 10 years in one place put you off (Sheeds did 25+ at the bombers, Fergie has done god knows how long at Man U).

If there is a better coach out there, then lets start talking, but in my opinion there isnt a lot to chose from, still think Ninnis should be number 1 assistant with the aim to him taking the rains (if he does well)in the next 6-18 months.

from the little ive seen this year, Phill is still doing the same things he always has which has brought us success in the past, was everyone spitting then?

there was a quote made about insanity and doing the same thing expecting different results...if what he has done has brought us championships..then..keep doing it..just maybe itll bring us a championship?

that said...if we are 2-7...dont sack him, just elevate Scott to Assistant let them complete the year and see the transition through.

Ninny won't work with Smyth again. No point really, been there done that and has nothing to learn from Smyth. Bring in Stacker and have Scott assist.

me, I think the argument against the "same same" is that the game has changed.

Also, how do you propose that Mal judge Ninnis' performance as an assistant, even if Ninnis were interested in the gig?