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'Unacceptable, embarrassing': Swans go soul searching
'Unacceptable, embarrassing': Swans go soul searching

The Advertiser

time2 hours ago

  • Sport
  • The Advertiser

'Unacceptable, embarrassing': Swans go soul searching

Sydney are set to receive some harsh home truths led by Dean Cox after an "embarrassing" 90-point loss to Adelaide left the coach questioning whether he's been doing enough at the helm. The Swans were looking to bounce back from a dismal 53-point loss to Melbourne and mark 20 years since their historic 2005 premiership when they hosted the Crows at the SCG on Saturday. Instead, they endured a horror show. Kept to one goal in the opening half, Sydney conceded 12-straight majors on the way to a 21.5 (131) to 5.11 (41) loss. Sydney's finals chances are slim, sitting in 14th (4-8) at the halfway mark. Slamming the performance as "unacceptable and embarrassing", Cox cut a frustrated figure in his post-match assessment. A reminder of the team-first ethos that netted the club's first premiership in 72 years, given at half-time with a lap of honour by the 2005 side, only compounded their woes. "I didn't expect that on such a massive night for the footy club, when you have a 20-year reunion for a team that played desperate, uncompromising, ruthless football," Cox said. "That was far from it." West Coast great Cox is no stranger to Sydney's Bloods ethos, with the six-time All-Australian ruck's last-gasp kick famously marked by Leo Barry in the final seconds of the low-scoring 2005 grand final. But the first-year coach conceded he was left questioning if he had done enough. "Yeah, maybe not," Cox said. "That's where you've got to reflect on everything within the program, and it starts with me. "We are going to fight our way through this. "And there's going to be no easy way through it. I said to them (the players), expect some tough sessions. That'll happen." The statistics sheet will suggest an even contest between the two sides, with Sydney winning clearances (+13), stoppage clearances (+13) and contested possessions (+11). But Sydney crumbled under Adelaide's pressure, making uncharacteristic errors and giving away costly penalties with moments of ill-discipline. "The impact that they (Adelaide) had with their contested ball was far superior than ours," Cox said. "We'd fumble, get it to the next one, we might take it, then we'd handball or cough it up, then we'd go again. "Whereas they were just a one-two punch, 'See you later, we're out of here'. "Part of it comes to confidence when you are inconsistent, but the number one thing that brings consistency is, you spend time on your game. "You know exactly when you finish the week and you start, I'm confident in my ability because I've done the work - that's the only way you build confidence. "That's something that I've certainly got to drive harder and I'm going to." Sydney will face 16th-placed Richmond before they head into their mid-season bye, while third-placed Adelaide play Brisbane. Sydney are set to receive some harsh home truths led by Dean Cox after an "embarrassing" 90-point loss to Adelaide left the coach questioning whether he's been doing enough at the helm. The Swans were looking to bounce back from a dismal 53-point loss to Melbourne and mark 20 years since their historic 2005 premiership when they hosted the Crows at the SCG on Saturday. Instead, they endured a horror show. Kept to one goal in the opening half, Sydney conceded 12-straight majors on the way to a 21.5 (131) to 5.11 (41) loss. Sydney's finals chances are slim, sitting in 14th (4-8) at the halfway mark. Slamming the performance as "unacceptable and embarrassing", Cox cut a frustrated figure in his post-match assessment. A reminder of the team-first ethos that netted the club's first premiership in 72 years, given at half-time with a lap of honour by the 2005 side, only compounded their woes. "I didn't expect that on such a massive night for the footy club, when you have a 20-year reunion for a team that played desperate, uncompromising, ruthless football," Cox said. "That was far from it." West Coast great Cox is no stranger to Sydney's Bloods ethos, with the six-time All-Australian ruck's last-gasp kick famously marked by Leo Barry in the final seconds of the low-scoring 2005 grand final. But the first-year coach conceded he was left questioning if he had done enough. "Yeah, maybe not," Cox said. "That's where you've got to reflect on everything within the program, and it starts with me. "We are going to fight our way through this. "And there's going to be no easy way through it. I said to them (the players), expect some tough sessions. That'll happen." The statistics sheet will suggest an even contest between the two sides, with Sydney winning clearances (+13), stoppage clearances (+13) and contested possessions (+11). But Sydney crumbled under Adelaide's pressure, making uncharacteristic errors and giving away costly penalties with moments of ill-discipline. "The impact that they (Adelaide) had with their contested ball was far superior than ours," Cox said. "We'd fumble, get it to the next one, we might take it, then we'd handball or cough it up, then we'd go again. "Whereas they were just a one-two punch, 'See you later, we're out of here'. "Part of it comes to confidence when you are inconsistent, but the number one thing that brings consistency is, you spend time on your game. "You know exactly when you finish the week and you start, I'm confident in my ability because I've done the work - that's the only way you build confidence. "That's something that I've certainly got to drive harder and I'm going to." Sydney will face 16th-placed Richmond before they head into their mid-season bye, while third-placed Adelaide play Brisbane. Sydney are set to receive some harsh home truths led by Dean Cox after an "embarrassing" 90-point loss to Adelaide left the coach questioning whether he's been doing enough at the helm. The Swans were looking to bounce back from a dismal 53-point loss to Melbourne and mark 20 years since their historic 2005 premiership when they hosted the Crows at the SCG on Saturday. Instead, they endured a horror show. Kept to one goal in the opening half, Sydney conceded 12-straight majors on the way to a 21.5 (131) to 5.11 (41) loss. Sydney's finals chances are slim, sitting in 14th (4-8) at the halfway mark. Slamming the performance as "unacceptable and embarrassing", Cox cut a frustrated figure in his post-match assessment. A reminder of the team-first ethos that netted the club's first premiership in 72 years, given at half-time with a lap of honour by the 2005 side, only compounded their woes. "I didn't expect that on such a massive night for the footy club, when you have a 20-year reunion for a team that played desperate, uncompromising, ruthless football," Cox said. "That was far from it." West Coast great Cox is no stranger to Sydney's Bloods ethos, with the six-time All-Australian ruck's last-gasp kick famously marked by Leo Barry in the final seconds of the low-scoring 2005 grand final. But the first-year coach conceded he was left questioning if he had done enough. "Yeah, maybe not," Cox said. "That's where you've got to reflect on everything within the program, and it starts with me. "We are going to fight our way through this. "And there's going to be no easy way through it. I said to them (the players), expect some tough sessions. That'll happen." The statistics sheet will suggest an even contest between the two sides, with Sydney winning clearances (+13), stoppage clearances (+13) and contested possessions (+11). But Sydney crumbled under Adelaide's pressure, making uncharacteristic errors and giving away costly penalties with moments of ill-discipline. "The impact that they (Adelaide) had with their contested ball was far superior than ours," Cox said. "We'd fumble, get it to the next one, we might take it, then we'd handball or cough it up, then we'd go again. "Whereas they were just a one-two punch, 'See you later, we're out of here'. "Part of it comes to confidence when you are inconsistent, but the number one thing that brings consistency is, you spend time on your game. "You know exactly when you finish the week and you start, I'm confident in my ability because I've done the work - that's the only way you build confidence. "That's something that I've certainly got to drive harder and I'm going to." Sydney will face 16th-placed Richmond before they head into their mid-season bye, while third-placed Adelaide play Brisbane.

'Unacceptable, embarrassing': Swans go soul searching
'Unacceptable, embarrassing': Swans go soul searching

West Australian

time3 hours ago

  • Sport
  • West Australian

'Unacceptable, embarrassing': Swans go soul searching

Sydney are set to receive some harsh home truths led by Dean Cox after an "embarrassing" 90-point loss to Adelaide left the coach questioning whether he's been doing enough at the helm. The Swans were looking to bounce back from a dismal 53-point loss to Melbourne and mark 20 years since their historic 2005 premiership when they hosted the Crows at the SCG on Saturday. Instead, they endured a horror show. Kept to one goal in the opening half, Sydney conceded 12-straight majors on the way to a 21.5 (131) to 5.11 (41) loss. Sydney's finals chances are slim, sitting in 14th (4-8) at the halfway mark. Slamming the performance as "unacceptable and embarrassing", Cox cut a frustrated figure in his post-match assessment. A reminder of the team-first ethos that netted the club's first premiership in 72 years, given at half-time with a lap of honour by the 2005 side, only compounded their woes. "I didn't expect that on such a massive night for the footy club, when you have a 20-year reunion for a team that played desperate, uncompromising, ruthless football," Cox said. "That was far from it." West Coast great Cox is no stranger to Sydney's Bloods ethos, with the six-time All-Australian ruck's last-gasp kick famously marked by Leo Barry in the final seconds of the low-scoring 2005 grand final. But the first-year coach conceded he was left questioning if he had done enough. "Yeah, maybe not," Cox said. "That's where you've got to reflect on everything within the program, and it starts with me. "We are going to fight our way through this. "And there's going to be no easy way through it. I said to them (the players), expect some tough sessions. That'll happen." The statistics sheet will suggest an even contest between the two sides, with Sydney winning clearances (+13), stoppage clearances (+13) and contested possessions (+11). But Sydney crumbled under Adelaide's pressure, making uncharacteristic errors and giving away costly penalties with moments of ill-discipline. "The impact that they (Adelaide) had with their contested ball was far superior than ours," Cox said. "We'd fumble, get it to the next one, we might take it, then we'd handball or cough it up, then we'd go again. "Whereas they were just a one-two punch, 'See you later, we're out of here'. "Part of it comes to confidence when you are inconsistent, but the number one thing that brings consistency is, you spend time on your game. "You know exactly when you finish the week and you start, I'm confident in my ability because I've done the work - that's the only way you build confidence. "That's something that I've certainly got to drive harder and I'm going to." Sydney will face 16th-placed Richmond before they head into their mid-season bye, while third-placed Adelaide play Brisbane.

'Unacceptable, embarrassing': Swans go soul searching
'Unacceptable, embarrassing': Swans go soul searching

Perth Now

time3 hours ago

  • Sport
  • Perth Now

'Unacceptable, embarrassing': Swans go soul searching

Sydney are set to receive some harsh home truths led by Dean Cox after an "embarrassing" 90-point loss to Adelaide left the coach questioning whether he's been doing enough at the helm. The Swans were looking to bounce back from a dismal 53-point loss to Melbourne and mark 20 years since their historic 2005 premiership when they hosted the Crows at the SCG on Saturday. Instead, they endured a horror show. Kept to one goal in the opening half, Sydney conceded 12-straight majors on the way to a 21.5 (131) to 5.11 (41) loss. Sydney's finals chances are slim, sitting in 14th (4-8) at the halfway mark. Slamming the performance as "unacceptable and embarrassing", Cox cut a frustrated figure in his post-match assessment. A reminder of the team-first ethos that netted the club's first premiership in 72 years, given at half-time with a lap of honour by the 2005 side, only compounded their woes. "I didn't expect that on such a massive night for the footy club, when you have a 20-year reunion for a team that played desperate, uncompromising, ruthless football," Cox said. "That was far from it." West Coast great Cox is no stranger to Sydney's Bloods ethos, with the six-time All-Australian ruck's last-gasp kick famously marked by Leo Barry in the final seconds of the low-scoring 2005 grand final. But the first-year coach conceded he was left questioning if he had done enough. "Yeah, maybe not," Cox said. "That's where you've got to reflect on everything within the program, and it starts with me. "We are going to fight our way through this. "And there's going to be no easy way through it. I said to them (the players), expect some tough sessions. That'll happen." The statistics sheet will suggest an even contest between the two sides, with Sydney winning clearances (+13), stoppage clearances (+13) and contested possessions (+11). But Sydney crumbled under Adelaide's pressure, making uncharacteristic errors and giving away costly penalties with moments of ill-discipline. "The impact that they (Adelaide) had with their contested ball was far superior than ours," Cox said. "We'd fumble, get it to the next one, we might take it, then we'd handball or cough it up, then we'd go again. "Whereas they were just a one-two punch, 'See you later, we're out of here'. "Part of it comes to confidence when you are inconsistent, but the number one thing that brings consistency is, you spend time on your game. "You know exactly when you finish the week and you start, I'm confident in my ability because I've done the work - that's the only way you build confidence. "That's something that I've certainly got to drive harder and I'm going to." Sydney will face 16th-placed Richmond before they head into their mid-season bye, while third-placed Adelaide play Brisbane.

Champions League final Q&A with Michael Cox and James Horncastle: Where will PSG-Inter be won and lost?
Champions League final Q&A with Michael Cox and James Horncastle: Where will PSG-Inter be won and lost?

New York Times

timea day ago

  • Entertainment
  • New York Times

Champions League final Q&A with Michael Cox and James Horncastle: Where will PSG-Inter be won and lost?

Earlier today, The Athletic's tactics writer Michael Cox and Italian football correspondent James Horncastle answered your questions on Saturday's Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter. From where they think the battle to be crowned European champions will be won and lost to Inter playing in their yellow third kit, these are some of their favourite questions — and their answers. Charlie S. asked: 'What are your predictions for Saturday's final?' Cox: Paris Saint-Germain should dominate possession but I'm going to go 2-1 to Inter. I think Federico Dimarco flying into the space vacated by Achraf Hakimi could be crucial, and I'm also not sure if PSG will cope against a strike duo — Lautaro Martinez getting space on the outside of Marquinhos could be dangerous. Advertisement Horncastle: Inter know Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from his Napoli days. Hakimi is their former team-mate at San Siro. Though how much of an advantage this constitutes remains to be seen. Pundits continue to point out Inter's age as a reason for them to fade but they scored late to win in Munich against Bayern (in the quarter-finals) and I shouldn't need to remind you of 37-year-old Francesco Acerbi's goal to force extra time against Barcelona (in the semis) — 3-2, Inter. Nat C. asked: 'How could this define (Inter coach Simone) Inzaghi's future? Is a win or a loss more likely to see him move on? Is there any chance of a link-up between an underappreciated manager (Inzaghi) and an underappreciated club (Tottenham)?!' Horncastle: I mean no disrespect to Tottenham, but I feel Inzaghi is a tier above them now. Fabio Paratici's friendship with him would have helped their cause. Other top jobs in England aren't available at the moment. The same can be said of Spain. I think he stays. Girmachew K. asked: 'Will PSG's counter-movement cause Inter's centre-backs to be conservative and not follow players deep?' Cox: Good question. I expect Acerbi will try to stick quite tightly to Ousmane Dembele, whose movement towards the ball has unlocked both Liverpool and Arsenal already in this competition's knockout rounds. They always seem quite comfortable with that, with the other four defenders tightening their positions. I also think a key is how much Inter's defenders move forward up the pitch when they have possession. Those rotations are such a key feature of their game. I could be wrong, but I don't think they'll rein it in. Will R. asked: 'Will Benjamin Pavard play, and how will it help Inter defensively if so?' Cox: James may have more concrete info, but it seems both Pavard and (fellow Inter defender) Yann Bisseck are doubtful. Having no inside knowledge, I'd put money on Pavard starting. I think he's good enough that it's probably worth the risk, especially in the five-subs era (Atletico Madrid starting a 10-per-cent-fit Diego Costa in the 2014 final turned out disastrously, but there's probably not that danger this time). Advertisement I must say I prefer him over Bisseck, who has quality but does seem to switch off a bit. Horncastle: Pavard has an extraordinary record in the Champions League. He has won a staggering percentage of his games. That said, he was also the player who allowed Atletico back into the tie in last year's round-of-16 defeat. Chris S. asked: 'How have Inter made themselves competitive in Europe despite having a lower budget and a significantly more aged squad than many of their rivals? I can't quantify this but they feel like a more traditional throwback to Inter's 1990s team with twin strikers, and I feel many clubs just don't know how to combat this dual threat with modern tactics.' Horncastle: It comes down to the winning mentality instilled by Antonio Conte (when he was Inter coach from 2019-21), the culture within the club established by their president Beppe Marotta (same foundations as Juventus), Italy's ability to produce and export the very best coaches, an Italian core who understand what it means to play for and represent Inter, and some smart recruitment. Paul S. asked: 'Is it a coin-toss over their clashing kits or a more intricate process? (And why yellow for Inter?)' Cox: Usually it's decided by a draw for the semis, where we get to see whether it's semi-finalist one versus semi-finalist two or semi-finalist two versus semi-finalist one in the final. But the draw(s) were confusing this time around, so I can't remember it happening. It presumably happened when they did the draw for the whole bracket at the beginning? I agree that yellow seems an odd choice. I quite like Inter in white. Anonymous U. asked: 'Are there any players from Serie A this season that you think would've taken this Inter side to the next level, and maybe even allowed them to pip Napoli to the title?' Horncastle: I think Inter are/were fine as they are/were. They came up short, IMHO, because they tried to win every competition — unlike Napoli, who tried to win one. Much of the criticism throughout the season related to Inter's squad depth, even though that came good in the Champions League's quarter-finals and semi-finals. Mehdi Taremi, for instance, has — for the most part — not been what Romelu Lukaku was, or Edin Dzeko, when they got to the competition's final two years ago. Lawrence S. asked: 'I've really enjoyed PSG's full-backs this season. Rather than the slightly boring Pep Guardiola-style inverted full-backs, where there is so much focus on control, they are far more attacking and seem to have a lot of freedom. But given how impressive Denzel Dumfries has been for Inter in the Champions League this year, do you think Nuno Mendes will rein it in at all in the final?' Cox: I completely agree with this. They've been excellent. My feeling here is that Mendes might stay a little deeper, not necessarily to rein it in — but because he might then invite Dumfries up to press, and that will give Kvaratskhelia more one-on-one situations against one of Pavard (not 100 per cent fit), Bisseck (not 100 per cent fit and also error-prone), Stefen de Vrij (slow) or Matteo Darmian (OK, he's fine, but it's still a one-on-one situation he wouldn't relish). Advertisement I also think the situation on the opposite flank is interesting. Hakimi ends up in such central, attacking positions and can vacate his zone quite a lot, and while Dumfries has had a great Champions League campaign, I actually think the timing of Dimarco's runs is even better, and he could be the game's key player. Tommaso B. asked: 'Hi, James. Win or lose, how much do you think there will be evolution or revolution at Inter this summer? Can see Inzaghi moving on and several older players leaving.' Horncastle: Hi, Tommaso. Your answer is partly in my piece today. New ownership means the club are on a sounder financial footing and can invest in infrastructure. That means upgrading training facilities and empowering youth development. As Marotta says in that article, the objective this summer is to rejuvenate the squad while maintaining competitiveness. Nick G. asked: With PSG arriving at this final (somewhat) early in the Luis Enrique project, how much of a must-win does this final represent for their owners at QSI (Qatar Sports Investments)? On the other hand, with the age profile of Inzaghi's side, do Inter feel this is 'the' moment to win for this group? Cox: I completely agree with the second part here. This Inter side do feel — as Italian teams who reach this stage of the Champions League often do — quite elderly and maybe in need of reinforcements if they're to stay at this level. The fact they could take Hakimi from them (in 2021) shows, I think, that PSG are clearly ahead of Inter in the grand scheme of things, even if the current vibe is that they don't need big signings. There's always speculation about players such as Nicolo Barella, and even Inzaghi himself, moving on. Personally, I think Inter need to take this opportunity. I'd back PSG to be back at this stage over the next couple of years whereas, to me, it feels like Inter are constantly punching above their weight. In fairness, I thought this about Diego Simeone's Atletico a decade ago and they're still consistently in-and-around the competition's latter stages. Although they really did need to win one of those two finals in 2014 and 2016, looking back, so maybe the same is true for Inter now (after losing to Manchester City in 2023). (Top photos of Dembele, left, and Lautaro: Getty Images)

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