Phantom Gossiper wrote:After realising all the work that had gone in over summer to recruit/retain and build for this season across the various clubs, and looking at how incredibly even the top 4 sides have become this season, looking ahead I'm curious on peoples thoughts about the end result for clubs that fall short when the cricket whites are getting dusted off in September.
If a club doesn't win the premiership this season or gain promotion, what impact will that have on these clubs? After a long and successful season, to fall short would it have a negative impact on clubs or positive(build a steely resolve, determination, focus etc)?
Take Rosewater for example (only because it's been well documented over their quality recruiting), if they fail this season, will they be able to retain their players next season? Mentally what sort of mindset would the playing group and people involved in the club hold approaching pre-season 2015 knowing that for the best part of 2 seasons they have been right at the top of the ladder but havent managed to take that last step? Not only that but knowing how successful you've been over the minor rounds so consistently and the gap from your best compared the worst side e.g. Angle Vale how hard would it be to motivate for another 9 months of total commitment?
On top of that what about the reserves if they win the flag, of course would be great but remaining in the same division next season, how will that impact them? I know personally looking back over the past couple of seasons in 7 and then this year in 6, it can be difficult at times to maintain the energy and motivation when there is such a large gap between the top sides and bottom and a majority of games appear a foregone conclusion before they are played and the margins reflect the lack of competitiveness in the match.
On the flip side, how do the clubs that go up and down respond? Would there be a fear of the unknown? For the side going up whether they can compete, what they lack and need, how much success they will have. For the side going down whether they can rebound and come back up, will they fall into a slump and find themselves down for an extended period of time.
Who would be feeling the pinch the most this August - the players or the football committees?
Anyway just trying to talk something else apart from suspensions and sanctions
Rosewater would build for another crack again, there's still some gems hiding in North Havens C and D Grades they can unearth.