How does Nielsen escape scrutiny for Aussies' woes?

I'm beginning to catch on William. Put one of the players in charge, and providing he plays reasonably well, there's not much we can do about it. Just chop away at the other players. See what you mean.

because the captain runs the team? the captain has always run the team and always will. most coaches of international teams were never that good when they played anyway, as in they weren't great test players. each player in the test team has their own mentors who give them advice...if they need it. you cant expect the team to win without warne and mcgrath. like alot of people, you have just taken them for granted and you think they can be replaced. they cant, and we will never be as good as we once were,because warne will never be replaced,and another mcgrath wont come along for a while. if they changed the coach, it wouldnt make any difference

Maybe that's why we are so bad Matt?

The coach does nothing, except keep the team happy. Do you think Nielson is telling Ponting how to bat? Do you think Buchanan was teaching Warnie how to bowl? Anyone could have coached Australia when we had Warne, McGrath,Gilchrist, the Waugh twins, Martyn and the team still would have won as many games as they did. The captain runs the team.

Be patient William. Eventually these trees will move away from the forrest and apply their expertise to the question you (and Peta) have put.

Yeah I think you're right Dasilva..and that's what I'd say about Buchanan. Warne hated his methods, but he appreciated the results and knew how committed he was to achieving success. Paul Roos adopted a 'no dickheads' policy at the Swans..(although some would argue Barry Hall changed this) where no one player was bigger than anyone else in the team, which is why they had a rotation policy with captains.

Benjamin Conkey I think players hate the coach isn't necessarily doing their jobs. Pietersen hated Moores Sydney FC players hated Terry butcher You can't really call them really successful coach I think respect between players and coach is essential. The players don't have to like the coach to be successful but all successful coaches all commanded respect from the players (ala Guus hiddink. Schwarzer wasn't a huge fan of him but he respected his authority). Once you have senior players saying this coach knows nothing or is rubbish then the coach is doomed to failure.

I think if players hate their coach it means he or she is doing their job. From what I've read a lot of the players absoloutely hated John Buchanan because of his unusual methods. He made players read books like 'The Art of War' and encouraged them to read poetry to the group. Apparantly this allowed him to coach players individually because he understood them from a personally view and not just as cricketers. Then there was the ruthless Bob Simpson who, together with Allan Border got Australia back to the top through sheer hard work. Tim Nielson seems to be rather tame compared to former coaches. Maybe the problem is the players like him too much?

Thanks for that Clarky. I didn't know who the cricket coach was. William has a point then. Why in cricket does the coach not appear on TV immediately after a test match. If it's good enough for the national anthem to be played, it must be good enough for the phantom coach to turn up and take the responsibility. Lets not get into who should have been selected. Thats yesterday's debate. The issue here is about opening up old corridors of old boys past media protection policy...

William - it is interesting that Tim Nielsen is having his contract extended whilst Australia displays poor tactics, capability and effort on the field. I'm currently reading Gilly's autobiography and it was obvious that John Buchanan, and to a lesser extent Geoff Marsh, were more heavily involved in the team dynamic than perhaps Nielsen is. He understands the game we're told, but does he understand how to get the most from his players? Whilst he's been in the box seat, we've lost great players to retirement but we've also had the Symonds meltdown, Clarke lose form, Punter have tactical wobbles, and a team that doesn't play like a team. Perhaps choosing Nielsen over Tom Moody wasn't such a good idea after all. Can we still get Moody to take over??