Mark Taylor may not be able to pronounce Plasmavision but he would make a very good coach of the national team.
He was an excellent player and as captain, in partnership with coach Bobby Simpson, oversaw the emergence of one of the great teams in history.
More importantly, everyone likes him.
It says something about the level of affection for ‘Tubby’ that while doing a commercial for Fujitsu’s state of the art TV – the Plasmavision – the former Australian captain is heard mumbling: “Plasma ma vision”, or “Plasssvision”, or it may have been “Plasmmmvision”, and yet the company’s representatives and the advertising people didn’t have the heart to pull him up on it.
If Ian Chappell had made a similar blunder all those around would have revelled in the opportunity to take the slightly smug and arrogant former great down a peg or two: “CUT! It’s Plasmavision Ian….Plas ma vision. Got it? Plas ma vision. Let’s try again shall we?”
Shane Warne could also make an excellent coach but he is a divisive personality.
In the fully professional era, his suggestion for resolving differences of opinion within the team is to “wind back the clock” and get p*ssed together”.
Or, if that doesn’t work, to punch each other’s lights out.
When Taylor and Warne were commentating during the uninspired and conservative captaincy of Ricky Ponting, Warne was unashamedly critical.
“You have to play to win”, was a frequent refrain.
He demanded the placement of more attacking fields, whereas Taylor would simply suggest more appropriate strategies without appearing to belittle the besieged captain.
A qualified surveyor, Taylor knows all the angles.
Wasim Akram said he was the most difficult batsman he ever bowled to because he could read the deliveries perfectly.
His analytical ability, pleasant manner and unwillingness to demean other people make him the perfect coach and mentor.
His definite strength would be in the role that is most critical at the present time – but strangely absent from the Argus report; that of conciliator.
I have it on good authority that when a player makes his Test debut (and is not immediately culled) the period of time between his initial gratitude and a sense of entitlement is three months.
It takes just a quarter of a year before the former exuberant newcomer begins arriving late to sponsorship events – or not bothering to turn up at all – whinging about having to attend bat signing sessions and completing written tasks set by the coach.
That is the normal course of events. In Taylor’s time, the whole champion team had enormous egos but the problems caused by them clashing was assuaged by constant victories.
Even if there are pro-Clarke and pro-Watson camps within the team, I don’t think the events of the past few days would have occurred if Taylor had been at the helm.
Unfortunately, I can’t see him becoming coach. Even if Channel 9 lose the broadcasting rights, he makes enough money mispronouncing Plasmavision not to have to worry about dealing with today’s petulant players.
Andrew Sutherland
Roar Guru
Kennedy is a good example of a hard coach Reccymech although I suspect the players were fond of him and his bad dress sense. Allan Jeans was cut from the same cloth: raincoat material!
Reccymech
Roar Rookie
I would like to turn your attentions to John Kennedy - "Don't Think" speech 1975 VFL Grand Final. Considered by some to be up there as one of the all time great coaches. I'll let others decide. If so, I'll give some anecdotal stories of his style: Treated his players rigorously as a collective, hardly ever speaking to them individually, insisting on radical selflessness. He didn't tell players to enjoy the game, nor was he concerned whether his players liked each other. The game was about winning respect as footballers. After a team loss and getting a 'spray' a player chimed in with "They were doing their best." Kennedy replied "my job is to make them better." Just thoughts on a coaching style, whether it's suitable for this day and age I dunno, for me it works.
Luke
Guest
So how many of the people who have said it was easy to captain Warne and McGrath have also defended Arthurs? I am sick of hearing the old Arthurs made SA the No1 team in the world line as a defense for his shit coaching. Did he teach steyn how to bowl? Did he teach Amla how to bat? Arthurs is nothing but a watered down version of Buchanan! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Andrew Sutherland
Roar Guru
Christo, are you sure good leadership and being liked have nothing to do with good coaching? I also said he was a conciliator and had a good analytical mind which definitely are important.
Richard
Guest
I reckon its time to bring Boon in. Sit them all down in front of a pallett of slabs of bear and cartons of cigarettes and tell them to go out and face the fast bowling in the nets and take it on the body if you are in doubt about the delivery. If they complete the task to Boons satisfaction they are allowed to make moral judgments about smoking and drinking in the team
Richard
Guest
He had Ponting in his prime too. Ponting always used to bail the team out batting wise in South Africa when Tubby was captain.
Richard
Guest
Train your guns on James Sutherland!
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
True. You also said he was a good captain and everyone likes him. Neither of which have anything to do with being a good coach.
Praveen
Guest
I like tub
Andrew Sutherland
Roar Guru
I didn't say he was just a great player Christo.
Andrew Sutherland
Roar Guru
Due to Taylor's ads Seano!
Andrew Sutherland
Roar Guru
Reccymech and Andy Roo, I agree that being liked is not enough but Taylor's record as player and captain has earned him respect. I think a coach who is respected and liked would get more out of his players than one who is respected and feared/hated.
Andrew Sutherland
Roar Guru
Sheek, Yes, his promotions haven't gone well. He's currently the face of an investment broker that is under investigation in the US. Although he did pronounce Fujitsu correctly!
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
Gosh I get sick of people claiming that just because person x was a great player they should automatically be placed in positions such as coach and high performance manager (whatever that job actually is!). And as for "everybody likes him"... geez, you seriously wrote that down and submitted it to a public website?
Hansie
Guest
I don't know about Taylor as coach, but his involvement would be welcome. Certainly he'd do a much better job as high performance manager than Howard, though I suspect that role wouldn't be senior enough for Tubby (and wouldn't be worth the pay cut for him).
John
Guest
This is nothing more than a ill-conceived thought-bubble.
James
Guest
Most overrated captain ever. It's bloody easy to captain when you have McGrath and Warne in your side.
Seano
Guest
Fujitsu haven't sold TV's in Australia for 6 or 7 years. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Andy_Roo
Roar Guru
I think it is more important to be respected by everyone than t is to be liked by everyone. On that basis I think Clarke is doing just fine. Not so sure about Arthur but I don't think Taylor is the answer as coach. I would rather see Taylor take on the role of High Performance Manager.
Reccymech
Roar Rookie
Ummm.......not too sure on the quote "More importantly, everyone likes him" Unquote. Is that to be the criteria for all coaching, and lets cast the net further, and Captain appointments - to be liked by all? Not itching for an argument, but, for appointments in those key roles I think I'd like it filled with persons of a 'winning' mindset with the obvious for getting the best out of their playing group. That may require being the 'hardman' and making unpalatable decisions, that's why you've been selected. Being all things to all men will only end in being nothing to no one.