How can Essendon possibly beat Carlton asks Paul Roos

THE most telling insight into the Essendon saga was given by the parent "Sarah'', who gave us a first-hand look at what the players are going through.

Essendon Bombers

THE Essendon saga escalated to another level this week. The most telling insight was given by player parent "Sarah'', who gave us a first-hand look at what the players are going through.

After hearing what she had to say, it seems trivial talking about a football match when so much is happening that is affecting so many lives.

But the reality is the Bombers have to take on the Blues on Saturday night at the MCG.

Hird stands firm as talks continue

How can they win with so much controversy going on around them?

Interestingly, even Tim Watson this week for the first time questioned whether James Hird could do his job effectively, asking whether he should stand aside as he takes on the AFL.

As a former St Kilda coach, Tim would understand the energy needed on a weekly basis to prepare your team.

A coach's week starts by dissecting the previous game. This must be extremely difficult for Essendon's coaching staff because it would be hard to gauge to what degree the players are suffering mentally, or how much the on-field performance can be put down to more practical issues.

James would normally set the week up for players and coaches. But how much is he able to focus on team preparation as opposed to AFL matters?

Is he empowering "Bomber'' Thompson to take the reins for the week?

The coaches need to decide on Monday the key areas of focus to come out of the weekend's game.

I suspect most of the discussion would centre on getting the players mentally prepared to play.

All the technical stuff has been drummed into them from early in the pre-season so they know exactly what to do.

This is borne out by their early-season results.

However, at the moment , the players appear not to have the energy to execute.

Once that decision is made, what vision will be shown to the players? This must be done by James, as he is still the leader and must be seen at the key meetings delivering the message.

For the next couple of days, James can probably take a back seat and let the assistants take charge of their respective groups.

Each assistant will watch Carlton's previous game and develop strategies to combat the Blues' strengths and exploit their weaknesses.

Tuesday and Wednesday will be very busy for the lieutenants, probably more so at Essendon than any other club.

I suspect it is these two days when James is busy with lawyers and advisers.

If he can restrict his focus on the AFL issue to those two days, it is possible for him to coach.

Most coaches will have non-football related issues to deal with on a weekly basis.

If you are confident in your staff , they have the ability and expertise to prepare the team well.

The midfield coach will be all over the stoppages and match-ups. The forwards coach will be looking at who to exploit and how to take the rebound away.

The backs coach will look at finalising match-ups, who to double team and how to get his dangerous runners free.

The great unknown is still the players and exactly how each and every one of them is feeling.

There would be many hours of discussion involving all levels of the club.

The sports psychologist would play a huge role advising the coaches.

How long should meetings go for? How many should we have? Do we maintain our normal routine or do we change it?

How long and how often should we train? Should we give the players extra time off?

Based on what we have seen in the past four games , the players simply cannot compete and, in the circumstances, who could blame them?

For the Bombers to have any chance of winning tonight, the players' every need would have had to have been met during the week.

Each individual would need to be treated as such.

Some will have wanted time off ; some will have wanted to train harder. Some will have wanted counselling and some will want to be left alone.

It couldn't be a collective approach, which is the norm at a football club. The one-in, all-in mentality will not work.

There is only one area that will dictate the result tonight: the mind.

Can the Bombers win? I simply don't know and I suspect no one does.

But I did tip the Blues in the Herald Sun.