Frustrated Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks admits his winless facet is missing confidence however is not about to concede the Crows’ AFL finals hopes are already over.
History is in opposition to Adelaide after a horror 0-4 begin, the dropping streak prolonged by a ten.18 (78) to eight.15 (63) residence defeat to Melbourne within the Gather Round opener on Thursday evening.
Only one staff has recovered from that place to play finals below the top-eight system – Sydney in 2017.
Now in his fifth season on the helm, Nicks is but to guide the Crows to a finals look however was broadly anticipated to take action this 12 months after an 11-win marketing campaign in 2023.
Adelaide face one other powerful project after they journey to tackle Carlton subsequent week.
“We’ll never give up,” Nicks mentioned after the loss to Melbourne.
“I know they can perform at a level higher than we are now. I’m confident that we’re going to find our way through this.
“Tonight was a small step in a sure space. We’ve nonetheless received a hell of quite a lot of work to do however I’m assured within the group.”
Nicks noticed “glimpses” of the team he wants Adelaide to be against Melbourne but conceded too many Crows players are still performing below their best.
“What we did have proper was a system that we hadn’t seen within the first three rounds,” Nicks mentioned.
“We received an space of our recreation again to the place it was final 12 months however sadly that uncovered a few of our execution, and our ball use in the intervening time seems to be so clunky.
“That can come off a little bit of a lack of confidence with where the group sits and a bit of pressure that you’re under.”
Nicks made 5 modifications to his staff to tackle Melbourne – two of them compelled by accidents – and forecast extra within the close to future.
“We’ve got to look at our team from a selection point of view and get guys in that are going to be able to play the way we play,” he mentioned.
“At the moment it’s hard for us. We’re working our way through it.
“We’ve received the gamers there that may do it. We’ve proven it. We’re not too dissimilar to the place we have been final 12 months from a listing perspective.
“Unfortunately, we’ve got a few that just aren’t at their best.”
Nicks signed a two-year contract extension final month and is ready for any warmth that comes his means whereas the Crows are struggling on-field.
“That’s understandable, that’s performance, and we’re here to perform,” he mentioned.
“I go to work the same way I talked about our players getting confidence.
“We put our heads down throughout the week and we work via what wants to enhance.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
