Des has created structure (or framework) to the team and club. That structure has made us a stronger team unit, which has enabled players to identify their role and play within their strengths. He has obviously identified players that fit within that structure and added them into the squad.
That structure has indeed led us to become a good (but ultimately not great) playoff team. But equally, it has also inhibited players from stepping outside the boundaries to play a "natural" game of footy.
Players need room to move within that structure, they also need the tools and obvious talent to do so.
I'd say we are lacking those players in key positions, but i'd also add those players we do have don't have seem to have the confidence, or courage, to create opportunities within that framework.
The reason we were an exciting team some years ago was because of our balance.
To give a couple of examples - We had Barba completely uncontainable, and the likes of James Graham's clever passing game, both playing to their strengths, and both within that structure. It also helped that the structure was potent in it's originality, then gradually became diluted over time when teams realised how to contain the big ball playing forwards. We have also lost Barba - who clearly won us many games on his own, and Graham is simply not the same player (though still very good).
The reason we do not get the grand prize, is because we are predictable. Predictable teams get exposed over 26 rounds. The only way out of that predictability is to have certain talent on your team that is willing to risk, to back themselves, which means they will eventually grow, and perhaps their hidden strengths will be exposed. Right now, we don't have the environment to foster that I don't think. It's obviously a tricky thing to balance across the park, but better that we try than end up stagnant.
