We're an easy target and no one would question his assertion because history proves he is right. As a superficial observer, basing your judgement on results and apparent effort alone, of course you would say we have gone backwards but it just shows you his lack of research and biased opinion.
The facts are that we have improved. The reason it feels, especially to 'outsiders', that we haven't is because we raised expectations with our better than expected performance early in the year. The positives from this period is that it was all achieved off the back of youth.
Our list has had yet another major overhaul over the last two seasons. Not only is our squad young, but our team is incredibly inexperienced. We are developing, both individually, structurally and as a team. Players such as Vickery, Martin, Conca, Batchelor, Helbig, Rance and Grimes have developed and improved. Other 'older' players including Nahas, King, Houli, Grigg, Foley, Cotchin and even McGuane have improved their outputs on previous years. All of this points to improvement.
Next year we have more youth to inject into the side and more talent to develop. Any results will be on the back of the current players we have in the side/list. The club is determined to improve and doing every thing we can to develop what we have. The challenge going forward is finding what we don't have.
This year's trading period is crucial to our future. How we fill our current and immediate future needs without harming our overall future with reduced draft opportunities.
All in all though, Carey should go back to rooting his mates wives and leave the analysis to people willing to do some basic research.