The Cumberland Throw

The Importance Of Winning – Without Being Captain Obvious

“Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all time thing. You don’t win once in a while, you don’t do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time. Winning is habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.” – Vince Lombardi

How true are these words and how apt are they for our Eels?

In a season which promised so much, and began so positively, the team has rediscovered that losing habit.

Put into perspective, losses will happen in any sport. But the mindset that you have about defeat makes all the difference. The Parra teams of Jack Gibson’s era had such self belief that they regarded a loss as running out of time for the win. Many elite coaches and athletes look for the opportunities to learn or take something from a loss.

But don’t kid yourself. When losing becomes a habit, there’s zero to be gained.

The simple things seem strangely complex. You start to overthink every aspect of your play. In working harder and trying harder the errors seem to mount. You lose faith in the footy instincts that made you a success in the first place. Worse still, you begin to lose trust in the players around you.

The question to be asked is, after four consecutive losses, have the Eels stepped into the minefield of the losing habit?

Unfortunately, I believe that they have.

The cause is relatively simple to define. On the back of poor completions, the Eels dished up two sub-standard performances against theTitans and the Sharks. This spiralled into two matches, which even with improved completions, were completely devoid of confidence and inspiration. Throw in a couple of players totally out of form and the recipe for failure is written.

The evidence of the damage is on display. Whether the players are aware or not, to the fans and surely the opposition, they are showcasing the very things that cause concern.

1. Body language

This leaves much to be desired. Watching from the stands or on the screens, the unity and strength of purpose appears lost. Whether it’s true or not, the perception is that the team are at times snapping at each other, or in moments of adversity, looking frustrated and confused.

2. Playing for each other

This is the most worrying aspect and it manifests in both attack and defence. There are individuals dropping out of plays and we have been made to pay the price. Some are standing and watching or just ambling back after being beaten in defence. Winning teams don’t do that. Players stay alive and make the opposition earn their points. You never know when a poor pass or a stumble might present the chance to prevent a try.

Furthermore, lack of support in our hit ups is making our attack predictable. I’ve lost count of the times that a player has the arm free for an offload, only to find themselves posted on their own or looking at the back of a support runner who’s moved away from the play.

What’s the solution?

In contrast to many, I don’t believe that it’s simply a matter of working harder.

I watch these blokes train and have done so for a number of years. I can assure Eels fans that the team do work hard and are fit. The criticisms about the technical aspects of our play are warranted, but this comes back to executing the very things that they train to do.

If, as I believe, problem lies in both attitude and confidence, what can the coaching do to turn it around?

Team changes? If individuals aren’t performing or meeting KPIs, surely this is a given. Undoubtedly, the form of some players probably warrant a familiarisation with Ringrose Park, but are there viable alternatives?

Business as usual? If you keeping do the same thing, you expect the same results.

An old fashioned honesty session over a few beers? It can’t hurt. Certainly the players need to address their commitment to each other. It typified our 2016 and its seems to have gone missing in action this season.

Whatever path we take, we need to find that win. Some way, some how. Winning makes all the difference. It can end up being the answer to the problem without even realising how it was achieved. It can be both the end result and the means to an end.

It is that important.

Author’s Note

in the scheme of things, as supporters, we view from the outside looking in. Telling coaches what to do is not our right, and some of the criticism on social media has been absurd and childish.

However, respectful criticism and opinion is something that we can express and I’d like to think that we do so on TCT. I’m grateful to our readers who have done similarly.

If part of our criticism is about attitudes or players not supporting each other, then surely fans turning on each other or the club is an example of the glass house habitation. It is not going to facilitate any victories.

My support will continue in the tough times. I know that I’m not on my own in doing that.

Eels forever!

Sixties

 

 

 

 

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41 thoughts on “The Importance Of Winning – Without Being Captain Obvious

    1. Anonymous

      Sorry I pushed the wrong button. I was going to say I’m with you in this sixties, I’m getting a little fed up with the same people constantly criticising the coach and team. If you support a club you stick with them in the good times and the bad. Constructive criticism is ok but some people on social media go overboard.

      1. Colin Hussey

        Anonymous. Sometimes supporters need to be, not so much critical but able to offer fair comment or a critique of where they see the team is going, and that can be healthy.

        Too many just seem to lay the boot in for a lose and when it involved an extended run of them, I for one see such a thing happening now, and likely the coaching staff as a whole may well be looking very deeply into what is going on and how to reverse the problem, some team changes may need to be contemplated as well.

        We have had coaches in the past who have brought in older and likely players not really considered being top liners and made them into first grade players, we have coaches at other clubs do the same, and those like Bellamy, Bennett, Green and Cleary are good current exmaples and in the past Gibson was the master, Fearnley and Monie are two others from the eels. Smith had the capacity to lift the team to be competitive but ever the brides maid though.

        BA is still young and basically inexperienced but, now is getting to the stage where some change of direction may well be needed. Our CEO is top line and while he’s been away from the NRL for a while would no doubt be getting a good feel of things by now so likely he needs to be working with the coaching staff. I personally see a lot more stability at the club ATM, but there is something that must have caused this sudden drop in performance and needs to be found now. Too many good players are not working together as a team.

        Some have suggested the tough training and fitness program is taking the toll, and perhaps replicating a game day experience too frequently through the week may be too much and causing tiredness on the game day. Maybe some lighter training programs in the week with skills etc being set differently. I don’t know but, whatever happens like others I would just like to see some wins on the board.

      2. Glenn

        A true fan always sticks with their team. But when I, and many others, have been following our team for more than 55 years and seen and experienced more lows than highs we become frustrated. And we vent our feelings. Particularly when over the off season we had so much hope for the year ahead and mightily enjoyed the first 2 wins.

        I am confident the boys can turn their form around as the last 3 games have been a spiralling down in team form. Surely we have hit rock bottom. We need some of that pixy dust Mary threw over his Dragon’s team to completely change their attack. A bit of soul searching and honesty by the team is needed not more training. We can only hope this week we bounce back into the winners circle.

        1. Colin Hussey

          Glenn, thats spot on, we have lived through more years near the bottom, than many of todays fans have and no matter how many losses, spoons and the like I have never given up supporting them.

          However in more recent years I have left the ground and turned the box off before the finish as the performances deserved it, in some cases they were worse than in some of old bad losses but, it still wont stop me supporting them until I’m carried off in a horizontal box and burnt.

  1. Colin Hussey

    Sixties, a wonderful and very true post. I did not see the game over the ditch and I think I am glad of that, after watching the display at Wyong on Saturday.

    I just finished a reply over on 1eeyed in regard to the age of players, but more so I mentioned & repeat here C&P from there and said after reading some reports in the various RL media arena’s

    “””A point that came out of media reports and something that seems to too easily deflate the team as whole is that they go well in stages,
    and when they score they lift, but as soon as the opposition scores they drop their heads. Did that happen yesterday?
    if so they seriously lack confidence.
    Likewise what was the behind the goal line reaction, did they just stand there as a whole basically with hands on hips?
    If so they do not have any fire in them, rather some cool embers.”””

    I really do not understand how a team that has players all saying they want to be here and want to play for the coach, to end up playing the way they are. This year they have something to play for, last year they didn’t except for pride and themselves, surely the later should apply for this year?

    The sorrow goes to the point that some of the players who a keys are not performing and seem disinterested, maybe their new & or extended contracts have them in a comfort zone or something, but seriously unless there is a change in the overall attitudes going forward that aspect of forward will be lost very quick.

    Maybe a couple of changes from even a poor Wenty team or even NYC may be a good move just to shake the barrel a bit.

  2. Chris

    That’s a fair call sixties. I think most of the frustration comes for the fans having high expectations after last years progression, not to mention decades of underperformance. The light at the end of the tunnel is dimming at the moment.

    Fans can have a respectful opinions on everything about the team from the coaching to the players performance, selection of the team and type of football played. That is our right as financial contributors to the NRL, but respect is deserved because they are having a go.

  3. Trapped in the 1970's

    I rate your observations Sixties and it is very true that losing can become just as habitual as winning. That lack of confidence or doubt surfaces at times of pressure and a bit of panic or frustration can lead players to ignore the game plan.

    What concerns me is that they as a team, players and coaching staff, don’t seem capable at the moment of rectifying these problems during a game, let alone at training. I know that they can play and I know that they are fit but a month of losses is a long stretch in any season not to see some marked improvement over that period, but they continue to dish up the same errors and take poor or low percentage options.

    I fear that the gamble on a young and inexperienced spine is still too much a work in progress that won’t reap it’s rewards this season. Watching the Sharks yesterday it was obvious how Maloney controlled that last 15 minutes in particular but it wasn’t just down to him as he had experienced players in key positions around him. We don’t have that luxury and whether the other coaches have quickly realised this I don’t know, but it’s not just restricted to that aspect of the eels play.

    That’s why it is so hard to know at this stage whether the first two rounds were uncharacteristic of their ability or whether the last four rounds are a truer indication. They just seem so flat and disinterested that it’s as though they are at the end of a long season with no hope of playing in the finals rather than building on the solid platform that they built last year.

    It was only a couple of weeks ago that I stood next to you as we watched a less than sharp training session which was in start contrast to what I’d observed on other occasions. They seem to be taking their training form into the games and I just hope that they gel soon or it will be a very disappointing season.

    1. Colin Hussey

      Trapped. that paragraph is a real concern to me, and if a spectator can pick that sort of thing up one must wonder why the coaching staff can’t.

      1. Trapped in the 1970's

        The coaching staff were all over it Colin, but it didn’t appear to be a very sharp session. I keep harping on about that Titans game. I thought that was a game that they’d show that they could play and win as favourites, but having lost I expected/hoped for the bounce back straight away to show it was just one of those days. Regrettably we’ve had more of those days since and I’m not saying that there hasn’t been some improvement in certain areas and that they’re not trying, but they need to gel quickly and end this run of losses

        1. Colin Hussey

          Trapped, its those lapses that are too consistent for everyone, its harped on by the coach in the post media gathering yet they continue to do it. Surely if the coaches are seeing that, they should also be able to identify the actual point at which it happens. It has to happen with or within one or two plays, identify the play and player/s having the issues and if it is found to just one or two of them at the start then they need to go back to Wenty.

          Reading some reports even mentions Norman being off as well, a potential captain and one who has captained the side in the absence of others has to show the way. I asked questions in this blog and oh the other site and no one has responded, if the players on field show real complacency or the like such as hands on hips and no getting stuck in to each other when a try is scored then they need a serious look at themselves.

          1. Longfin Eel

            Colin,

            I’m wondering if the issue is mental more than physical. You could imagine someone like Steve Waugh walking into the dressing sheds to give them a lift that they desperately need. They lost a game against the GC that they were widely expected to win, and this has sapped every bit of confidence out of them. They have been here before, and they know this is the path to also-rans. They are very familiar with this and in some strange way it is comforting to be in a place that they know. I’d like to see a sports psychologist address the team – perhaps they would be better placed to find out what the underlying issues really are.

            To have key players standing forlornly with hands on their hips is very discouraging. For the many young players to see their mentors behave this way would do nothing for their exuberance. I hope they players and coaching staff can sort this out very soon, or else we will be too far back to claw anything out of this season.

          2. Colin Hussey

            Longfin, its either mental or the perhaps the running out of puff is something that seems to be seen with the teams, it was the same IMO with Wenty on Saturday, there was a distinct sign of lack of interest during vital parts of the game, when maybe 5 or 6 were trying and the others? don’t know what they were doing, Davis at one or two points seemed to be turning in circles to see where the game was positioned and went to the line, to get in position. Thankfully the Wyong team didn;t capitalise on it.

            Whatever it is has to be seen and known by the coaching staff and they have to get to the players and likely do one on ones with them, its unlikely they will open up in a group.

          3. Glenn

            Colin, I expected someone in the team laying down the law when the Warriors scored. Unfortunately what I noticed was the team milling around looking lost.

          4. sixties Post author

            Colin, I think it’s in Corey’s nature to be a high energy, instinctive player. We all love Gutho, and he is instinctive too. Whilst Moses is still learning his craft, his game does involve being a bit more direct. That point of difference is probably needed.

          5. Colin Hussey

            I believe that thoughtful and fair critical reviews has its place in all aspects of life. After all when we go to purchase any item to use, or to watch a movie or any other item/aspect within our life, do we not try and make the decision to buy or not based on a review of some description or the like?

            Its one thing to make a value assesment that is fair but is also pointing out an area that needs to be looked at from a different perspective than to simply lay into pure criticism without due cause and reason.

            I for one am sad to see the team not winning, and am prepared to say so, also when I think that a player needs to be given some time back in a lower grade but in the end the decision is up to the coach and others who may already be working with said player/s to rectify the issue, they are all professionals and we need to be supportive of them all, in both good and not so good times.

            For me, what I read on TCT is very fair in all departments and by all the contributors, they all do top jobs and I hope there is no change in what they are doing. Well done all of you.

  4. Phil Mann

    Yesterday I saw a committed effort for the most part, I saw a 15 minute lapse in concentration in the second quarter, did that coincide with interchange, maybe. I also saw a very organised Warriors team, unusually organised. I saw an Eels team trying not to panic and playing to the plan, trying to keep the Warriors in their half, minimise their ad-lib game and force an error. To the Warriors credit they offered us very little and when they did we were unable to capitalise. Warriors will be hard for any team if they play like that.

    Yep there is some work to do in eliminating those lapses as well as capitalising on and maintaining pressure. Not about to jump ship….. ever!

    1. Forty20

      I failed to mention it yesterday but the Warriors do deserve plenty of credit for the effort against us. They played their best and most committed 80min of football this season.

      Absolutely agree with your sign-off sentiment, Phil. We may grumble and kick stones around here and then but we are here for the long haul.

      1. Colin Hussey

        Forty, the Warriors are probably the most inconsistent side in the comp, I have read that many commentators/experts who have problems trying to work out whether to pick them as winners, and they say, depends on the side that turns up or similar. Yesterday was always going to be tough as the richy rich was on show.

        Then Newspapers had richies dad calling for eels fans to give him a go, so richy was always going to be at the top of his mark, when their key players like him and Johnson decide to have a good day then the warriors are all but impossible to beat at home. Keeping richy in check was the key and to have BA saying he’s not a factor in the pre game stuff, probably to hide his concern regarding him the instructions should have centered on controlling him.

        I wanted to kick stones on Saturday but didn’t and certainly not walking away from the eels either.

        1. Anonymous

          One thing about you col you never walk away ,well not without giving everyone a good kicking first

          1. Colin Hussey

            Mate, I try to cover what bases I can in be they either positive mode or a kick in the butte. In saying that I much prefer the first mode/option than the last one. Maybe I should shut up a bit more and hibernate for a while or good.

          2. Anonymous

            No need to do either col ,Im just a person that deals in positives and has faith in those in charge , I came over to this site because of its positive nature .im positive that the coaching staff are aware of all things mentioned but it’s a lot harder than people think to get an instant fix , shame you can’t get to training col because a lot of your concerns would be put to rest , everyone’s working hard but in my opinion Corey’s not a 7 so that gives us two 6s and a make shift 9 (de Goiss massive loss ) so that’s half a spine in my books , 2016 cost us peats and junior who were part of the plan so we had to start again , now no degoiss and wicks missed also , I’m afraid we’re still building because the clowns derailed what Arthur is building , there’s been no lack of effort in our performances just poor execution and half a spine and a big bopper or two wouldn’t hurt , 1 win will kickstart it again

          3. Colin Hussey

            Mate I have said the same with a win and what it can do.

            I would love to get to some of the training days and really look forward to the reports and the pics as well. Problem for me in doing that is back issues had two injections today into the lower discs, with another bout of surgery possible, also the house is on the market to be sold and packing is a pain.

            Having seen the reports they really show what looks to be a cohesive and happy team, so all looks good. My only concerns though are 1: that same training show does not appear to be showing on match days.

            2: This is something that has been mentioned elsewhere and something I am in two minds about and that is the level of high level training which those who attend the training and matches may be able to better comment on and something better discussed here.

            The way I see the off season training is to get the players to a certain level of fitness in order to take them forward for the season ahead. The off season has the prospects that mean its easy to drop off in personal training owing to the breaks at the end of previous season and the Christmas break in particular.

            Once the main seasons training starts then its full on to get the match condition aspect ready in each area. The start of the season means the only real area still needed is the actual match conditions themselves, sure the training reports indicate that the players have not help back and some intensity has been there. but they are not playing against real opponents as such.

            We have now reached round 6 and 7 to play next weekend which in my mind I think the players should be match fit by now, along with all things being equal, that same level of high tenacity type training would not really be needed. The suggestion that has come up is that by match day the players are actually having trouble to last the distance and being tired as a result of the ongoing intense training.

            As I say I have not seen enough matches so far and certainly no training days either to offer a comment one way or another for or against. However last Saturdays match for Wenty at Wyong had some of the players, especially those involved in the full time training squad seemingly doing it tough after 20 or so minutes and the mistakes started to creep in.

            I am more than positive and hopping that the teams, all of them, will snap up very quickly and we can go as far as possible this year.

          4. sixties Post author

            Colin, you’d note that I am writing few training reports, though I still attend. That’s because they are preparing for a specific opposition and in ignoring large chunks of their work, I would have little else to write about.
            Opposed sessions during the season are nowhere near the intensity of pre-season. You don’t want to leave your team nursing knocks when you play 2 or 3 days later. They keep fit without overtraining. I try to be honest in my thoughts when I do write, I just choose to keep certain plays under wraps.
            As for what can be done at training, in the scheme of things, I’m a nobody visitor without any coaching credentials. It’s not my place to consider that I should ever tell professionals what they need to do. Don’t think any of us can.

          5. Colin Hussey

            Oops. I replied above to what should have been to the last reply to Rowdy.

            Thanks for the reasons behind the lesser numbers of training reports, & take what you say and good points really.

        2. Forty20

          Certainly Col. The Warriors are the epitome of Jekyll and Hyde. When they turn up to play they can blow any team off the park. They weren’t at their explosive best on Sunday but that was easily their most impressive effort of 2017 to date.

          We Parra fans all know of Foran’s quality as a player, which is all the more reason why it hurt so much to see him spiral into a self-destructive pattern in his brief stint here. He and Norman could have been something truly special together but that ship has sailed – and through no fault of BA and the club. He showed once more how influential he can be on a footy field, to our detriment.

          The prevailing disappointing sentiment can largely be attributed to the expectation and faith that fans had in the team after an incredible 2016 (relative to circumstances) and a competent recruitment drive. Winning is a sovereign remedy to all of the gripes from the wider fan base so the quicker the team can rediscover the intangible aspect that made them so amazing in 2016 the better off we all are.

          1. Colin Hussey

            Mate that’s absolutely spot on. After the drama’s of last year, with the recruitment program showing some good signings the year ahead was looking good, the trials in general as well as the first two wins and strong first 1/4 against the Titans sealed what was a real prospect of a big year ahead. Then the wheels fell off as if they had old rusted spokes and the wobbles created by the rust ——————.

            Seemed everyone was on the ride, and the expectation was high, even seeing gallery shots of the teams training showed what looked like a huge close family enjoying themselves, but was the fun and show hiding something? Whatever that was, it certainly needs to be brought in to the open and dealt with. There are enough quality players of NRL level as well as in most of the ISP team to give the comp a real shake even though we are down now. A win and a quality one at that can do wonders.

  5. Mitchy

    I echo all the sentiments here. Great read Sixties and it’s hard to be a happy fan but we bleed blue n gold. I am over the hate and vitriol form some on the other site, and think we all have a view but bagging some for their view is a joke.
    I see the body language as an issue, and the lapse in defence as something we didn’t have much last season.
    I’m concerned to say the least about our next month. If it doesn’t turn around then we are in for a long season. Cool heads are needed and faith in what we have. We have the team to mix it but the application for 80 mins is vital. Kenny back soon and Peni already back can only help, but we need halves and hooker in form.

  6. Kevin Flynn

    Well said Sixties, can’t agree more. It’s nice to come onto a site that has constructive criticism, but also shows their love and support or our team.
    As we’ve all watched the last few games and felt the pain of each dropped ball, seeing no support runner when a forward is looking around to pass, a missed opportunity when the ball hasn’t been passed, the lack of hunger by certain players.
    We all want to rant and rave and get our frustrations out, but we don’t, we leave that up to the coach and hopefully next week we’ll see a change in attitude.
    I hope that the players can get their mojo back and this weekend we see a win.
    It’s Easter Monday, we play the Tigers so there should be a great crowd and atmosphere. What better environment could there be for our boys to show what they are capable of. Come on Parra! Eel for life….

  7. John Eel

    It will be interesting to see the team announcement tomorrow. Will there be any changes, I am not expecting any but will be interesting nonetheless. Can’t wait forKenny to get back

    We are now 2 and 4 and I know it is early in the season but this is becoming a seriously tough ask to make the semis. Not ready to write them off yet though

    1. Colin Hussey

      John, while we all are looking forward to Kenny’s return, he will be a bit short in match fitness but he’s certainly likely to be picked and will give his all, and hopefully a win next Monday will be a good welcome back mat for him and the others.

      Waiting to see the stats posts as well on the Warriors game.

    2. John Eel

      Colin if he is short of match fitness we may see some extra cramping. I think he brings a lot to our play when he comes in. Is a handful for the defence and does run hard. I agree with you however he will be short of match fitness.

      1. Colin Hussey

        He He! good one john. I think he will make some difference when he returns to the overall team performance, but he will be looking for a breather after 20 minutes tops, he should come on in the first change and go off shortly before 1/2 time back for last 15.

  8. Norm Gunderson

    The most telling moment for me was when we bundled a Warriors player over the sideline right near the Warriors tryline. Last year a play like that would’ve seen ecstatic celebrations and a lift in energy. What I saw yesterday bordered on indifference. Corey Norman usually looks like he is having a ball on the field; right now, he looks disinterested. Despite knowing that finals were not a possibility, it was still thrilling to watch our boys play their guts out last year. I hope BA and the team find a way to rekindle that fire.

  9. Colin Hussey

    Norm that’s an interesting observation and such reaction would have had a great impact with the Warriors as it would have lifted them big time. The opposite could have made a big difference to our players though.

  10. Rowdy

    Unbelievable and quite sad to read the endless repetitive negatives that have crept into this site with detailed analysis of every fault by players and coaches occasionally observed but generally imaginary and perceived by some who would fit better on “that other site” where criticism is the flavour of the day every day. To have nearly all aspects of our teams performance blown out of proportion with harsh criticism and recommendations of action to solve each and every problem or mishap was very difficult for me to read, but I did push through so I would not be writing this post with a lack of engagement. I will attempt to give a perspective that will cobble together much of the other attempts in this blog to put positive spin on the obvious.

    In my opinion, (having watched every minute of every game we have played this year often twice) we as a team are fit, we are trying every week in every game, albeit not for the full 80 minutes. We have played some of the best teams in the competition ie the Sharks and teams we smashed Saints and Manly who have since become world beaters. We have not been out muscled in the forwards, although we have not won the wrestle at the ruck. We are lacking confidence at the moment, but that can change with one victory. We have two 5/8’s with our best one trying to play 1/2. We do have many new personnel at the club who will take time to gel. Our recruitment was brilliant even over on that other site until we lost “ONE” game which was a signal to be critical of every that one could possibly be attacked about every aspect of our team, coaches and players.

    I have one suggestion for our fellow fans………be patient.

    I have another suggestion for those who say they are fans but can’t say anything positive……….Stop it!

    I would also like to say thank you Sixties, another great blog mate. Stimulating to say the least!

    1. John Eel

      Well said Rowdy very good read. I believe that you have captured thoughts of TCT very well. I see it this way, BA has been a good coach since he arrived at the club. Last year he was an exceptional coach and clubman. That sort of ability does not leave you overnight. Also for the first two games the team was outstanding especially against St George who as you pointed out have gone onto bigger and better things.

      We have a good roster and a good coaching group, the team is fit and capable of good football. I like you believe that they will rediscover the key to winning and go on to make the semis. We need to be patient. Having said all of that it must happen sooner rather than later.

    2. sixties Post author

      Rowdy, in our short history as a site, there have been few instances where the Eels efforts could be questioned. In writing some critical analysis this week, Forty and I were both conscious about the response. We both agreed to just offer honest thoughts about the play we were observing. To put our head in the sand would be producing a site without substance.
      We were forced to delete one response (mostly due to language) but on the whole, it’s far better to have an examination of the smallest aspect of play, rather than character assassinations. That sort of stuff will never fly on the site, and thankfully the respondents view it that way.
      Yes we may be guilty of over-analysis, but I’m pleased that the discussions here are about ideas on how we can improve and not simply bagging players out.
      Therein lies the TCT difference.

  11. Rowdy

    Sixties, I had no issue what so ever with your analysis or anything Forty comment had to say. I agree fully with your stated desire to express honest thoughts about the play we are observing even from perspectives that I totally disagree with. I sit in front of the tele and talk to it like most blokes do when engaged with a subject matter that has become personal.

    In my post I was referring to critical observations with absurd suggestions that I took issue with and addressed in my opinions/suggestions that may be seen as constructive or absurd in themselves, but they are my ideas discussed on how we can improve in our capacity as fans.

    All good mate, I didn’t make it personal and certainly not in regard to you and Forty.

    Therein lies another facet of the TCT difference. As another Parra legend, Jeff Fenech was want to say “I loves ewes all”

    1. sixties Post author

      Rowdy, love your contributions mate. It’s the fact that blokes like yourself are respectful of the efforts of the team and of the responses of others that makes you such a valued regular here. Knowing about your history of supporting the Eels makes me prouder to see your comments here. I’m strong in my beliefs about being a supporter too. We stick and encourage and let the boys know via our presence a and voices that we’re behind them.
      As I stated, after this fourth loss on the trot, Forty and I were concerned about ultra passionate responses this week. Our reader numbers have always been very good, but people mostly read without commenting. That’s the nature of a site that’s not a forum. However, our replies this week have been much higher than usual, and although there has been some understandable negativity, we only had one reply that lost control. That says plenty about the people who follow TCT. So many thanks again to you and the others who post here.

  12. Pingback: The Spotlight – The Football Yips (The Psychology of Losing) | The Cumberland Throw

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