“Inconsistent. That’s where we fit – middle of the road with the competition…..We take a couple of steps forward then we take a big step backwards.”
With these words, Parramatta coach Brad Arthur succinctly summarised the Eels 2017 season to this point. As supporters, we cannot predict the type of performance that our team will deliver on the paddock. In contrast, supporters of teams that feature at the top of the NRL ladder have no such issues. For that reason, the search for consistency is the subject of the spotlight this week.
A couple of years back, Peter Sterling was asked for his opinion on then Eels halfback, Chris Sandow. In short, he said that the difference between Sandow’s best game and his worst game was far too great. It must be said that the same is also true of the 2017 Eels team.
The Eels, at their best, are capable of matching the best teams in the competition. At their worst, the blue and golds can be blown off the park. Such a gulf between performances should not exist in any team which considers itself to be a contender in the competition. The problem for the Parramatta side is that this disparity has been exposed more than once in a season which has only just reached its mid-point.
Brad Arthur calls for greater consistency from his team.
Before looking into the root of the problem, we should consider some empirical evidence with regard to performances.
The Sharks, as the reigning premiers, are a good place to start. In 2016 they lost only 7 matches and finished the regular rounds in 3rd place. Their worst performance came in the final round via a 26 to 6 score line against grand final opponents, the Storm, in Melbourne. That match was the culmination of a patch of average form which followed a 15 match winning streak. That string of victories cemented their place in the top 4 and ultimately gave them a shot at the title which they took full advantage of.
Fast forward to this year, and the Sharks currently sit in 3rd place with four losses. Their worst performance was a 26 to 18 loss to the Broncos in round 1. Let me repeat – an eight point loss is their worst result this year.
If we turn the focus to current pace-setters and last year’s runners up, the Storm, we see a similar pattern emerge. In 2016 Melbourne finished as minor premiers, losing only 5 matches. Their worst result was a 22 to 8 defeat at the hands of the Raiders. That three tries to one loss against the team which finished the regular season in second place was as bad as it got for the Storm last year.
Moving into 2017, Melbourne currently sit at the top of the table with only two losses. Their worst result this year was an 11 to 2 loss to the Sharks.
Of course, the final score isn’t always indicative of a strong performance. It’s not unusual for teams to be below their best yet still find a way to win. “Winning ugly” is something that successful teams are able to tap into. The minimal difference between their best and worst games makes that possible. Likewise, a team can perform well yet still suffer a defeat, though such losses are often narrow ones.
We don’t have to look too far into the past to find an example of the Eels finding greater consistency. Just last year, in spite of the off-field dramas and losing so many players through the cap issues and injury, the Eels won enough games to qualify for finals football. Further, their worst performance was a 38 to 16 loss to the Broncos. However, to give some perspective, the team that took the field that day was missing players such asTakairangi, Radradra, Norman and Scott – and that’s without mentioning the loss of Foran, Peats and Paulo from their original 2016 roster.
The question then becomes, if the Eels were able to find greater consistency in 2016, what is causing the blow outs and sub-standard performances this year? Even during the losses last season, there was the sense that the team was in the contest. In some of the losses of 2017, the Eels just don’t seem to be competitive.
Nathan Brown firing up against the Cowboys.
Apart from the likes of Gordon, Wicks and De Gois, the team is relatively unchanged, and indeed on paper it’s arguably stronger than the line ups which took the field during the second half of last year. The coaching and preparation is just as professional and, from my observations, a step up from each of the previous years.
In the end, it comes down to a key word – attitude.
Were Brad Arthur or his staff to read this, I doubt that this would be any sort of revelation. Winning matches in the NRL is not an easy task, and it helps to have a strong, skilful roster. But you can make that task easier by consistently turning up with the right attitude.
As supporters, we’ve witnessed this difference in attitude across different matches, and it can have little to do with the opposition. Consider the round 3 match against the Titans. Their team was weakened by injury and an early rush of points indicated another victory for the Eels. It’s history now that a flood of errors from the Eels allowed the Titans to overrun them.
In contrast to this, we had the win against the odds over the Warriors. Injuries before and during the game couldn’t stop an Eels team that battled hard and successfully for the vital premiership points.
The Eels reached deep in that win over the Warriors.
Again, Brad Arthur summed it up well by saying that his team needed to be prepared to get into the grind. It’s not a matter of skill or talent. It’s having the attitude that you are prepared to do whatever it takes to stay in the match. It means maintaining the discipline when the bounce of the ball or the decisions don’t go your way. It means being patient and trusting the process when the opposition matches your efforts. It means making the other team earn every metre on that field. It means not letting frustration or defeat enter your mindset even when a loss seems inevitable.
Maybe, just maybe, the Parramatta Eels thought that the hard part was last year. There’s no denying that they emerged from 2016 with enhanced reputations from a season like no other. But the real fight is always the match you’re in right now. Without finding that willingness to battle for the now, the tomorrow becomes that much harder.
We’ve had glimpses of the right attitude this year. It’s time to play like finals contenders and find that consistency.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Nothing to argue about there sixties. Attitude is everything, and the eels seem to provide it for around 20 minutes or so a game but have a real reversal of that for the same period of time, why? is the question and defies in many respect logic.
Is there a brain mechanism that switches off whether in front or behind? that causes a relaxation that overtakes all, or maybe a large number of the team? Is it a case of them trying and hanging in for the first quarter only to find themselves behind no matter their efforts and get a negative feeling that they cannot win? Too many questions and no answers.
As you say, in most respects the top squad really is on paper at least the equal of last years squad, but in certain respects stronger, but its not working. Maybe we need a nut in the forwards like John Baker of years past who had no hesitation in smacking the ear of one of his own to get them not just motivated but angry. Making an AA side would be nice, attitude and anger, not wanting to lose.
In truth, I’ve wondered if they’ve had too many moments of frustration. Have their own expectations of success formed the basis of frustration when things haven’t gone their way during matches. I say this because there was little expectation for them to succeed during the dramas of 2016, and though they competed incredibly well, we’re they able to do so without that pressure of expectation. I don’t have an answer, but hopefully the coaches and players can find it.
60’s brad & the fans n club n team are looking for consistency.
My question to you is can we find it in time for the finals.
My reason for asking is with so much good outside backs in ISP. Once everyone is available we’re do we put them all mainly the backs more so the forwards.
1. French / gutherson / Hoffman
2. Radradra
3. Avau’a / Jennings / Hoffman
4. Takarangi / gutherson
5. Hoffman / French
6. Norman / gutherson
7. Moses / Norman
With all these players available at the same time can brad afford to chop n change b4 the semi’s to get them in form or should he settle on a stick n pick formular. Cheers. Go Eels.
Eels win 26 dragons 14.
Rev, I think we might get a glimpse of that thinking this week. With Jennings listed on an extended bench, might we see further re-shuffling? If I as to give my opinion, in the short term I’d play Gutho at fullback and Bev on the wing. We need that competitive drive that Gutho provides and in my opinion, we need it closer to the action. I reckon it will be a challenging week for the coaching team.
Will be interesting indeed if Jennings is available. The rev has 7 backs, in a shuffled deck, Jennings on the bench makes 8, one is to miss out, unless the bench has a change with Smith dropping off for Jennings, meaning the most obvious is Auva’a or Taka drops to the bench, Jennings to left centre. My thought would be Taka to bench, as he would not be a winger but be a strong one to compliment the right side.
If Kaysa needs a spell, then the experiment happens with Gutho to 9 for a stint, would like to see that as Brown is wasted there, or Kenny two heads.
Interesting W/E
I noticed a push for Gutho to the 9 elsewhere. No, just no.
I am not advocating Gutho to the 9 position all the time. I have however seen him go to dummy half and play well, the best play was against Souths or Warriors that sealed the game for use (forget which one now).
My thinking in this respect is that the coach is wanting 4 main forwards on the bench rather than a utility, to achieve that and with the prospect of say Auva’a or Taka going to the bench, to fit MJ into next weeks game, we likely will lose one of those players to Wenty and keep Smith on the bench, by having Gutho fit in at dummy half for a short time, but also share say with Kenny two heads it can give Kaysa the 10/15 minutes he needs off the paddock, to me I would make the change at the 30 minute mark and again bring him back 10 after half time, total of 30 minutes all up refresh.
It would also mean that we lose the defensive efforts of Kaysa but those filling in are capable enough anyway with both Kenny and Gutho providing some extra attacking options.
I do like that 30 minute refresh idea – pending how the match is progressing.
I like gutherson at fullback also 60’s his height is a big plus standing at 190 cm or 6’3 inches. His weight is a little more then French also.
There’s 1 thing that sets guth out from frenchy is when he receives kicks on the opposition’s last he attacks the line. When you watch French he seems to pass to semi instead of using his speed to get around the outside.
Is this because his playing injured n lacking confidence ?
Last year he had the skill & speed to beat his opposite number. Personally I’d give him a stint back in Wenty.
This will be my team once everyone is back. Feel free to agree or disagree.
1. Gutherson ( confident under the high ball & attacks the line )
2. Semi ( we know what he can do with ball in hand )
3. Jennings ( class just class defence n attack )
4. Avau’a ( solid with GF experience )
5. Hoffman ( starting to look the goods in attack ) b4 injury set in.
6. Norman ( future SOO player but needs to be consistent )
7. Moses ( still young n raw will need to fix his (D) in a hurry. )
8. Vave ( needs match fitness )
9. K. Pritchard ( young n willing ) will get better with age. Line a good fine wine.
10. Mannah ( brings experience )
11. Mau ( small in size but has got good aggression )
12. Moeroa ( good size but still young n raw )
13. Brown ( aggressive player who has developed a passing game )
14. Scott ( very experienced player n top notch defender big game player )
15. Matagi ( nuggty tough prop good energy from the bench )
16. Edwards ( tough & skilful player just needs to cut the silly stuff from his game )
17. Smith ( back up to K.P n I think is getting better with every game )
18th takarangi (. Everywhere man plays anywhere from centre to 5/8 to lock or back row his got a good set of skills for a big man )
G’day Rev, I like your side for the most part with a few changes though.
Forwards: I would have another big fella on the bench, Peni or big Frank when they’re fit or Alvaro between now and then. I don’t think we can afford to carry another little bloke on the bench with both Moses and French in the team. When we come up against the gun teams they all have massive fire power in the middle where these guys can get rag dolled a bit.
Backs: I think Bevan French on the right wing gives him a chance to get back to what he did last year and that is to “sniff out a try” without the added pressure of playing like a 90kg physically mature grown man in one of the most demanding positions on the footy field. Bevan’s courage and toughness is unquestioned as is Mitchell Moses as I believe they have both shown this year.
Interchange: Taka could well be an ace in the hole for us in the short term at least. If he becomes the 4th big man on our bench his versatility gives BA a heap of options as he covers the whole backline and back row. The other interseting option is to rest Kaysa for 10-15 mins, by rotating one of our halves into dummy half (probably Mitchell where he can use his kicking game and line speed to take on the line when he spots a lazy defender at the ruck) and bring Gutho up from fullback into the halves dropping Bevan to the back for a short spell. Taka to center/wing.
I know it’s a bit of a radical way to look at positional changes, but it would also leave Mitch less exposed for that period to big bodies coming at him when he is directing our rightside attack. He could use his long kicking game more effectively as Cam Smith does out of dummy half and all chasers are onside.
Hi rowdy.
As you have notice I don’t have French in my side.
As for bringing in a another little guy …. I say we should sorely for the reason you have stateded about Moses shifting into dummy half to give KP a break for 15/20 minutes. But in doing that you shift gutherson to 5/8 n shift Hoffman to full back n takarangi into centre.
Rowdy I was also thinking with wil smith you can put him on at 5/8 so there for you don’t move gutherson or Hoffman. Either way it’s gota be a win / win for brad Arthur.
I like the idea of Moses at dummy half he has good speed n vision with a good kicking game …just very poor (D)
That is a radical set of moves Rowdy and the rationale behind them makes complete sense. However, countering that would be the reluctance of the coaches to make a raft of changes to accommodate a rest for Kaysa.
Yeah good point Sixties. I did think it was a bridge too far myself regarding the that number of changes, but it was the only way I could fit a rotation that lost nothing in the execution and perhaps created another dimension to utilize the talents available in this squad.
My thinking ATM after reading what the Rev, sixties and Rowdy has said, is lose Smith from the bench and Taka to it, Leaving French at 1 MJ to left Centre, Guth right centre. Auva’a on right wing.
At the same time I suggested to rest Kaysa, Taka comes on also Kenny with him and Gutho sharing Kaysa’s spot, more especially with Gutho when scrums are formed Kaysa usually goes to lock that would open the way for Gutho to be more active around the scrum base with Moses.
While Smith has done a good job, the need for bigger players on the bench and more seasoned/experienced ones it provides the rest that Kaysa needs while keeping a quality known replacement and little disruption, each of them including Taka has played 5/8, lock and centre so he adds to the team and to me very much an essential part of it.
It has been reported by Chief over on the other site that Guth will go to FB and French to wing. Make of that what you will.
Thanks for the detailed response Rev. I do like your summation of Taka. If he’s not in the starting line up, that versatlity comes in handy on the bench.
No worries 60’s n correct on takarangi.
I too am perplexed as to why last years “inferior” team could be so much more consistently successful to this year “superior” model. 4 years under BA, most settled year on & off field, good example from last year performance wise to follow – yet Parra just drops out of games like a faulty light globe flickering on and off – when it’s on ITS SO BRIGHT AND HOT and when it’s off stone cold and dark as night. What the hell?
The Titans game really worried me the most because there were no excuses only poor play. At least v roosters we had injury, poor play, a red hot team and no possession – similar against the Cowboys. But it’s this off switch that is most concerning.
I’ll venture a theory; the team has far too many mentally underdeveloped/immature/lazy players — I’ll go so far as to say that Guths will never switch off mid game, nor would Beau, Manu, Brownie, Alvaro, Jenko or IDG. But I am absolutely convinced on the other side of the coin that Bev, Semi, Taka, Normz, Moses, Kaysa, Mannah, Vave, Matagi, Edwards are all capable of and often do lose their concentration mid match. They drift, shut off and slip into cruise control .
Think about the Sharks or Storm; could you name 5 of their players prone to concentration lapses on the regular basis? Doubt it.
Here’s our problem; Norman is still immature, Mannah is lazy and Bev and others lack some experience. Things go against the team and instead of getting going when it gets tough these guys switch off. Maybe that’s because they are used to losing or playing in under performing teams but when the penalties are 5-1 against you and possession is 65-35 the same way you need your captain, your halfback, the fullback and hooker talking it up, loving the big moments – not wishing they were elsewhere or just trying to wait for it to end. This is where the thurstons, smiths, gallons, cronks, slaters & co stand up. Where we fall down.
I don’t like being critical of the playing group either so my apologies if some feel it’s a bit harsh. But they have to face the hard truth – games are hard to win and mental preparation is just as important as being physically ready. Dealing with adversity is like respect, you have to earn that ability you don’t get it by having a league last name or lots of games under the belt – it’s a mind set.
So if Parramatta wants consistency of performance – win or lose – we need to look hard in the mirror and admit the mental fragility exists and deal with it swiftly as possible. How though….? Well that’s something someone smarter than I am perhaps could address…
A very interesting and confronting reply Sam. Thanks for taking the time to do add it. When BA has commented on the team competing for 60 or 70 minutes, or having periods where we ease off, it’s probably referring to the very thing you are. I would argue about Mannah being lazy, as we are certainly a stronger defensive unit during his minutes on the field. I believe that Corey Norman has acknowledged that he was below his best against the Cowboys and the reality is that we cannot afford for our marquee players to have “rocks” games like that.
I think the key lies around the spine. When you look at the experience last year that the Sharks and the Storm had in those positions, it’s little wonder that they stayed focussed. I wrote about this in a previous “Spotlight” post. The Sharks have a couple of more youthful inclusions in their spine this year, and they are doing very well because they now carry not just NRL experience, but premiership success throughout the team.
Parra have a youthful spine and it’s one that will mature into a successful one. The key is for others to step up every week.
Without offering excuses, and having only seen some short clips of the game, I am still of the belief with Mannah that he is carrying an injury and to his left shoulder, and watching his runs these days, compared to early this and last year when he was more impacting, he always led into the defensive line with his upper body angled to the left, meaning the top of his arm/shoulder took the brunt of the tackles. He came out of a tackle earlier in the year and stayed down and came away holding that area, something that sticks in my mind.
This year we also have lost Scott for some time with injury. Kenny two heads for suspension, Wicks released, Terep injured, even IDG who I doubt may play again. The backs have been disrupted also through injuries, along with the youthfulness of the spine and seemingly constant changes there, has not bee a joy to behold over all, and we still have injuries affecting the team.
With a full squad, on paper, it looks a superior side to last year, but no pressure from injury hit Wenty side that’s also going??? also doesn’t help much. But one has to play with what cards are dealt out of the deck, and for mine and has been said by others along with myself is the AA rating, Attitude and Aggression, and maybe add Anger to it to make a triple A rating. As I watch the team get penalised for things the other mob gets away with, then if I was playing it would make me angry, but the eels seem to walk away, with a shake of their heads and a couple of muttered words.
Attitude combined with controlled Anger at whats going on should lift a person making their Anger show in their Aggression but, it has to be controlled and therefore legal.
Only other thing though is that there is the need for the same team to run on to the paddock week after week so they build combinations and confidence with each other, and each player knows and performs in their respective roles.
Glad you mentioned anger Col. I think if you review Danny Alvaro’s work lately, it’s like he’s taken some angry pills. And doesn’t he look better for it!
Maybe the best thing then sixties is for Danny to get a packet of them and hand to the other players. OR, make the anger contagious somehow.
Yeah I agree ultimately Timmy isn’t lazy either – what I should have said is Tim Mannah He relaxes, or isn’t as diligent and driven as He could/should be – perhaps lacks ‘killer instinct’ if you will. Not lazy.
Yes the spine is important and ours is young and inexperienced so there s alot of the issue. But no one could criticize Gutho for his efforts and He is vastly less experienced and arguably less able than Corey – whereas Corey could easily draw some criticism for both game management and attitude.
Its the Mannah and Norman types we need to stand up and lead from the front!
Thx for replying to my reply and this great site!!!
Sam, it’s people that take the time to make thoughtful, detailed responses that make TCT so much better. It’s not unusual for replies to raise alternative viewpoints that are very well founded.
It seems that a number of commentators here seem to think our backs are the problem and constant changing the backline will solve the problem. It won’t.
The problem is the forward pack being dominated, and dominated early. When that happens, everything else goes out the back door as quickly as foran did.
I am finding the like of Matagi and Vave so inconsistent from week to week, and minute to minute. Matagi more so, when he is running hard and on top he seems to find another gear, but when he is dominated from the get-go, he goes missing and doesnt appear to do anything to bring some hard running back. It is becoming evident to me and most others why they were fringe first graders everywhere else.
Alvaro and Mannah are triers and go all day, but they dont have any impact in defence. Yes, they tackle all day, but there is no mongrel and aggression in them which other packs have. Every team needs these kind of guys in the pack, those who clean up and cart it up but can afford both of them at the moment when some aggression and hard running is required.
From the 2016 team, we are missing Wicks and Terepo the most. Peni has developed very well over the last couple of years from when he had major issues catching and holding on to the ball. Both of these guys consistently hit the line hard in attack and generated excellent line speed in defence. Their replacements do not do that often enough.
Is it possible to clone Manu and Brown – we need more like them.
2017 is not over yet but it will soon be if those areas are not addressed.
Billy, I totally agree with your comments regarding Wicks and Terepo and I would also add IDG. They added so much to our forward strength and we could do with it again right now. May I also say that the other big issue here is the lack of experience in the spine. Ours would be the least experienced spine in the NRL. I posted here last week in regard to the lack of experience and I stand by my comments that this team will hit their straps in 2019 and beyond.
We are not the only team battling inconsistency due to lack of experience. The Panthers are in the same boat. They purchased Merrin and Tamou to go with Wallace to help that situation. BA tried to do something similar with Whatmough, Scott and Foran however it did not quite work out for him apart from Scott.
Hi billy. The reason why I think we get dominateded is because we only have 2 forwards over 180cm n it’s tepai moeroa & Vave There our only tall forwards the rest are just stocky like mannah , matagi n mua n brown. That is the reason behind getting Kane Evans his over 190 cm n weighs in at 110 plus kilo’s
the rev, you are 100% correct in one sense, but its not just the physical size – its also the size of the fight.
Whats the old saying – its not the size of the dog that counts, its the size of the fight in the dog that counts.
I think that applies to a number of the guys in the pack atm – they dont fight as hard or as often as they probably should imho.
I guess it would be a bit difficult to get up and fight back when you start the game getting dominated, but i would like to see a bit more fight from them to regain some of the ground.
Trying to slow the oppositions play the ball down when you are getting dominated, leads to giving away dumb penalties and this has been a curse when the chips are down.
I think what happens there is that the refs see the ploy and work to get rid of it, thus we give away the penalty.
The team that is on the back foot, is generally the one penalised regularly, but if you have the ascendancy, i believe the refs subconciously dont look at it as hard as they would otherwise do…thats just a theory.
Seriously, Beau and Manu play the same each and every week, run hard, tackle hard and never give up – whereas the likes of Matagi and Vave dont have that same level of mongrel each time they play.
Hopefully Sunday will be different.
We are missing Peni big time, so I’m glad that you mentioned him. I had the opportunity to have a long chat with him at training yesterday and his rehab is progressing well. I can assure you that he’s champing at the bit to get back on the field. Blokes like Peni and Frank Pritchard offer not just larger builds, but different body shapes and running styles. They bend the line and are difficult to wrap up. We need that.
As for our forwards on Saturday night, I believed that they didn’t get to use the ball as much as they should have. During the match, I tweeted that we needed to earn the shift to the backs. We were shifting to the left far too early and it wasn’t until the final quarter of the game that the forwards used the ball through the centre.
Damn, I wish I could have got to training yesterday as I would have liked to have met Peni. I’m a fan of how hard he runs the ball back,but its more down to some of his one on one hits that bring a smile to my dial.
I just don’t know what it is this year with the team. Last year there seemed a pattern of play that the whole team had bought into and the results indicated that with few score blowouts and a greater overall consistency. This year you just never know what you’re going to get from week to week.
Look at a team like the storm. They rest Cronk for an away game against the sharks and still win against strong opposition They stayed in the grind (as BA pointed out the other night how parra didn’t) because all the players know their role and have confidence in their role and that of their team mates. Our guys seem to struggle to keep it together for a single set going by some of the last play options and either make poor choices or low percentage plays as they go into panic mode trying to haul in a score. Injuries haven’t been kind and some of the refs decisions shocking but that’s been a trend for some years.
Fundamentally with a few exceptions we haven’t had enough punch in the forwards from our front rowers. We get dominated in the ruck as a result and its history from there. They need to click as unit very very soon or 2017 will go down as another disappointing year.
It couldn’t of been said any better. 100%.
I hope the team can find the consistency they desperately need.
Go The Mighty Eels.
Thanks Jim. Glad to have you visiting here regularly.
Sixties what a superb and confronting post, it has certainly put a cat amongst the pigeons though. The frustration associated with following an inconsistent footy team for me is twofold.
Firstly, I wonder which one is going to turn up this week?
Secondly, If we played so well last week/last month, why would we not be able to do it next week?
The reality IMO, is that this is still a developing footy team. What has been said many times in defence of this club is
2014 a great first season for BA and the team he inherited.
2015 we lose our best player with no notice and therefore no opportunity to replace him. Add your own “other reasons”
2016 under the greatest pressure imaginable we scored enough wins to make the top 8.
2017 well, isn’t that what we are talking about, here and now.
If anyone has forgotten the injury toll to so many of our top line NRL players or the fact that through all of that we are 7 and 7!
Thanks sixties for giving us the chance to discuss, dismay, delight, despair, vent, deceive or delight again.
This is truly a wonderful site.
Well said Rowdy! I have covered our history under BA in a previous post and your reply sums it up well here. I’m still confident about making the finals, but finding that consistency is part of making winning a habit ( something that I’ve also written about in the past).
Thanks for the praise mate. What we are proudest of is the way that people, like yourself reply with both thought and respect. Criticism, when levelled, is about the play and not personal. It’s genuine supporter stuff. So thanks again to everyone for that.
Just another observation from the Cowboys game is that Thurston only had to make 6 tackles and did not miss a single tackle. That tells me that there was not enough traffic sent his way
Hi John we sent plenty of traffic his way only problem was they had bigger body’s in front of him n stopping our players targeting him in defence.
Problem is we are not a finals team yet. We have beaten 1 team in the top 8 the dragons in week 2 unless you want to count a terribly under strength cowboys team.
At what point do we start to not accepting mediocrity
Very wrong offside Eel! Beaten Dragon, Manly, Panthers, Cowboys. All sit in the top 8. Haven’t played the Storm, Broncos. Therefore, the only top 8 teams to beat us are Sharks, Roosters and Cowboys (one win, one loss). Doesn’t that mean we’ve beaten more teams in the top 8 than we’ve lost to?
I meant teams in the 8 when we beat them panthers were down the bottom at the time my point i was trying to mske is we are currently not good enough to match it with the best.
Iam one of those fools who have had the audacity to question BA witch i know is a sin on this site, but i don’t think he will be the coach to take us further then where we are i hope im wrong i like BA ive met him several times but i think if we continue to be inconsistent then he needs to be held accountable.
Good summation of how we should emulate Cowboys protection of a small playmaker rev aka. I’m sure BA is aware it, but adapting our current defensive structure to accommodate Mitchell Moses is a work in progress. With Gavin Cooper outside and either of O’Neil or Linnet who are both big bodies inside and big robust wingers who read well in defence it still took them until 2015 to get it right, in terms of real success.
We have the positive benefit of having one of the youngest spine in the NRL so from where I sit BA has the makings of the type of footy he wants us playing happening more often than not. Mitchell does not lack courage in defence and certainly not in attack as he showed last week charging into the Cowboys ruck with “gay abandon” (just thought I’d throw in my LGBTQ?? concession).
Sometimes we are so close that we can’t see the forest for the trees.
I do not have a problem with our young spine other than to say that people need to be patient with them and their best years are ahead of them. I think Moses was a great buy and I am glad he is at our club he offers a lot of skill. I feel that if we can keep him long term he will be a big part of a great era.
Further one thing that does concern me however is the fact that the bulk of the quality players are coming off contract at the end of the 2019 season. This by coincidence is also the year that I feel that we can make a big run at the title and also the year that BA is off contract as well.
This needs to be well managed by the club and it is good that Bernie is there to ensure that it happens with a good outcome for the club. Depending of course what happens this year and next but I would like to see BA extended beyond 2019. Sooner rather than later.
John I think you would get a lot of howls on the other sight suggesting to sign BA sooner rather than later.
I see he is like the team. His best years are ahead of him. Besides the posters making all the noise over on the other site would not be happy if we signed the NSW SOO side. They would then look to Qld SOO to fill the bench and Wenty.
Working within a salary cap does not occur to them. It is just easier to blame the coach.
Some of them seriosuly need to go and support the Roosters….
Hee Hee! Agree though its laughable not just at times.