Hi All, I know we are only 1 game in to our 2014 season, but feck I feel great.
I want to start a blog about Brad Arthur.
I want this blog to represent his career with the eels from Round 1, 2014 through to the premierships he wins along the way.
I have never been happier to see Brad come on board at the expense of Jason Taylor.
Brad has made it his mission to turn average footballers into competition winning players.
Plenty of people have doubts about Brad as a Coach, I have none.
I have faith in him and his selections.
His motto is BRING it DON'T SING IT.
I have faith in Brad, DO YOU? Well Fecking bring it to this Blog
Replies
Grand Final you reckon... lol
BA's goal is Top 8.
From there its anyones game. We have enough X factor to win the comp, why not?
Well done Turps, you have been a big supporter of BA all along, the way he had the boys up for yesterday was outstanding, im desperately hoping your big wraps on him come to fruition, its all going along nicely atm, i was wary of a rookie coach when he got signed, only because i thought we needed a seasoned one to help rebuild us, but could it be that we have found the next big thing with BA, way to early to call, but im damn hoping he is.
WELL DONE BA...
True Turps' support of BA in him being the right man for the job was unwavering.
It's one step at a time but... BA and the coaching staff and players have worked their butts off to make us look and play like a team and from the lowly depths that we were left in it's hard to believe the difference. Watching the telecast even the crowd seemed a little stunned at first.
I don't know BA personally like you Turpy, but I, like you wanted BA selected over JT (badly) and had many a keyboard dual with some members about why BA seemed superior than JT - even before BA was selected as coach, what impressed me more than anything (looking from the outside) was that he was a capt coach at such a young age - to lead real proper grown men into battle while still in his early 20's was something that made me stop in my tracks and ponder, this guy MUST have something special to do that....and on the story goes with GF success stories where ever he went....so it will be no surprise to me if BA can turn around this motley crew of a football club called the Parramatta Eels
But Top 8 in 2014 (for me at least) seems unrealistic - sure it should be a Team goal to play semi finals, but as a fan - and depending on how 2014 pans out - I will be looking / hoping and even EXPECTING more in 2015 & 2016
The salary cap era certainly does give Teams the opportunity to go from worst to pretty darn good in a hurry - but in my heart of hearts, as much as I would want that in 2014, I hope that a steady and continued improvement happens instead. Parra suffers badly from the FAVORITES tag, and where expectations are concerned, usually fall in a heap when expectations are expected.
I would much rather Parra continue to struggle to really build toughness (mentally) and for them to EARN hard fought victories like Melb Manly Roosters AWAY from home (if at all possible) over the next season or two before Parra breaks into being a Top 8 team
I simply have NO FAITH at all in Parra's ability to sustain a WINNING culture right now after YEARS of awful, gutless performances - so , for me, Top 8 in 2014 will be more of a curse than a savior - even though I will cheer them all the way.
No more important REMINDER to fans should be the DELUDED 2009 Grand Final run - here we were 2nd last before the incredible, dazzling 9 weeks of a Hayne inspired fairy tale, culminating in a GF appearance
What is NEVER discussed are the reasons WHY Parra was 2nd last BEFORE the GF run, and how much LUCK (as well as Haynes skill) played a part in those victories - and how literally nearly every lucky bounce went Parra's way etc - the trouble with the 2009 stunning reversal of form, is that it ONLY MASKED the deficiencies of Parra
Then 2010 arrives (the beginning of the end) - EXPECTATIONS from fans and players are HUGE, but Parra implode, coaches and boards fracture due to failed expectation and the rest is history - cellar dwellers ever since
The problems of 2009 were NEVER fixed - Parra was 2nd last for a reason
And that is why I find this blog disturbing - the LAST thing a mentally fragile club like Parra needs is QUICK SUCCESS - as much as I (the fan) wants it - I hope we get our heart broken in some close matches against BIG TEAMS and I hope we WIN some games against BIG TEAMS also...I hope to see steady improvements in defense and discipline and that by late in season 2014. Parra has developed some GENUINE mental toughness and a confidence that is REAL, so to move into 2015 where they can BEGIN a Top 8 campaign for real etc
I sincerely believe BA will be the right man to deliver such a resurgence but I hope, unlike you, that it is NOT in 2014 as instant success just scares the bJesus out of me cause of Parra's DELUDED self belief problems that they have exhibited in the past
I really am looking MORE to a long term solution that has GENUINE mental toughness and discipline (in attack and defense) combined with a genuine confidence to WIN with structured and unstructured (flair) abilities in attack. I just don't think this is achievable with 4 awful seasons in a row immediately behind Parra for these to be properly fixed in 2014 - as mental toughness and discipline are usually the first to CRACK if not fixed properly......and if any Teams are mentally weak and lack discipline, they usually lose alot of games..........now 2015 and beyond is another matter entirely......and for me, more realistic
I dunno if my post will satisfy your criteria of instant success - but I DID BRING IT. I have no doubts (at the end of week 1) that Parra 2014 will be BETTER than the Parra 2011 / 2012 / 2013 sides........just not a Top 8 team....not yet anyway....
Turps, but just like your Tattoo says "COMING SOON" (2015 +)
Like this post tele1. Makes a lot of sense.
I just want the Eels to keep winning. When you wait so long to see a half decent performance its easy to get over excited and you are correct in having patience and building a base for the future.
Next week, if we loose, I will probably cop it from all the blokes who wanted Taylor, but I couldn't care less.
My blog is more about having faith that our coach is going to achieve big things with Parra
First time in 3 years we won all 5 grades over the weekend, good start.
don't worry Turps, you have an ally in me - I truly believe BA is 'the man" and that he has got some magic that is perfectly suited to turning Parra around.....I. like you, have the faith also
Turps, wrapped to see the EELS play as well as they did yesterday. First game of the year and we`re 1 from 1.
I must admit I was a little annoyed at Arthurs appointment last year but lets give credit where credit is due. The boys seemed pumped and up for the game. Defence looks to have improved and the attacking combinations are better and will improve as the year progresses.
In saying all that, its the first game of the year so perhaps we shouldn't go too over the top with all the back slapping just yet. Lets just wait and see how we are looking after 6 or so rounds. But no doubt things are looking up.
Perhaps I should take that humble pie from the freezer and be prepared to take a bite? I think I will let it thaw a little over the coming weeks before I commit to that!!
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
-
5
of 20 Next