Hi all,
Good to finally be on this forum.
For my first blog, I just wanted to ask any members whether or not it was just me, or does it appear to all Parra Supporters that as frustrating as it is to continuosly see the mighty eels start a season as if they would rather be anywhere else but the paddock, should we honestly be concerned?
To be honest, I would be more concerned if it appeared that the effort was there and we weren't gettng results. The facts are that we all know how far off their potential they are playing, so therefore do we get the feeling that rather them burning themselves out with an off-season fro hell, perhaps they are using the first 7 or 8 rounds to get match-fit for a run when it counts? I don't agree it's the best tactic but if thats the culture at the club, then lets all keep the faith and run with it. Even though we are perennial poor starters, you cant argue the fact that we do support a club that is also notorious for going on runs. Its funny how fast a competition ladder can change when consecutive wins occur. Here are some examples;
1999- we were 4 from 9 going into friday night footy against the in form knights, and despite showing no signs of turning anything around, we were up 18-0 after 8 minutes. those 8 minutes turned around our season where we were only pipped in the final round for the minor premiership. We were 11th at the time.
2001- A record breaking season in so many ways, but ppl tend to forget we were win/loss for the first 8 rounds with some really poor results against teams that finished in the bottom 3. Without sensing anything, we rocked up to leichhardt on a sunday avo, and put 66 past the tigers. We lost one more before the GF.
2005, lost to broncs 54-14 in round 5, werent really given much of a hope at that point, well we won the minor premiership, 2006, 2nd last after round 12, 10 weeks later, we had won 10 on the trot and were 4th, and we all know about last year.
We know how to go on runs. One aspect of all these remarkable runs, is that outside last year, they all ended in disgrace. I have no doubt the run can occur again. Lets just hope they can change that last aspect and take that title, cause with the best player in the world at just 22, I reckon if we get one, we may get 3 or 4. FIRE UP. 2010 IS STILL THE YEAR.
Replies
nice name by the way hahaha took me all but 2 seconds to figure out where it is from.
It is still early days. If we sneak a win tonight, a 2-3 record would not adequately indicate our poor start to the season. In reality a 1-4 would be more appropriate. They say it shows character when a team is playing badly and can still win.. Hopefully we can edge the raiders out tonight..
What is the weather like in Sydney for tonight?
we have a situation where 5 of our stars (KK, Grothe, Mateo, Inu and Fui are dissastified with the club and its contract negotiations. and seem to looking toward next year rather playing their hearts out this year. Their eye is definitely off the ball and they lack passion, and a thirst to play premium football. And to make matters worse - Our Captain has copped heaps from nearly all quarters... how passionate and game faced would you be if in a similar situation.
I'm pretty sure he feels betrayed by the faithful he has led for the past 10 years re " R' Stuart re blogs Sunday Tele 11/04/10" Caylo must overcome this and our form slump.. a big ask, but one he is not shirking from either.
I honestly believe we have internal dramas in which the coaching staff are at a loss to combat so early in the season - you cant force your players to just click when there is division within the ranks. Already Hindy and Burt have entered the fray in respect to supporting their Caylo, the media are all over them in regards to their seasoned warrior Captain calling it quites season end, Caylo was mentioned in the Sunday Telegraph 11/4/10 as sporting a death glare when interviewed regarding retirement and leaked news.
My main concern is this - we have an awesome team who by far and away show thrilling, sensational heart-stopping football, but lack the desire to perform ATM. Yes we are notorious for being slow starters, but usually the whole team are on the same page, this year their are 3 dividing issues which are causing bedlam.
1. Players looking for more coin / higher pay contracts elsewhere.
2. Benching Captain Cayless as an interchange
3. Stripping the Captaincy off Cayless
I hope I'm wrong, it would really please me to no end to see my boys click and run riot over every team this year with a golden GF held high by our Captain Caylo.
I suppose the next few games will show where the team really places their desire.
I agree, you have raised some really good points and if i read between the lines you are basically saying that;
A) We start slow irrespective of how we finish the season
B) We will have a run in us at some stage this year
C) Maybe we still can win the comp but right now who believes if it is even possible - last year was a blow job except we didnt blow
But
D)You have the best chance of winning a premiership and competing for multiple titles with the right combination of champions mainly in the 1,6, 7 and 9 e.g. Melbourne Storm are probably the best example and the bench mark.
Bingo, D is the problem and probably the questions that continue to circle around this.
As a 29 year old supporter that has gone for and will go for none other than the Blue N Gold, i have watched us recruit many superstars. The question that still puzzles me though is who is the leader at half that will steer us to that prelific trophy after 24 years and counting?
What Hayne did for our club last year, words can not describe and if there are true supporters that know their shit about football you will truly know that in your heart our run to the finals was 90% the Hayne Train.
Bag the guy all you like so far this year, and sure he does deserve some criticism, but what that guy did for us in 2009 i will never forget. But, at the end of the day he is still a Fullback and not our half back. Until the fans and the team realise this, we seem to only win when he has a blinder and when he doesn't we lose. Thats the pressure of football, the big contract and being under the limelight and that is part of being the best player in the game.
I just can not begin to imagine what he could do if we had a gun 7, wow. I have written in another post that if we really rely on him that much put the 7 on his back and tell him to take over and some of you have laughed it off. I am not saying 100% i would do it but cmon anything is possible. He can play that position, make no bones about it, but you know what, he shouldn't have to continue to carry and cover other players lack of drive, enthusiasm or inabilities.
Look, we could all write essays about every post and this is starting to get there. After tonights performance against Canberra beaten at home i am a little surprised but not shocked at the same time because no doubt there are a LOT OF ISSUES BEHIND CLOSED DOORS THAT WE DONT KNOW ABOUT.
We can all speculate and some of us will be right and some of us will be way off but i guess the bottom line is that we will not be a true contender this year until we sort it all out and also discover our leader in the halves. I am not saying this is our only question mark over where we stand right now, there are a lot of problems and too many to list, however, let me start by saying that i think signing Morts for $250K has pissed a lot of players off and there are other unhappy things going on inside camp that are being shown on the scoreboard.
In summary, welcome to the forums Oberlointment Fongentuler, i look forward to reading more of your intriguing posts.