Parramatta coach Brad Arthur says his side deserves to be written off as finals contenders but he won’t hesitate to drop players in a bid to keep the Eels’ season on life support.
Arthur is fed-up with his team’s lack of discipline over a winless opening month to the season and will make changes to find players willing to toe the line.
The Eels were hammered 8-3 in the penalty count as they went down 30-20 to the Wests Tigers on Monday – their fourth straight defeat.
“We’re making 400 tackles a game – it’s ridiculous,” Arthur said after the game.
“Individuals have got to be accountable (and) if blokes can’t be disciplined they won’t be in the team.
“The penalties, they’re soft, but when you give teams that much football and it’s back to back, back to back, it takes its toll.
“It is a problem because of the discipline. It goes right back to the Manly game. It started from there, our very first kick-chase.
“None of the boys are playing real well. We’ve got no-one to blame but ourselves.”
Despite Parramatta’s disastrous start to the season, Arthur refuses to administer last rites on 2018.
He pointed out that the Eels recovered from a similar start last year to make the top four.
“We deserve (to be written off) but we’ll dig ourselves out of it,” he said.
“We can’t get too far ahead of ourselves but we need to get that first win and go from there.
“We’ve still got the potential to be in the same position we were after six games last year (2-4) and that’s what we’re going to hang on to.”
Arthur and skipper Tim Mannah took some solace in the fact Parramatta fought back in the last 20 minutes to give the Tigers an almighty scare.
And the Eels could receive a further boost with Bevan French and Kane Evans set to return for next Sunday’s clash with the Panthers
Replies
Seriously, is this coach for real! It’s only Taken him 1 month to figure this out! After round 2 (54-0) it should have been obvious! I wonder if he also realises that he’s contributed to this abysmal display.
One pass off the ruck then putting a bomb up isn't going to win you games of footy and missing 40 tackles a game won't win you games either...
Parramatta need to fix there defence..
And start playing with some creativity in attack the odd offload and 2nd phase play is the way too get to opposition in two minds
Our kicking game needs to improve
We played good in the last 20 mins yesterday cause with played a lot more creativity that's the best our attack has been all year if we can take to the Penrith game and our defence improves then we are a chance of causing an upset
Its ok boys Kane Evans is back this week
in what universe is Kane Evans a boost?
Ah sweet Kane Evans is back, we will win against the Panthers for sure now
Obviously wants to rev them up , not sure it’s emough if they don’t care
Keep talking about doing things Brad, but don't. You are all fucking talk.
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