Eels doing it for Arthur

By Chris Kennedy, National CorrespondentEels players say the side's confidence is building after three wins in their past four starts and are glad to be able to repay under-fire coach Brad Arthur for his hard work so far this year.Arthur has been in the headlines over the past fortnight as he attempted to re-negotiate terms with incoming star Kieran Foran following contract issues coming to light, and players say while you'd never know the coach was under pressure from his demeanour, they're glad to be finally getting some positive results to ease the pressure on him."He's been fine to be honest, you wouldn't know [anything is going on]," Eels prop Danny Wicks told NRL.com."He's got a pretty good poker face old 'BA', and he knew he had the full support of the boys which makes it a bit easier."Wicks said the side hadn't felt any additional pressure other that the week-to-week expectations of playing in the NRL."Every week we had a built of pressure built up with things on and off the field, we needed to perform and were able to string a few together," he said."The key point [from the win against the Dragons last week] was 'D', we just scrambled for each other and kept turning up and that's what they've built their season on and we're doing the same thing."Wicks warned the 12th-placed Eels have plenty of improvement left in them."Considerably, yeah. You'd be kidding yourself to say there's not and I think every team's in the same boat," he said."No-one's peaked yet and if they have they're in a bit of trouble. We've got a lot of improvement to go, a considerable amount, it's just about putting it onto the field."Eels forward David Gower angrily refuted suggestions there is any sort of crisis at the club despite constant media speculation, saying a couple more wins in their close games in the face of a horror injury toll would have the side comfortably placed within the top eight at this stage."It's gone unspoken about, people bagging us for where we are on the ladder," he said."Realistically, we lost a game against the Warriors because we couldn't kick a goal [in golden point in Round 10, despite outscoring their opponents three tries to two in regular time], and gave up a 30-point lead against the Cowboys [in Round 13]."Wins in those two games and one against Souths, where the side gave up a 12-10 lead with a 74th-minute try, would have the side in equal third rather than 12th, so close is the competition."So we're not going as bad as the media make out, that's the frustrating part. We know that as a group and as a unit and we know in those games we lost, we lost for a reason and there's things we need to improve but we're confident where we're at as a squad."Our injury toll, we had 14 unavailable on the weekend, that's half your squad. We're going alright, we're comfortable with the squad we've got and the depth we've got. Getting Manu [Ma'u] back's going to be great because he's having a great season for us and he's getting better every game."We've got a few more boys that aren't far away from coming back and if we can just stay in touch with the ladder and make sure we keep playing good footy and improving we're very confident in the squad we've got and what we can achieve here."The boys love playing for Brad, Pete and Murph [head coach Brad Arthur and assistant coaches peter Gentle and Steve Murphy]."We bust ourselves every week for each other and the coaching staff. That's all we can continue to do. The speculation, it's just what happens at Parramatta. The media love a circus around our club. We just focus on what we can control and us playing well for each other and the club and Brad."

"Wasn't aimed at you my bro, just everyone in general in my life lol. I couldn't believe what I was watching, no effort or heart, I know a lot of shit went against us but a solid group looks past that and keeps going, we put our heads down. Our pack…"

"Hopgood isn't too old, he is too shit at footy. Barnett is 10x the player Hopgood is. Cut bait now, T and Sammy are ready. Moretti, Doorey, and Guymer are first graders.
Hopgood trade for Barnett. Lomax trade for Tago. Hopgood JDB and Kelly cannot…"

Tayln d-Seriously what are we playin this cunt for.Every time he comes on he does the dumbest shit I've ever fucken seen seriously man.Fcken pissed me of.penis and Kelly-Two of the most attroucious defensive centres I've ever seen in my 15 plus…

Replies

Camo73 July 2, 2015 at 2:12pm

Great article
Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" July 2, 2015 at 2:23pm

Eels doing it for Arthur

Feck Arthur - it is way past time the players started doing "IT" for the fans and pride in the BnG
- Outrunna > Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" July 2, 2015 at 2:25pm
  
  Why should they do it for the Fans.. All you do is whinge and Whine about how they miss a tackle, drop a ball, have no heart
  Why dont YOU do it for them and get behind them no matter what
- tele1 > Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" July 2, 2015 at 2:33pm
  
  That's all true Col - can't argue against that but would also add this
  
  .....But I do know one thing about Team sports - if there is no genuine connection between coach and players and vice versa - winning the ultimate prize will never happen
  
  Heck, right now winning 3 in a row seems more like a pipe dream than reality and the thought of a GF is totally preposterous...They yell and brandish their fists in furious rage.........but I agree
  
  Winning, let's just take it in any way we can - they yell from the rafters
  
  But the wins and "winning" will be more sustainable if a genuine bond between players and coach can be forged
Eel for life July 2, 2015 at 2:49pm

I love that 5hit
- Carloeel > Eel for life July 2, 2015 at 6:47pm
  
  Me too!!!! Great article , gotta love the coach to win love the anger
Az July 2, 2015 at 3:09pm

BA is still learning the craft of being a FULL TIME NRL FIRST GRADE COACH. I like every other supporter would love to see a great consistent side, putting in 100% effort every week. Yes, we have been suffering for a very long time. We wanted results yesterday. But, I can honestly say that BA was what got the Foran contract over the line. I for one, will be supporting our team and coach for the next two years. We have hit rock bottom, and we are on our way up.
Get in.
Take a seat.
Buckle up.
Exciting days ahead.
- Carloeel > Az July 2, 2015 at 6:48pm
  
  Noice :-) love a good ride :-)
Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown July 2, 2015 at 3:10pm

Outrunna weve been eels die hard since before these players were born, they come and go, fans are for life, the fist people they should be playing for apart from themselves is the fans.
sixtiesboy July 2, 2015 at 3:19pm

No coach worth their salt would consider themselves above learning. He's a better coach than he was last year. He will be a better coach next year. And so on. Importantly he is passionate about his job, about his players, about the club and as you saw on Saturday night, about the fans.

of 4

This reply was deleted.

Eels Blogs