unlike their opening round clash with the Titans, an underperforming Eels side failed to get the job done at the death and it is clear Brad Arthur’s side have some major work to do on their defence if they want to win the premiership.
The Sharks dominated the opening half and if they were better in the goal kicking department it could have been a much easier win for the hosts.
Steve Roach noted how the Sharks blew the Eels defence away with their speed and ball movement.
“The Eels had their work cut out for them tonight,” Roach said at halftime.
“They just couldn’t recover. Matt Moylan made a half break on the left hand side.
“Set play. Watch the pass from Ramien and then Kennedy involved again. Katoa won’t get an easier one than that.
“They are too slick here the Sharks in the first half.”
Cooper Cronk believes the Eels are struggling to trust their fellow defenders, especially on the edges and it is an area they need to address.
“The thing the Eels were lacking is patience on the edges,” Cronk said.
“The two first half tries the Sharks scored were errors defensively from the Eels players.
“The interchanging of passing down the Sharks’ left hand flank really caused some issues for the Eels.
“It was six linebreaks to one in that first half.”
Michael Ennis believes the Eels need to work on their defence through the middle to take the pressure off their edges.
“There were some poor defensive decisions from Parramatta on the edges,” Ennis said.
“They need to tighten up defensively through the middle.
“The Sharks troubled them and their play-the-ball speed was just too quick. Brailey almost took a step out of dummyhalf every time.
“Physically Parramatta need to come to the party and they are not there at the moment.”
Replies
Let's face the Eels are crap until they get a better coach
I love it how the likes of you throw shit out there to see if they'll get a bite, but you're unlikely a member, unlikely to attend games, especially ones that you're too lazy to get off your arse too because you're too gassed on your on BS to get out of your arm chair, too foolish to understand the physicality and philosophy of playing the game.
ParraTrooper suits you, with your drop in rubbish comments. At least we all know to ignore you.
Well mr ennis, maybe you should have a word with BA.
Just tell BA this Ennis, or is BA so arrogant its just not worth it.
Interesting he didnt mention our bench use
We slipped off soooo many tackles and were slow off the ground allowing the dummy half to make easy metres and get a roll on.
We were always back pedalling.
Just a note that I have always like gutho and he made a great try saver but he has to be the slowest fullback in the comp. I never feel like he is going to beat anyone with footwork or pace like most other fullbacks in the NRL
Work on our defence in the middle?
Hmmm wonder who needs help? Paulo? Reed? RCG? Or the locks they've implemented the last few weeks? Or is it simply the edges are not very good? Our middle consists of 3 origin players and a back-up origin hooker? That is when Brown was on the field in second half, maybe they should step up when needed.
Would Robinson or Bellamy allow that?
No urgency in defence, always waiting for attacking player to come to them, was embarrassing to be honest
Our major flaw is our useless coaching department.
To play a park football player like Ray Stone is a joke.
To name the coaches dud son on the bench and not even play him was a disgrace.
To sign and play a shit winger like Simonsson is inexcusable.
To not fix our flawed defence out wide is pathetic especiallyas it has been bad for the last 3 years.
We will get nowhere fast with this current squad and feeble coaching department.
Mick I was pleased that BA created two Captains thinking that would help a lot with creating some defense and attack composure and that would help our overall performance in some way. Maybe it is still a work in progress but it does not seem to be working at all at the moment. Maybe still well worth pursuing to resolve some leadership issues when we seem to lose our composure