'I'm in charge, it's my fault': Arthur takes blame for Eels debacle
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has taken responsibility for a diabolical season that will almost certainly end with the wooden spoon, but is adamant he is the man to turn the club’s fortunes around.
The Eels were hammered 44-6 by fellow battlers North Queensland in Townsville on Friday night, meaning the blue and golds will complete the season without a single win on the road. They are also all but guaranteed to finish with the spoon after being steamrolled in Johnathan Thurston’s last home game before retirement.
It is a huge fall for a team that finished last season in the top four and who many of the game's luminaries predicted would be the team to beat in 2018. The Eels are about to collect their third wooden spoon in just seven years, making them the worst-performing side of the past decade.
Rock bottom: The Eels are set to claim their third wooden spoon in seven years after being hammered by the Cowboys on Friday night.
Photo: NRL Photos“It’s tough," Arthur said. "I can understand every supporter is hurting big time at the moment.
“No one is hurting any more than me and the club. I’m responsible for where we sit right now.
“At the end of the day, I’m in charge. Someone has got to claim responsibility, that’s me.
“I feel a sense that I’ve let people down. It’s just embarrassing.
“I have to face up to it, I can’t run and hide from it.
“Obviously, the results I’d like to change, but the job I wouldn’t trade places with anyone. I love working at the club, I love working for Parramatta and want to stay there as long as I can.
“It hasn’t been a great season; it’s been a terrible season for us. I also know that I’m the right person to fight our way out of it next year.”
Down, but not out: Eels coach Brad Arthur believes he is the man to take the club back to the top.
Photo: NRL PhotosParramatta are in danger of copping another hiding when they take on premiership heavyweights the Roosters in their final clash of the season. However, Arthur believes the emergence of promising young players, such as Reed Mahoney, Jaeman Salmon and Marata Niukore, as well as the addition of Blake Ferguson, Junior Paulo and Shaun Lane, can spark a quick turnaround.
“I’ve got no doubt,” Arthur said. “It turned from one extreme to the other for us quickly and there’s no reason why we can’t turn it around the other way.
“It’s been a tough year, full stop. We’ve only won six games. It’s disappointing, it hurts, it’s embarrassing. It’s not a nice feeling, but we’ve got to find a way to get ourselves out of it, move forward and we just need a fresh start next year.
“I can’t wait for next year to come around. I can’t wait.”
The Eels will soon complete an all-encompassing review of their football department. A head of football will be appointed in the off-season and greater resources devoted to assisting Arthur. At a time when the coaching game has never been more cut-throat – Penrith sacked Anthony Griffin at a time when the side had a share of fourth spot on the ladder – Parramatta officials have guaranteed Arthur will see out the final year of his contract.
“That’s a sign of stability for us,” Arthur said. “That’s probably the first time since I’ve been at the club that someone above me has shown a bit of leadership, which is great.
“I’m not silly either, I know I need to get results next year. I know that.
“I can say this honestly, I’ve never made any decision at this club that is short-term. Everything I have done, I’ve always put the club before my needs. If the long term has an effect on my job, then so be it. I refuse to make decisions for tomorrow, it needs to be for us moving forward.
“I know there is a lot of good kids in our system and we’ve put a lot of time and effort into our younger kids. I want to be there to coach them.
“The win percentage, that’s great but it’s never been a priority for me. It’s about the club and always will be."
Replies
It’s all about stability - well said BA.
Thats great another spoon this year, but at least we can say we’ve got some stability, thank Christ for that - and here I was thinking that the clubs job was winning the comp.
If BA thinks that it's just been 'one of those years' and that all he needs is a fresh start and a few new players to turn things around then he is far dumber than I thought. He needs to acknowledge his own coaching flaws if he hopes to have any chance of making a recovery.
Haha it’s not about win percentage . WTF!
Guy is one of the great spin doctors . Confusing simple people into thinking he’s got an idea what he’s doing and he’s the right man for the job . 2nd only to Ricky Stuart. Another idiot we put in charge .
He will be so dissapointed when the inevitable occurs.
Can't we keep him on as an assistant or a doorman or towel holder or something????
If a coach under performs in his job then shouldn't be be at leased forced to take a pay cut IF he is not sacked ?
No , the guy that paid the coach should . Just like players you can’t blame them if someone pays them more than they are worth . It’s the players that you know have talent that perform below their level that I have gripes with . BA was a rookie coach that management decided to pay like a top level coach . That’s not BAs fault .
Maybe hed be bettr served as a football manager negotiating contracts as he seems to know how to get a pretty good deal .
Very good points Wiz.
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