Eels Blogs

Since the start of the year we have been hit hard with injuries and suspension. You just have to look at the Dogs when they copped a few suspensions and injuries or Souths that lost a halfback and how they performed after those losses.

I firmly believe that our lightweight pack and bench are competitive for 50-60 minutes and then get dominated by the bigger packs. This week and next will determine if this is correct as bigger players come back.

Our lack of speed in the backs has also imo contributed to the losses. Against the Tigers and Titans, both with quick backlines, we had undoubtedly the slowest backline in the NRL.

Poor defence, could be linked to our small pack and lack of speed in the backs. This is what I hope so lets see if it improves as bigger forwards come back this and next week.

BA continually picking players that don't perform or don't bring anything to the team. Picking Tepai when obviously injured, picking Sefa who provides nothing to the team imo, sticking with Hoppa for far too long as fullback when not working, picking Watmough who has been playing poorly and now picking Kelly.

BA imo has the potential to be a good coach. You just look how the team improved last year with basically the same players of the previous year as wooden spooners. But he has his flaws as outlined above. I would like him to be more proactive rather than be reactionary. He should not be sticking with players for too long when not performing. What about promoting younger players into team, Goodall comes to mind, who I and others believe could perform at NRL level.

Now I believe the team will start winning as players come back. They won't win every game, they mightn't win this week, but I expect an improved performance for the rest of the year as long as the roster stays healthy. I expect that the worst is really behind us.