I can't believe BA is the most under pressure coach in the NRL this season. WTF ??????
1. PARRAMATTA – Brad Arthur
Parramatta’s off-season left little to be desired
Player retention and recruitment has been at the forefront of the minds of fans and coach Brad Arthur with the likes of Reed Mahoney, Isaiah Papali’I and Marata Niukore departing at the end of the 2022 season.
Arthur has found himself under significant scrutiny despite the Eels being a genuine finals team for several seasons. That happens when a team’s premiership drought stretches several decades.
While the Eels rallied from a mid-season slump to come within a whisker of stunning the Panthers in the finals, the pressure will once again be there in 2022 with Arthur’s team set to look significantly different in 2023.
Put simply their premiership window is closing.
With the likes of Mitchell Moses and Clint Gutherson entering the prime of their careers and one of the best forward packs in the competition, this season could define the Eels for years to come.
Source: Foxsport
Replies
So he should be, they all should be. Being thereabouts isn’t good enough. I think there are going to be some issues to be dealt with this season along the lines of players being unhappy in their situation (personally and professionally) and not giving 100%. Our best opportunity was last season and we blew it.
Adam......
Was just reading this full article on Fox, Jim .
For me, if Maguire, Kevvie, Barrett , O’Brien, Payton & Stuart don't get better results, surely the daggers will be out; pressure building. They're at least under as much pressure as BA or more. Their results have been worse in recent years.
Anyway, BA is under enormous pressure every year. That happened as soon as he became the Eels' head coach. He probably doesn't always get much sleep. I wonder if we slip badly this year, he might come under review again will he be given one more chance, again?
What's intriguing about BA is that he's in his ninth consecutive season at the Eels. No coach has won a title legitimately with one club for that consecutive period of time.* He'll need to create history.
Folkes took 7 seasons to do it with the Dogs (he had salary cap dramas as well).
Flannagan took 6 seasons with the Sharks.
Every other coach has won a grand final in less than or equal to 5 consecutive years with a club.*
Even Cleary took 3 consecutive years to win it with the Panthers on his return (2019-2021).
Whether all that is because of chemistry and timing (the "premiership window" factor) with the stars aligning, or clubs getting stale and/or losing patience with the axe, I'm not certain. Intriguingly, Jack Gibson made a habit of moving around every 3 years or so, deliberately.
It begs the question, are we in a comfort zone noting we have lacked stability for a long time before Arthur? I'd say the additions of Mary, Ennis and the new psychologist from also year suggest the club is fully aware that BA needs more help, and they're looking for answers.
*Footnote: I suppose you could claim Bellamy took 10 consecutive years to legitimately win a title in 2012 with one club - if you take out his two grand final wins in 2007 & 2009 (he would have then taken 5 years to win his first grand final if those wins were counted). Also, since the Storm have been the most dominant team for two decades, it's probably a false comparative.
Jim,
Who was the author of that? listening to the radio yesterday 4TAB with Peter Peters and Ray Thomas.....they had Nathan Brown from the Warriors, Maguire from Wests, Todd Payton from Cowboys as the three under the most pressure and Trent Barrett breathing down their necks.
BA didn't get a mention as being under pressure. Of course he is under pressure as usual, but I read it as not likely to be sacked or even influenced by the interchange of players next year. He is almost succesfull without getting the chocolates.
It seems now that the astute judges see Parra as a well managed club and have stopped worrying about undermining their season. Unlike a lot of so called supporters on this site.
I feel the sensible Parra supporters see it this way as well now and are relucktant to put the death wish on the side. I don't believe we blew anything last year, it was a learning exercise and showed up how close we can get, even with the faults that we had.
Going into this year is the best possible time in the current window.
PS This year's side is unquestionably stronger than last years!!
Poppa, I'm not going to death ride us either, but a lot of stars (factors) need to align as well.
Even Gus who usually has the daggers out for the Eels (and normally calls us mentally soft when the pressure is on), rates our chances in 22'. This was from his twitter a few days ago (27 Jan I believe):
Contrary to what some say, Gus is not a bad judge, not as good as you and me Hoe but at least he is on our side Lol
Pops, despite being disliked by many, I've got a lot of time for Gus. Met him during the 90s quite a few times when he was with the Roosters & I was working across the road during my uni days. A gentleman. Reflective. Down to earth.
Not the boisterous version you see on TV. I think he just wears his showman hat when he's on TV which is fair enough. His podcasts six tackles are little gems as well.
I disagree, I don't think our premiership window is closing despite the players we're losing.
This year could be our best chance to win a title, I wouldn't say our window is shut if doesn't happen.
I agree Mick, if we win in this year,we can win it again.....if we don't we can still win, this a new era for Parra.
Heard the interview with Mark O'Neill today, these guys are setting up the scenes. Didn't realise Ennis is actually already started in our pathways, to get a better understanding of what we have. I honestly believe we will be the most professional club in the NRL within 3/5 years. I don't know why but it appears he is coming for the long haul.......
O'Neill has known these guys for years....Mary, Ennis and Woody who is coaching the Flegg team, throw Ryan Carr doing the NSW Cup side and this is a really high echelon coaching team.....I suspect the assistants Murphy /Kidwell will still be heavily involved, but not in one on one or tactically sensed.They probably never have been actually?
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
of 4 Next