Match Day Issues - The Challenge - Eels Blogs

I've fielded a range of questions recently about the training I've viewed vs the matches we've seen. Let me clarify that I've only watched about 15 or 16 sessions this year and none in the last 4 weeks. However, I have had quite a few people ask me to reflect back on my observations so I'm writing this blog as my response. There will be some negatives, but I do not want this blog to open up any witch hunt, either coaching wise or player wise. Let's keep the responses factual.I set out to watch pre-season training this year out of curiosity and decided to write blogs and attend more sessions because of what I started to see. That being, the plans without Hayne, obvious team direction and the player response to BA. It all looked very positive.Here's a quick summation of the key areas:1. Lots of player talk2. Attack - with the ball and against it3. Forward aggression4. Support play for the ball runner - especially as the line is broken5. Hopoate to be key at fullback6. Halves owning last play options - especially attacking kicksSure, I also reported standout performers at sessions, but the above factors seemed To be a major focus, from a layman's personal perspective.I think you can now see the direction of this blog.It all looked great. The year started well. Now something is failing to translate.Examine two of the victories and we witness most of the above in abundance, especially the key role of the forwards.Now we look at virtually every other game.We have reports of talk getting low. The forwards drop off in aggression, both attack and defence. One out runs with the ball without a support runner in sight. Hopoate struggling at fullback. We rarely see effective set ends, especially with kicks.What reasons can we see for the differences between training and match days? We can of course look to the obvious difference between the inner club opposed work and match day opposition and pressure, but every team has to prepare similarly from within.The first factor no doubt has been the early season injuries. I can't dispute the disruptive factors caused by a shocking toll. We are also told that part of the Hopoate issue is a niggling groin problem. We really fielded vastly inferior teams to the one that prepared for the season. This had a significant flow on effect with continuity of preparation and combinations. We went from abundant speed to zero speed.Secondly, ball control. If you can't control the ball, more than half of your game is defence every week and you don't get to execute your plays.Confidence drop. I don't doubt that the talk is dropping as the confidence wanes. Success breeds confidence and more success. We need to tough this time out. On field leadership needs to address this.Concentration lapses. Look to Slaters first try last week for the gap opening up through the centre as a prime example. The pass went to ground and players watched the Storm's play unfold.What do we see from the outside to address these problems? I certainly wish that I could get to a training session right now to report what is being done, but my current circumstances preclude that. Most of the roster is now available, meaning we begin to exclude injuries as an excuse? So we have to consider the following selection decisions:1. Hopoate moved from fullback. (See injury?)2. Sandow dropped. Obviously he was seen as not providing direction or taking ownership of last tackle options.3. Paulo dropped. His link role has been seen as a key feature of the team (please no insults). To my thinking, the decision must have been made that the need for aggressive running and defence far outweighs the need for his link role4. Tepai returns. No doubt he's been given some aspects to work on ( I see these as lateral defence movement and ball control). His aggressive play is a welcome return.How much will these decisions improve our scenario? I don't agree with Kelly's inclusion for Sandow, but the selection hand may have been forced. Sandow has not been playing "happy". He's at his best at those moments and right now he's looked down for weeks. Obviously, something is affecting him and first grade is no place to sort this out, Kelly will need to be at his best for every single moment if he is to be the regular half from here on in. I do have concerns in this area.Any decision which improves the aggression in our forwards must be applauded, I like the Paulo and Tepai changes.So I conclude by examining the missing elements from my training observations. Here's what I want to see this week that I've seen in abundance at training.Aggressive and dominant forwards. This is a mental issue boys - fire up and stay focussed.Support play. You drill this all the time. Put it into action. Don't sit back on your heels and watch someone else do the work.Talk. Everyone! The on field leaders must get everyone doing this.Varied plays. I've seen this, especially with varied line runs. Manu Ma'u just running outside lines is not the only play I've seen him train for!Halves owning the last play. This has been a key part of training so put it into action.Stop turning over the ball.Preparation is one thing. On field execution is another. The players now need to aim up. No excuses.

Any contribution that this site would make to a players state of mind would be only conjecture. Although I've long stated that players and families visit here (absolute fact) and I try to be respectful in my comments, I think that a more likely cause may relate to contract issues. Peats being angry is nothing new. He's renowned for it and if memory serves correctly I believe he had a blow up with a teammate at Souths (could be wrong). It's part of his determination in football. As far as I am aware the coaching staff are all happy in their jobs and that's not a factor. Winning teams are happy teams. That's what needs to happen to "turn that frown upside down". I think if Peats isn't happy with being replaced for a few minutes, can you imagine his response to being moved to the half or five eight position!

"Agree LB, both.
And to Coryns point, to win in Melbourne, you need to be perfect - and you need to be given a fair chance.
We've seen it too many times, if the Storm are allowed a different playing field, they will destroy you.
Haha that's still…"

"Great points as usual NOS. When you lose by 48 points that is on you. But also, the issues from the refs made us fatigue and weakened us. The Iongi HIA weakened us as it forced Ryles to put Joash on when in hindsight he didn't really need to, but we…"

Replies

Noodles May 13, 2015 at 7:34am

Once again sixties you have out done yourself, another great read. I couldn't agree more with your summary. Kelly is certainly not the answer, however when it comes to experience, and without unbalancing the team even future.... Unfortunately he is the best option we currently have (just my opinion). I still feel that Sandow is the better option to help drive us to finals footy, but he must regain that confidence that he thrives on. In your opinion as you have seen a lot of the behind the scenes action, is that what this recent dropping of Sandow is about? I see it as more of that then the car accident situation? I am out of town currently so I am a little detached from all the goings ons.
- sixtiesboy > Noodles May 13, 2015 at 9:30am
  
  i wish I could answer that. I think his form has dropped off (I'm a fan of his) and the car situation may have forced the hand. Chris just isn't playing upbeat at all. Doesn't look like he wants the ball in his hands. He may have marked his own cards now.
Wile E. Coyote May 13, 2015 at 7:58am

Is Matterson a realistic option in the halves?
- sixtiesboy > Wile E. Coyote May 13, 2015 at 9:29am
  
  Yes. Put simply.
Matty90 May 13, 2015 at 8:05am

I doubt Sandow was just dropped of his poor performance. Last weeks game he tried his ass of but plan and simple he can not play with Joe Paulo as he wants to be in control, and the forwards just got roll. Also there is probably more behind the scenes then what we have been told.

Also Matterson was the U/20 Australian Half last year why not give the damn kid a chance!
- sixtiesboy > Matty90 May 13, 2015 at 9:34am
  
  Paulo was playing a role. gower was playing the same role whilst Paulo is off the field. With neither in the team, it's obvious that a rethink has taken place.
aveel May 13, 2015 at 8:32am

I think what it comes down to is any team can look good in training which disguises the weak mental capacity of a number of our players who crumble under pressure of first grade games.
- sixtiesboy > aveel May 13, 2015 at 9:32am
  
  This ability to deal with adversity has long been an area that Parra has needed to work on. If the players can't do it, there's somewhere to find the answer. Ringrose Park.
sixtiesboy May 13, 2015 at 3:10pm

Any contribution that this site would make to a players state of mind would be only conjecture. Although I've long stated that players and families visit here (absolute fact) and I try to be respectful in my comments, I think that a more likely cause may relate to contract issues. Peats being angry is nothing new. He's renowned for it and if memory serves correctly I believe he had a blow up with a teammate at Souths (could be wrong). It's part of his determination in football. As far as I am aware the coaching staff are all happy in their jobs and that's not a factor. Winning teams are happy teams. That's what needs to happen to "turn that frown upside down". I think if Peats isn't happy with being replaced for a few minutes, can you imagine his response to being moved to the half or five eight position!
- EelLectric > sixtiesboy May 13, 2015 at 3:21pm
  
  I would be completely dismayed if we found ourselves having to move Peats to the halves and starting IDG at 9. That to me would be a sure sign that we could go no lower. I'd rather sign McCrone from the Raiders and play him at 7 and keep Peats at 9 if that's what it took to keep our best hooker in his rightful position (and signing McCrone is not something that tickles my fancy either, but that's how strongly I feel about keeping Peats in his current role)...
  
  IDG shouldn't be on the bench, let alone starting rake IMO.

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