The Parramatta Eels are reportedly looking for coach Brad Arthur to "change his ways" off the back of the club's disappointing finals capitulation over the weekend.
The Eels' season came crashing down around them on Saturday night when they coughed up a nine-point lead to fall 38-24 by full-time, in a match that was symptomatic of their season as a whole.
Having started the year at the top of the table with 11 wins from 13, the Eels undid their hard work by losing five of their last nine matches.
It's a pattern that seemed to underpin some of their biggest disappointments in 2020, described by club great Peter Sterling as a lack of "mental resilience".
Round 16
Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers
VS
Salford
Salford
NRL 2020: Round 16
Halliwell Jones Stadium
Tuesday October 13th, 1:00 pm
Round 16
Hull
Hull
VS
Huddersfield
Huddersfield
NRL 2020: Round 16
Halliwell Jones Stadium
Tuesday October 13th, 4:30 pm
The Eels' season came to a crashing halt at the hands of the Rabbitohs on Saturday night. (Getty)
The Eels' season came to a crashing halt at the hands of the Rabbitohs on Saturday night. (Getty) (Getty)
Less than two days after the loss there are already reports circling that higher-ups at Parramatta are eager for a change in philosophy, starting with their head coach.
"There is some talk now with Brad Arthur that Parramatta want him to change his way a bit as a coach, that concerns me a little bit," Nine's chief league reporter Danny Weidler told 100% Footy.
"Someone said to me today at Parramatta today that 'running an extra three laps of the oval is not going to get us a premiership, it's got to come between the years'.
"They're looking for a change in mentality."
Parramatta Eels coach Brad Arthur. (Getty)
Parramatta Eels coach Brad Arthur. (Getty) (Getty)
One of their biggest critics throughout much of the year, Phil Gould said the Eels' problems boiled down to an imbalance in their priorities on the field but backed Arthur to be the man to hail in the necessary changes.
"It's not as though I have got anything against the Parramatta Eels, but they were on top of the competition after round nine and I said they were deluded thinking they could win the competition playing the football that they're playing," Gould said.
"This competition was such that they could keep belting a lot of sides, getting away with what they were doing, but that won't sustain itself coming into finals.
"As the season went on and the pressure started to get up on them and they got a bit of criticism, then they started to doubt themselves and it all unraveled.
The Parramatta Eels host the South Sydney Rabbitohs in a sudden death elimination final.
"The game has got to go exactly the way they want it. Those three tries in nine minutes, that's how they want to play, they think the game should be like that all the time. They're playing for those magic moments the whole time.
"They can't spend 35 minutes waiting for the next try, they can't grind it out. Every set of six seems as if it's got to produce a point. There has to be something sensational in it. I just don't think their priorities are in the right place.
"That doesn't mean the Brad Arthur needs to be replaced or needs advice, Brad Arthur is evolving as a coach, he's getting better as time goes on. What they need is an honest self-appraisal of how they've performed this year and what is it in their football that gets them into trouble in big moments."
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Replies
just replace him with Flanagan & green combo
I love the 'an extra three runs around the oval is not going to win the premiership...' it shows that the board think BA is not up to it strategically. Wouldn't be surprised if new assistant coaches come in to assist his deficiencies
Should try to get Matt Elliott as a consultant he is such a great analyst of the game.
Elliot has gone to the dragons.
Unfortunately now we just can't afford it.
This is the beginning of the end for BA at the Eels.
Just highlights the first major stuff up from the Board in extending BA.
The board has been stepping nicely in the last few years but the extension is now rightly bring seen as a major misstep.
What are you hearing champion?
This seems like a potpourri of nonsense. What have the time table segments of English Superleague got to do with it? As Mack says get on with it and get a real coach. Gus says Arthur is still evolving as a coach. I don`t see any evidence of that whatever. Please explain Gus and I will counter all your arguments.
Arthur should be shown the door ASAP ( It ought to have happened years ago). He should be paid out. The directors who made the stupid decision just a month or two ago to extend his contract for another two years should all be made to contribute to the money required to remove Arthur. I am suggesting that they pay it all. They then should get it into their thick skulls that the contract for the next coach should have a provision in the contract that the club has the right to remove the coach if his performance fails to meet the requirements specified.
Hate to say it but Gus is completely right.
We're talented enough to drill the eastbeats but not mentally strong enough to match it with the big boys for 80m (60m we hit the wall and start making soft / stupid errors).
Flanagan is the only coach I'd go after. He doesn't tolerate laziness or mental weakness.
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