Parramatta and smart players

We seem to be in a constant pattern of signing good footballers who just aren't that smart.

For me the difference between some of the top players and teams who have had continued success is not because they are the best atheletes or have the best skills. 

The fine  between the best and worst teams is having players who can adapt to a game plan that is set out clearly by team leaders and coaching staff.

Once you have 2 or 3 players who have a good understanding of what is needed and when then you have a chance at winning most games.

So many times I have seen Parra trying the same things over and over when it is not working and at key moments in the game we have guys who just aren't sure what is needed.

Parramatta seems to have a culture of hiring guys who haven't made smart decisions and thinking they are a new person who has seen the error of their ways. They may be better in their own life but this doensn't always show on the field when times are tough. Guys looking for an easy way out, etc.

From my point of view BA needs to take more of a Brad Fittler approach to recruitment and look at the character of the players we are signing and whether they can be a leader in tough times that will make our team more resolute, or are they guys that have shown when things get a bit hard they freak out or go quiet.

I know it's easier said than done but when you keep seeing the same types of players signed, guys who have a history of putting themselves before the team or have done more than their stupid things in the past. It really makes you wonder why we want these types of players.

We can be competitive with a team of idiots but can we be a winning club?

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  • Only need a few key players to be smart and all the senior playing group to be good role models in terms of giving 100% and staying out of trouble

  • Agree, I think we lack that key player who can take control of the game. The fact that we have had forwards captaining the side for the past 19 years suggests that our halves just aren't able to control the game and lift the team. The best sides can do this.

  • Good blog mate and I totally agree. Our team lacks a stack of footy smarts - and a true leader.

    I wrote a blog early last year called "Million Dollar Body, Two Dollar Brain". I ended it saying that BA needs to find an onfield general who can control a game.

    He went out and signed Moses -  a running 5/8 on massive coin to go with Norman - the running 5/8 we already had (on massive coin).

    So far we've addressed the problem by signing Paulo, Ferguson and that Manly bloke . . . . .can't see alot of onfield leadership, let alone footy brains, in that bunch. 

    • This reply was deleted.
      • Yeah I can't think of a ready made solution.....

        Although . . . . . if BA had have gone the Maloney route instead of going for Foran we may well be enjoying a very different football season.

        Unfortunately I don't see Moses ever becoming the player we all want him to be. Hope i'm100% wrong though!!

  • Need a smart coach first and foremost 

  • Brads a very poor visionary and very poor identifier of leaders and Alphas, dumb coach = dumb players and no leaders.

  • Brad couldnt organise a fuck in a brothel with a fist full of 50s.

  • Are u saying Blake Fergusson isnt smart???

  • Snake go to bed wit a mirror
    • Sam i suggest you pop off to your local clinic for a check up sweetheart.

This reply was deleted.

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