Parramatta vs Warriors - match Analysis by a Fan - Eels Blogs

At a time when Parramatta have suffered another loss and supporters are queuing up to put the boot in, I'm going to try to offer an analysis that maintains a faith.Firstly, that was a sub-standard first half. To put it simply, I think we paid the penalty for carrying injured players into a game. Chris Sandow was obviously underdone and Tepai looked like his head was elsewhere. Having said that, watching the Wenty game left me in no doubt as to why we played people who should have been rested. We have run out of troops. Pure and simple. For mine Daniel Álvaro is the only Wenty forward capable of stepping up should we lose another forward. No team can have 3 sets of forwards on their roster and we are almost at that point.The way the players looked in the first half, it was almost as if they lacked personal belief. The defence on the fringes of the ruck in the first half was abysmal. The referees were helping the Warriors to get a tremendous roll on in this zone and we were compounding it with errors and air swings. Our ball runners lacked support and we never looked like threatening the scoreboard. Just awful stuff.I feared the worst entering into the second half.So what changed?Firstly David Gower and Danny Wicks were introduced. David Gower is an unsung star around the ruck. He is a great reader of the game in defence and does a great job in tightening the ruck area.Secondly, more room was created around Manu Ma'u. It became obvious that the message was given to attack the Warriors right side and we were rewarded with second half points.Finally the Warriors showed their vulnerability when threatened. But it was a threat that we created which is a positive.So what positives do I find as a fan? Was the result expected? Yes, all of the pundits expected a home win for the Warriors. Given the form from the first half, did we expect a second half capitulation? I know I did. The fact that Parramatta showed a second half resolve must be seen as a step forward. Certainly, repeats of our first half will be unacceptable and we can't be happy with matches where we get beaten but don't capitulate. Nonetheless, we are made of sterner stuff this year.Another positive is the return of Manu Ma'u this year. What a player. I also think that the positive attitude of Corey Norman can only auger well for his future. Our left side attack with Robinson switching sides to pair up with Ma'u and Taka looks a real winner while Semi is out.If I was to conclude my analysis with a wish, it would be for David Gower to get more game time. He really offers great defence, good go forward and subtle ball skills. He never lets the team down.I'll be there at Parra Stadium to watch them take on the Rabbitohs. I don't expect miracles but I'm sure that the players won't let us down with their effort. Go you Eels!Footnote.What have Parramatta done to earn the ire of the refs? We are getting caned in the penalties and indeed there are many that we should be penalised for. The issue is the ones that we don't receive. Strips, tackle drags, forward passes, markers caught offside -the list is endless. And it's all in front of the officials! It didnt cause our lack of intensity today but it didn't help!

"Not specifically you LB, I noted what you said about him being depth.....I do see some Corey Oates about him though and I would probably be happier seeing him get a crack at a wing, if he was going to be a regular. Baily worries me, I think he is a…"

Replies

shane March 21, 2015 at 6:03pm

Good read sixtiesboy a great observation.
sixtiesboy March 21, 2015 at 6:08pm

Thanks. I like to think that I've been balanced in my analysis.
- IH8Manly & IEspeciallyH8Qld > sixtiesboy March 21, 2015 at 6:15pm
  
  is your chair wobbly?
Stevo March 21, 2015 at 6:08pm

Is Gower captain material?? He is he only one that seems to be consistent without being noticed
- sixtiesboy > Stevo March 21, 2015 at 6:19pm
  
  Like everything about his game, he wouldn't let us down.
IH8Manly & IEspeciallyH8Qld March 21, 2015 at 6:12pm

I was disappointed with Norman's kick on the 4th just before halftime when we were attacking close to their line.

It was a nothing kick and let the warriors off the hook.

We need to be taking better options than this.
SuperEel 22 March 21, 2015 at 6:12pm

Completely agree with everything you've written here mate.
Craig Marshall March 21, 2015 at 6:19pm

Can someone tell me why Gower was our last Interchange.I dont know the exact time but I am pretty sure he didnt come on until some time between the 35-40 min of the 1st half.He should be 1st player off the bench if not starting.I love BA as a coach but just hope he is not getting getting caught up in the bash it up game that the likes of Wicks brings that effects Gower.
sixtiesboy March 21, 2015 at 6:21pm

Is that a pun about my balanced comment? I'll always err on the side of supporting my team rather than putting the boot in. But I don't think I held back on my comments about the first half.
- IH8Manly & IEspeciallyH8Qld > sixtiesboy March 21, 2015 at 6:27pm
  
  It was a good read, 60's. i don't think you erred much at all.
  
  We have some work to do, but it's not all doom and gloom.