This heading is probably something we don't like admitting to. Yes it implies criticism but I don't want to start looking for blame or scapegoats, just accept it and move on.
The main issue in my mind is the "Pezet" experiment. It hasn't worked and the future has to be now. If its not, then it is a pointless exercise.
Back to Pezet. It occur's to me that just about everyone is in concurrence that he is not up to the 5/8 role.
The fact that our Reserve Grade side is struggling and do not have a proper half, it is a good opportunity to let Pezet fill this role and see what he can achieve, and how our long term 5/8 potential reacts to having a "proper" half!....????.
After all the real point of having Pezet was a backup half for Moses and the developing of our junior 5/8 talent. Well the 5/8 role ain't working.
He has no speed. His defence is poor. And he show's me nothing much as a link man.
I believe all the rhetoric and dislocation, not to mention the poor form of Moses is directly related to covering Pezet's shortfalls. That included the positioning of Williams at lock and the dropping of JDB to provide cover defence for the Pezet shortfall.
We are in a remarkable good position with 2 out of 3 games, whereas we could be zero and 3 and in deep shit.
Lets not abuse our good fortune. Let's act now.
There is no way we will beat Penrith going forward with this current make up.
Finally, I expected with our back ups and juniors coming through that we were good things for Reserve Grade. But we are now showing issues there. Our junior's are struggling as well. The issue is our upcoming 5/8's are not exactly killing it!
Have we overated our position and personell?
How does this happen? Well, we, Parramatta, are total optimists with the exception of a few and we always want to see the positives.
All that being said, I continue to believe in Ryles and our coaching staff and the reality is he is still learning as well.
Just a smokey to end this discussion. Bevan French.
I do not know the contract implications, but if we get cap dispensation on Hopgood, how about making an offer for French to take the 5/8 position? He hasn't played for Wigan yet this season and I would be not against making an offer he "can't refuse". Obviously this could simply be too hard, but we are a long way short of what we want to be!
Please don't bring up the "French" defensive issues, he is now one of the best players in the world and a lot stronger defensively than when he was with us.
Replies
I think we see eye-to-eye about French.
Pezet needs more time in first grade to get the consistency we were all expecting. He's going to get turned inside out by the better teams, honestly, what rookie isn't like this? We just have higher expectations because he was a Storm junior. Let's bookmark this conversation and review how he's going before Origin begins. I think he will get some of this attacking consistency and defensive resolve that we're hoping for by then.
Now that i do agree with in that Pezet is overrated. He was rated as a great signing and brilliant, i would not say that at all.
And Mutts is right, 2 of his try assists were luck and his try was luck from a poorly excecuted kick.
SL is a league where players like Jai Field, who was fine in NRL, look like superstars. Just saying. Joash would carve up SL as an example. That is the problem with SL is that the quality is lower, ask Luke Keary a 3x premiership winner who said the quality is that bad.
French defending in front line? Mind you defending in front line without a pre-season in Ryles' defence and forming combinations? If you are to sign French, it would be for 2027 so he has a pre-season but even then, i think he would be ok in the NRL, but he would not carve up as he has been.
It's funny how when there is a player who is not much good, we all say "He will end up in SL" yet we are excited about those who dominate SL?
yeh! the ESL takes a hammering but they beat Broncs in the club championships.....and with the right player they can be as good as anyone.....Jai Field is "pure speed" and I agree in principle that he would never make it in NRL.... I see French differently, if he was in the right system he would have been huge in NRL. He is a naturally gifted footballer with the instincts that matter.
Lets digress a little and look at Talaga, without him being "nursemaided" through the Penrith system he would not have made it.....I actually question to this day, that he has made it....but again that is subjective....Talaga has no real pace compared to the excitement machines that are now being thrown at us.
I see that pop up all the time "Hull KR beat Brisbane". If SL is so good, why aren't our best heading over there? Why is it only those who cannot get a run or in the last years of their career go over.
Any player in right system can work well. I loved French coming through, but him coming back to the NRL, turning 31 next year and been out of the comp for over half a decade. But there is a reason no other club has brought him back. I understand if say Gold Coast wanted him he might think what's the point as the team wont go anywhere, but if he is as you say one of the best in the world, why didn't Penrith look at him when Luai left? Where's the Roosters, Brisbane, Cronulla, Souths etc coming in for him? Souths with Bennett need a half to take over from Walker eventually, that is perfect, but they don't want him. There is a reaason for that.
Brodie Croft, Rangi Chase, Jackson Hastings. All players who are either average to decent in the NRL got the top prize in SL. Why? Cause the level is below NRL. You say with right players they can be good as anyone, any team in all of sport can be the best with the right players.
But you also talk about having a pre season with Parra....didn't stop Walker coming across last year and competing.
Everyone knows that ESL is an inferior competition, doesn't mean nobody is good enough to come to NRL and be effective.
If French is one of the best players in the world, why hasn't any of the current 18 NRL teams looked at bringing him back?
Also, to be overrated, you have to be rated. I doubt we are rated.
A few commentators had us Top 4
A few experts had Dragons beating us yesterday. After Melbourne we were brought down massively and rightfully so.
We rate ourselves LB, is just a case of how you approach it, when you get older and a little wiser you will realise that everyone gets rated.
Yes I believe French has proven that and knowing the way he was treated in the NRL, why would he want to come back (Cappy's point). Also how do you know 18 NRL teams are not looking to bring him back!
In my "punt" I was hoping he may like to say " prove I can do it"
Make your point by the way....are you supporting the persistence of Pezet or do you "rate him"?
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