In a previous blog there was some discussion about the Eels missing some pre-season training due to a country trip. Tele's blog response about poor match decisions and errors warrants both praise and expansion.
Parra were very guilty of making the same errors week in/week out all year.
I believe they fell into major categories:
1. Poor kicking game (defensive and attacking)
2. Poor last pay options in the attacking zones
3. Simple dropped balls in our half (often not from throwing the ball around - just hit ups and impact dropped balls)
4. Not keeping the ball alive at all in certain games - therefore never threatening the opposition defence (our lack of scoring in some games being evidence of this)
On a Fox program in 2009 Noddy analysed the Dog's lost match to Parra. He said something like "we knew that they were going to keep the ball alive and we tried to stop them - but they just moved us from sideline to sideline and all over the park so we were exhausted. We couldn't stop them."
This ball movement was almost completely absent in many matches last year.
So who made such match decisions?
Our kicking game should have been sorted out by the coach.
Why was Morts kicking for the line after penalties? He has no length in his kicks and so he either didn't find touch or found NO DISTANCE.
Why was Morts used for 5th tackle kicks? Same results.
Why did we rarely threaten during a set of six in the opposition quarter or rarely get repeat sets.
How often did we turn the ball over in a simple hit up in the set of six after a kick off?
Part of the solution is simple.
You need a leader in the halves. All of the good teams have a half who takes control of the direction of the game and pushes the forwards around.
Cayless was an off field leader. A man to set an example to the other players.
He was not a leader to direct the team around.
So the signing of an Orford or an experienced half is a priority. Not a half with potential like a Murray. And Murray certainly didn't inspire me during the Roosters Under 20s finals.
We need a coach who will not allow the same mistakes two weeks in a row - let alone a whole season.
We need to find that balance between respecting the ball and trusting player's talents.
The training paddock has many teams on a par fitness wise. It is the players attitudes at training that will be the defining point. How the coach organises them as a unit (their roles) and how they respond to his coaching before and during match day is crucial.
Tele, your blog responses about preseason and about match decisions were spot on. If we keep making errors we will have the same results.
I have some faith that with SK and a leader in the halves things will be different.
Replies
billblogs, 'we will have an experienced half' this is what we need but it is looking increasingly obvious that this wont be the case
so what do we do for halves now??????? god only knows - maybe he doesnt either
the rest of your blog sixties boy is spot on
Finally, someone agrees with my thoughts on cayless's poor on field leadership - before anyone jumps down my throat about cayless's captaincy style - please read my previous posts on this matter - as I hold cayless in high regard on other things - but not on on field generalship. And for the same reasons - why Hindy should be club captain but not incharge during game time - again, if this news is upsetting for anyone - read my previous posts on this matter before you throw rotten tomatoes at me
Sixtiesboy rightly points out the benefits that an experienced half back will bring each week , not only will decision making become better with an Orford type player - but also the added benefit of on field generalship - that was sadly lacking from season 2010.
To me, Kearneys biggest challenge is to mould parras raze dazzle ie not to stifle Haynes flair and parras unpredictability. But also to introduce what I call Plan B's to our playbook. Plan B's involve structure and discipline so that parra can get their game back on track after mistakes - and or - to play varying styles at different stages of games or field positions. Parra's POOR starts in games and POOR field positions early in games really helped KILL season 2010
Coaching Parra to play smarter is one thing - but having an on field general that can steady the ship when required but can also allow the parra magic to flow and that can offer a kicking game that pressures defenses is the missing ingredient
And that is having an experienced half like Orford. Obviously JT or Cronk are also perfect fits for parra - but I cannot see their clubs letting such valuable pieces leave.
Remember 01? Jason Taylor had just about retired before Brian Smith gave him one last run, but he and Buettner nearly got us over the line. And Taylor was directing things on the field.
I've been moaning about Cayless's on-field leadership for ages. We just need a specialist half. I'll gladly take Orford, he won a premiership (against Melbourne, no less) and the Dally M a couple of years ago; he can't have got that bad that quickly. I can cope if we don't win the GF so long as we have a team that's great to watch each week win or lose. There's nothing worse than watching a league team without decent halves. I hated watching Parra this year, they were direction-less and boring from the git go.
And we're all moaning about Webb and Maitua, and maybe with very good reason, but cast your mind back to 81 when Jack Gibson brought Bob O'Reilly back and poor old Kevin Stevens along for the ride. Stumpy had been stuffed for a couple of years, his knees were completely shot, but the coach knew he could do something with both players, and he did.
I wonder if the signing of Webb and Maitua were Kearney's call, and if he knows something about both players that we don't?
Gibson, Bennett and Bellamy are and were inspirational motivators. Something tells me Kearney is cast from the same mould. Could be great times ahead for Parra. We'll see.
Hindy won't fill that role next year either - he is there to inspire off the field or to lead by example. It's the players in and around the halves who direct a team.
And please everyone - stop saying "we have Murray" - let him settle in the club and prove himself well before you ask him to play NRL. Humble showed some promise last year and he had a full season in QLD Cup against men before he came to Parra. Murray has only played against boys and he certainly didn't ignite the Roosters NYC in their finals games.
http://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/webb-to-sign-with-eels-within?...
Jack Gibson also had the benefit of coaching Stevens at Eastern Suburbs and also O'Reilly spent some time at the Roosters also - and as we all know - they didn't call Big Jack - the SUPER COACH for nothing......so Big Jack OBVIOUSLY knew a thing or two about players and HOW they could fit in with a bunch of super talented youngsters.
I don't think that Kearney had anything to do with Webb's signing - but - as I posted in the the LINK above about Webb - he POTENTIALLY offers such a HUGE upside, that taking the risk to sign him on a short term contract makes a bunch of sense to me - The parra engine really purrs on the back of a Fui Charge and quick play the ball - and a MOTIVATED and FIT Webb offers a spine tingling ONE TWO punch with Fui (if on the field together) - OR BETTER STILL - If they rotate as Bench partners - Parra will HAVE a FULL 80 mins of up tempo bull rush charges with Webb, as opposed to only 40mins with Fui
But WITH BOTH setting a platform, this can only mean BETTER opportunites for our halves - who ever they turn out to be
To start with you are comparing DA's coaching and results with SK - who is a complete unkown and hasn't even met the entire team yet.
Team attitude is influenced by many things - and again you are measuring LAST year against unknown influences that are yet to appear.
Several players have left us and too few have come on board.
YES - the coach should play the major role in the developement of the team in EVERY aspect. Fitness, stamina, attitude (will to win) and application.
Tele 1's assesment imo is spot on - PLAY SMART.
Certain "smart" aspects can be learned by experience and/or tuition but without the correct attitude it is of no use.
Again Tele 1 brought into his points the "mental" aspects of playing smart
What happened in 2010 has (in reality) got very little to nothing to do with what may or may not occur in 2011.
DA and his coaching is gone
SK and his coaching is yet to be realised.
You see "the issues" as still existing whereas I see them as not relevant given that SK will no doubt bring his own influence into the team and it will be his influence that will shape attitudes etc in 2011.
My point being SK is NOT yet at the helm.
In fact I do agree with your saying the issues "are crucial" but I on the other hand am saying they are YET to be determined for our 2011 season.
Hope that helps
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