Eels Blogs

There has been a lot of comments about Ryles coaching especially after the big losses to Penrith and Storm and now after Tigers.  Funny that they weren't there after our wins but that is a different discussion.

Here is a good example of good coaching.  Andrew John's used 2 examples how Parra exposed Blaize Talagi and Casey McLean in defence with a well run line by backrower then going out the back leading to 2 tries before tonight's game.  Despite playing the Storm, Brisbane and other better sides they used Parra examples of how to break down the panthers.  We scored more points against them then all other sides did.

Bulldogs have already copied the play for a line break and number of half break which gave them early momentum.

I don't think either Fox Sports or Channel 9 have used Parra as an example of good attacking shapes for years, they usually use us as examples how other teams can score points.

Ryles isn't perfect he has made mistakes but our structures definitely make us a better side then what we are delivering.  The problems are middle defence which comes back to the players we have and massive turnover as well as a number of young players.

I think a lot judgement of Ryles decisions such as using Papalii to replace Iongi for a HIA and the signing of Pezet have been fairly critisised but calling him a bum coach is out of line.  He is a young coach and will make mistakes but he has totally reshaped the side and debuted a number of players while fighting a losing battle of recruitment which is a club problem not coaching issue

I wonder if he has copied more of Robinsons style then Bellamy's in relation to fitness for peaking at the end of year.  Melbourne had quality players allowing them to rest players late in the year but Ryles would know he doesn't have the squad to do that so needs a team to peak towards the end of the year.  Making the 8 will private over achieve considering our squad but winning a finals game would be a massive bonus for a young developing side.

The roosters always start the season slow and improve as they go on.  That is how we went last year and hopefully that is the case this year as well.  We have had a tough draw and even if the nature of our losses was concerning we are about where people expected with 2-3 wins what most predicted.