Ricky Stuart is considering cycling the captaincy between some of the club’s senior players in the hope that one of them will step up and convince him that they are the player to lead the club into its next era.
Stuart said at this stage he didn’t see a clear leader amongst the playing group, however, he rejected the idea of co-captains saying that he would see such a decision as a cop-out and he would rather see one of his players step up as a genuine leader. Passing the captaincy along between players in the first instance, would allow the candidates to demonstrate if they had the mettle for the responsibility.
However, the captaincy isn’t the only frustration for Stuart right now, who told an 'influential supporters forum' on Wednesday night that the player’s application to training and the way they were preparing themselves was simply not anywhere near where it needed to be.
On a more positive front, he believes it is an area that he will be able to quickly address. Indeed, he feels that his young squad is looking for a firmer hand and that the changes he will demand of the players will result in rapid improvement.
Stuart said the road back to Rugby League respectability would require both sweat and blood. Any player that did not buy into the program, would be quickly jettisoned from the club.
The new Parramatta mentor also told 1Eyed Eel that he had employed the services of a sports psychologist on a consulting but ongoing basis.
My impression of Stuart
Stuart certainly gives the impression he’s not about to settle for any petulance from his roster. Of course, Stephen Kearney arrived in town talking a similar game - buy in or f&$% off, he reportedly said at his opening session with his players. In the end, it was Kearney who was resigned to the latter fate. Daniel Anderson was known for laying down the law to his players but he also seemed to lose at least a faction of the dressing room.
However, Stuart made one comment that struck me, when he conceded that “we’ll probably make mistakes, but we’ll identify them and we’ll fix them” or words to that effect. Almost exactly two years ago I got the chance to speak to Kearney’s assistant Brad Arthurs upon the pair’s arrival at Parramatta and during that conversation he really first aired the strategy to introduce a more structured, grinding game to the club. I challenged him with my belief that given the way that Parramatta had always played, that I thought a lot of the Parramatta players would struggle to adapt. I wouldn’t say he dismissed it as an issue, but he had no doubt in his mind they’d get the players to where they wanted them to be.
You can’t help but be struck by the confidence that Stuart exudes. However, that little bit of humility to me, demonstrated the difference between a rookie coaching team and someone who’s been around the block a few times like Stuart. He’s fortunate I think to come into the club at a time that it’s going through generational change. Can he return Parramatta to being a force, and if so, how long will it take. That’s yet to be played out.
But right now, Stuart at least inspires optimism. And that’s something long-suffering Parramatta fans will gladly latch onto, at this stage at least.
Replies
I wonder how Stuart will really handle JH if he decides to throw one of his little petulant tantrums? The bigger question I suppose is will the Club really back the Coach or as they did with DA cuddle up to the boys to ensure that they don't feel hard done by/victimised.
AGREED!
Iwould say he has about 18 months to turn this poor player attitude around, which has been the whole problem all along. if not he will be sacked..
"The new Parramatta mentor also told 1Eyed Eel that he had employed the services of a sports psychologist on a consulting but ongoing basis."
I have been saying this for a while now. Glad this has been introduced.
Is there a secret handshake or sex act that must be completed to become an influencial supporter?
To say that Parramatta's performances over the last few years is depressing is indeed an understatement, no question. A quick fix to Parramatta's culture, not possible. It is going to take time but I feel confident that we are now heading in the right direction.
Many of us have said all along that it is a culture problem at Parramatta and that is true I feel. When the club has a winning culture then players will stay and want to be part of it even when it means less money. Money is not everything, happiness plays a large part.
Remember that Ricky has said 'it's about the club'. They are demonstrating this with the management structure they are bringing in - winners! This will result in changes underneath from the club to the players, it's going to take time. It may not happen immediately, give it time. I'm sure we will start to see improvements on the field next year.
Have faith one and all, we are heading in the right direction!
Very disappointed to hear with a new coach and so many players off contract at the end of the year that the players aren't busting their arses to impress him and his new coaching staff. If they can't buy into what the new coach is trying do they can piss off and RS can find some players that will. Hayne included.
Stuart has the balls to make the tough decisions and wont be bullied by the players
BIG concerns on my part there in regards to the players application to training/preparation not being up to scratch but could it also be partly to do with the first point about Ricky seeing not one clear leader amoungst the playing group???
That scares me that not one single player can stand up to support Ricky's vision and show the neccesary leadership to ingrain/demand better attitude from within the playing group. Someone better stand the fuck up for the EELs or we will be heading down the same road all over again!!!
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