I think after this rounds results , storm and us will be the teams finishing 2 and 3 . Panthers 3 point lead I think gives them minor premiership. Means we will play storm upfront in semis
the real question is , even with that performance (whether you think atrocious or not ) do you think this eel side will have same scares as other years and capitulate to them or won't be scared and play their best . I'm not asking if you think they will win or not but more about how they have had the psychological advantage over us. Because I truly think they are in our head , we played a massive expansive game (I know we were rusty ) for the first time in months and you can argue all year .
my issue is I don't think Ba can't coach or some players are crap , but I think we have scars and against certain clubs ie roosters and storm and play a different game then we do against other teams .
since they are the ones we need to overcome we should practice whatever style we use against them with other teams .
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5 games still to play and a lot can happen I don't think the Panthers are across the line yet for the minor premiership
maybe , maybe not but do you think we will play stupid against storm should we play them . I think we have what it takes but for some reason the whole club just capitulates to them . Or do you think just be beating them this week it has taken that hodoo away and best team will win
I think we took a small step towards getting over that mental hurdle. Obviously the Storm without so many players discounts that a lot.
What I do think is that they now believe in their defence, and that’s important because when you don’t have faith in your own defence you tend get much more easily spooked by the scoreboard. We now know we can defend two tries under pressure.
That has been the teal improvement this season.
I have said it for a while. I would like to Play Penrith first up in semi final. Think we can get them. Every week of winning is a little bit of pressure. At some stage, adversity will come in one of their games and sometimes you forget that feeling and things can fall apart and fast. But as others have said, we are defensively strong just need to fix the other side now.
I was at a coaching clinic a few year ago, the 3 big things they banged on about were
Great defence stops a team from losing, great attack helps a team win, and both need good discipline.
The Eels defence is realy good, doubt any team in the comp will put 20 or 30 on us.
Our attack is hot and cold, we have 6 games to get it right.
Our discipline is ordinary, we seem to lack a game plan or don't stick to a plan. Throw passes when not needed. And our kicking game has no real purpose.
MM, DB and RM need to be talking, all 3 need to be on the same page, and RM needs to scoot more.
On thursday night on 3 occasions we had Storm scattered in the middle, yet on the 3rd or 4th MM went wide with a woefull pass, or were Storms defence was organized. The smarter play a angled runner back to the middle then go wide. On 2 occasions we had a overlap on the left DB stepped back in and got collared.
In my opinion we are making opportunity but our halves are taking the wrong opitions.
So with 6 games to go and our coaching staff now concentrating on our attack and kicking game, and we improve our attack we are genuine contenders.
Gus’ continual charge against the Eels is that we start fast but struggle if they can’t put the opposition away, the irony is that is exactly how the Panthers play. They started like they were shot out of a gun against the Sharks last night, but for the last 50 minutes the Sharks basically matched them.
Shame about last week but hey, is it possible that BA has us coasting along, only drilling defense because we can?we all know that before this last couple of months that it was our attack that wins us games and that our D was weak.If we get both right at the right time we are a chance. Thursday we were criticized but if one or two of those passes stick we are 24 nil or more.Hopefully we nail the timing because you can bet your nut that Storm and Roosters will.
It still may not be a Storm vs Eels fist semi just yet. There are some games to play and the Eels do play Penrith again before the semis. The Storm also wont have a home ground advantage of AAMI Park due to the Covid 19. So I think the Eels are in with a chance this time around.
think it will come down to the panthers game for the minor premiership we will be a different side in finals