Rumoured/Confirmed Signings and More Crap XVIII

[Obscene Assassin]

I'd argue that Sandow has X Factor.
He can win you a match if he is on. Problem is we don't know how often that will be.

With a better forward pack providing more time and space for Sandow to create he should be able to produce more match-winning performances.

 

[Twizzle]

I'd argue that Sandow has X Factor.
He can win you a match if he is on. Problem is we don't know how often that will be.

Very true and he has done that for us in the past, problem is he can also lose games for us so with Sandow its one step forward and two steps back

 

[emjaycee]

Very true and he has done that for us in the past, problem is he can also lose games for us so with Sandow its one step forward and two steps back

Twiz, I know you don't rate Sandow and that's okay but I am interested in where you think he has lost us games. In 2012 and 2013 he had some well publicised demons and shite going on in his life and I agree he definitely has some shit games however in 2014 he seemed to have taken hold of them demons and overall had a good year (top 10 in DallyM's would attest to this).

Are there games in 2014 you believe he lost for us or are you still thinking earlier in this time at Parra?

 

[Twizzle]

Twiz, I know you don't rate Sandow and that's okay but I am interested in where you think he has lost us games. In 2012 and 2013 he had some well publicised demons and shite going on in his life and I agree he definitely has some shit games however in 2014 he seemed to have taken hold of them demons and overall had a good year (top 10 in DallyM's would attest to this).

Are there games in 2014 you believe he lost for us or are you still thinking earlier in this time at Parra?

I cant remember every game we played this year off the top of my head, but 1 half decent season doesn't make a career and I would probabaly give the credit to Arthur rather than Sandow. I recall one game where his kicking cost us dearly.

We don't know that he wont return to his demon years next year but I hope he doesn't. If he put in another 2 or 3 seasons like last year I might change my mind but from all reports he wont be here that long.

He has never struck me as an intelligent leader of the backline that can control a game which is the sort of player you need to be a top 4 team. He is better than the options we have had over recent years but for me he is just s stepping stone till we get some one better and he aint worth the money we are paying him.

 

[spiderdan]

I don't think sandow's problem is being able to make a big play, it's being able to follow up a big play with something good. I've seen him follow up say a 40/20 with an intercept pass just off the opposition try line or make a huge break and then lose the ball. if he can strengthen that part of his game he will be very good for us in leading the team around post-hayne.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

I reckon there were a couple of games in 2014 where our halves didn't do enough to get us a win (norman or Sandow could be blamed). In particular the first game against the Knights and second against the dogs - we had enough ball but the halves just weren't good enough.

Anyhow I rate Sandow and reckon he had a great year - if our forwards improve and win the middle more often then not, he could have even better year in 2015.

 

[Twizzle]

I agree Norman wasn't much better, he had some pretty good games defensively but thats hot what he's there for

 

[T.S Quint]

I've been a major critic of Sandow in the past.
I never wanted him at the club, and I thought he was terrible in his first two seasons here.

But this year I think he took a major step forward. His long kicking game helped us immensely, and he controlled matches way better than he had in the past. He was still erratic at times, but nowhere near as much he was previously. If he can improve for next year as much as he did for this year then we will have a very handy player in our halves.

 

[Joely01]

Very true and he has done that for us in the past, problem is he can also lose games for us so with Sandow its one step forward and two steps back

I think for Sandow, especially this year it has been a case of about 5 steps forward and 1 step back.
He has really improved this year and shown he can do things on his own.

I've said it a couple of weeks ago and ill say it again i reckon he will finish in the top 5 for Dally M points next year. And i would be re-signing him.

 

[EelsFan05]

Most of Sandow's problems are physical and mental. He definitely has the skills to be an above average/good halfback. If he turns up in shape after Christmas I'm sure BA will have him in the right frame of mind. Hopefully the results follow.

 

[Gronk]

Well that whole Mossop / Hock thing turned out to be a fizzer. Just shows you that Nolan was not the messiah after all.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

How does that show anything at all about him? Every recruiter makes decisions that don't work out. It's about spreading the risk.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

I doubt Nolan could have read the future to determine mossop was going to be injured and want to leave after a year. We will never know if mossop was up to NRL standard.

Hock probably should have been passed over considering his past history of stupidity.

 

[Gronk]

How does that show anything at all about him? Every recruiter makes decisions that don't work out. It's about spreading the risk.

It shows that he doesn't have the midas touch, like some here championed.

On a side note it also reinforces the fact that you have to be a very special ESL player to make it in the NRL.

 

[emjaycee]

It shows that he doesn't have the midas touch, like some here championed.

On a side note it also reinforces the fact that you have to be a very special ESL player to make it in the NRL.

The fact he got them both to sign for a combined $250k per year would have been seen as a miracle if either of them had given us some decent period of service and been only half the player SBurgess was for Souffs.

Not sure you can put every failure of every signing by every club every year on the head of the chief of recruitment. Especially when the player themselves change their mind/circumstances and decide not to fulfill their initial contract term.

But then again, some just need a scapegoat to make them feel good about themselves.

 

[Gronk]

The fact he got them both to sign for a combined $250k per year would have been seen as a miracle if either of them had given us some decent period of service and been only half the player SBurgess was for Souffs.

Not sure you can put every failure of every signing by every club every year on the head of the chief of recruitment. Especially when the player themselves change their mind/circumstances and decide not to fulfill their initial contract term.

But then again, some just need a scapegoat to make them feel good about themselves.

However if I said Sticky instead of Nolan, you'd probably have said nothing. So scapegoats are OK, as long as it's not a protected species.

 

[Obscene Assassin]

Tepai Moeroa turned out pretty good, must have taken some hard retention to keep him here whilst other League clubs were chasing him as well as union.

 

[Gronk]

Tepai Moeroa turned out pretty good, must have taken some hard retention to keep him here whilst other League clubs were chasing him as well as union.

Absolutely. A future Kangaroo.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

However if I said Sticky instead of Nolan, you'd probably have said nothing. So scapegoats are OK, as long as it's not a protected species.

The recruiter wouldn't recruit anyone the coach doesn't agree to.

Also, don't forget that recruiting doesn't happen in a vacuum. Every signing occurs in the context of who is already under contract at the club, and who is available outside it.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

That said, the Eels coach still has $600,000 at his disposal following the departure of Hayne as the cash spent on Watmough, Takaraingi, Champion, Robinson, Fa’aoso and Danny Wicks had been determined prior to the full-back’s departure

http://m.foxsports.com.au/nrl/parra.../story-e6frf3ou-1227120272876?from=public_rss