We appear to have a tall poppy syndrome at Parra. Cayless is our captain and loves the Eels. Lets give him the respect he deserves
Mate, I don't agree with that completely, not in respect of Cayless anyway (although I do hate it when people talk insultingly about our own players / staff on this site)
As Eela posted in another thread, we desperately need a blue chip front rower. Over the years, we have paid Cayless like a blue chip front rower. It has probably contributed to us not signing some props, and also letting some players go.
His performance and position should be scrutinised as closely as any ones I reckon - maybe even more so. I personally think he has failed to deliver on his potential, and to live up to the standard that your highest paid player (or very close to) and captain should deliver.
I think 2007 is a huge acid test of NC as a player, and as a leader.
The club has invested hugely in him since 2001. We have tended to fall down up front in big matches, and in self-belief in those big occasions. Everyone has been happy to attribute that entirely to Brian Smith, but I think the captain must share some of that responsibility.
Another aspect of this is that part of bringing on the young guys at the club too will be off-field leadership. The booze culture, and off field behaviour has to improve. Cayless and Riddell have a massive responsibility to improve this. We have not signed senior hard heads, and we are investing in the young blokes.
If our senior players encourage the culture that appeared to exist last year then we could face another season of unfulfilled potential.
