Burt: Expect 'different' Eels
23/3/2012 06:25 AM
Adam Lucius
Sportal
Parramatta veteran Luke Burt has promised Eels fans they will see a different side in Friday night's western derby against Penrith after a week of criticism following the club's embarrassing capitulation in Townsville.
The blue-and-golds are the only club without a win after successive losses to Brisbane, the Warriors and North Queensland - the 42-6 defeat to the Cowboys rated nothing short of appalling.
That last result has heaped further pressure on besieged coach Stephen Kearney, who has guided Parramatta to just six wins in 27 matches.
But Burt, back in the NRL after being dumped to park football in Round 2, insists there is still plenty of life left in the season.
"It hasn't been the ideal start to the season but we're really going into the (Penrith) game confident with who we've got out there," Burt said.
"It's always a really good match between us and Penrith and it's a match we always look forward to."
"We were off the pace in (Townsville) and we know that. That wasn't us."
"Friday night will be a different story."
Despite the Eels' poor start, Burt is backing his side to turn things around.
"We're keeping positive. We're three games into the season and it's not ideal, but if you're going to give up now it's going to be a long season," he said.
"We've got to be positive and confident in ourselves to go out and get the job done."
Burt may again find himself back in the NSW Cup if Jarryd Hayne declares himself a late starter against the Panthers.
Hayne tested his injured knee at training on Thursday with a final decision on his availability likely Friday.
"I don't know if he'll be back, but he's had a run with us and he looked pretty good," Burt said.
"It's competitive for spots, but it's not for me to decide if I play, it's Mooks' (Kearney's) call."
Penrith's form coming into the western derby is not much better than Parramatta's, with Ivan Cleary's men dropping two of their three games.
