Analysis: Eels will appoint new coach
Posted by Phil Sim on 27/09/2005 09:37:56 PM | 5 Comments
The vocal division of the Parramatta supporter base that continues to lobby against Parramatta coach Brian Smith has almost certainly won the day, following Denis Fitzgeralds declaration that the Parramatta club would appoint a coach for the 2007 season before the start of next year.
It would seem implausible that Parramatta will re-appoint Smith for a further term on the back of Parramattas embarrassing 29 to nil loss to the Cowboys. Had the Parramatta club been prepared to wait and see if Smith could deliver a Premiership in 2006, the Eels head coach might have stood a chance of survival. Even an indication that Parramatta was prepared to see how the early stages of next season played out, might have suggested some kind of board level support for Smith.
However, in the wake of the supporter backlash following the Cowboys loss, Fitzgeralds comments can only be interpreted as an admission that Parramatta cannot afford another year of constant speculation about its coachs future and the subsequent de-stabilising effect that comes with such uncertainty.
Smith took the 2005 Parramatta Eels to a minor premiership and a preliminary final, with a team most believed would struggle to make the eight. If after a season of over-achieving, the knives still come out for him, Fitzgerald will know he can not risk the kind of revolt among the fans that is assured if the Eels do not live up to, what will be high expectations, in future years.
It seems assured, then, that a new coach will be appointed early next year for 2007 and Smith will be given one last chance to win a Premiership with the club he has re-built from the shambles it was in during most of the nineties.
One can only hope that this move will finally heal the deep division between those Parramatta fans who support Smith and those who dont. One only needs to read the comments on this website or any other Eels Forums to see that the Blue and Gold army have wasted far too much time and energy, bickering over whether Smith should stay or go.
Assuming a new coach is appointed for 2007 then this is a call for all Parramatta fans to unite behind Smith in 2006 and then the new coach the following year.
Whatever your opinion of Smith, the simple fact is, he has turned Parramatta into arguably the most professional club in Sydney. Its junior programs and recruitment processes are unrivalled. He brought through the club champion players like Nathan Hindmarsh and Nathan Cayless and future heroes like Tim and Ben Smith. He picked himself up after a couple of seasons in the wilderness, recruited a wonderful array of talent and put the Eels back on track in the NRL while cruising home with the club championship. Two Parramatta teams will contest Grand Finals this weekend.
He will leave his job as head coach of Parramatta in immeasurably better shape than when he started the gig.
As such he deserves to see out his contract with Parramatta and that will happen with the support of the entire Parramatta fan base. Smith said at the start of the year that 2006 would be the Eels best shot at grand final glory. Give him the chance to fulfil that prophecy without needing to defend his position after every loss.
Certainly one would hope that the players who let him down so badly this year, will do whatever it takes to send off the coach, who they have so often stood by, in glory. It would seem their own desire for a Premiership wasnt enough to push their game to a higher level, maybe theyll find something more for their departing coach.
http://www.prwire.com.au/tippo.nsf/artwebfro/B10C191FCD7D3AAB4A257089003FE234?editdocument
