Few Changes that Might Help

[True EEL]

Hah! "Agenda agenda agenda, agenda, agenda, agenda"

Yeah, cos THAT cost us the game...not Esi's shocking defence, or our woeful finishing...Dig up man, seriously.

of course Esi Tonga's deplorable defence (on Ben Pomeroy of all people mind you....) and the soft tries killed us. BUT, we got back into the game after that. We withstood that AND gained all the field position and momentum late in the game. We just couldn't finish them off. You might note I am basically finished with Esi, he was shocking, wow, horrible

its not HATE on Roberts at all. its just the truth. I'm not suggesting he should be dropped or wipe. I am openly saying he has still proven he has value in the team.

As for poor finishing - that's just the point, those 4 horrible options and plays late in the game didn't allow the three-quarters to finish any tries....

 

[True EEL]

Yeah, those three soft tries we let in in the space of 10 minutes didn't cost us the game at all, it was all Roberts fault.

#YouWereRightAllAlong

see my response above to Bazal....

 

[Djay]

But what is working exactly???

You're right, we are not winning games and we aren't even really getting better?! Hindy said himself we had enough ball late in both of the last two games to have easily won both and neither Sandow or Roberts as the main playmakers have got us over the line. Its true I have more faith in Sandow to come good than Roberts. But moving Roberts to centre (or lock as I also suggested) would better utilise his robust running game...

It would also allow Hayne to hopefully prove the doubters wrong from 5/8....right now nothing is working for Parra. Right now we need to put all our eggs in the Hayne basket. Put him at 5/8, demand that he runs the team, hell make him co-captain with Hindy.

Alright I might aswell post exactly what I think.

As weird as it sounds I'm not worried about our attack at all, that'll come. What really concerns me is our defence especially on the edges. Morgan is shit, Esi is shit whoever thinks either are acceptable have rocks in their head. It's a simple game plan to beat us, throw it wide and you'll score close to everytime.

When we concede our heads drop, no one in the huddle talks/motivates or anything, this is what burns me more then alot of other things.

Even at times our defence up the middle get's carved up.

I dunno what it is, I think defence is a mindset and mentally we are weak. Sometimes it's as simple as numbering which none of our wingers can do, they all rush up and in the attacker draws the defender throws it to his winger standing on the touch line and he falls over.

 

[True EEL]

Lockyear was a 5/8 a; thru his junior days & only played fullback because he couldnt oust walsters at the time so him go back to 5/8 was only a matter of time.
but not yet. In another
Hayne will be a great / years yes.

Fui has had his worst 2 years since being put on the bench & playing out wide. He is a battering ram & should be used that way. He should only go out wide if they play a set move other whys let him mix it with the big boppas

although its a fair point what you're saying about Locky and Walters and Alfie - there is a difference between success in the halves as a junior and at NRL level....numerous halves at junior level end up playing in different positions in senior football. John Morris and Tim Moltzen are prime examples.....

Fui should start, yes, but i think he is valuable playing out wide, he is our only real option (in the forwards) of block-busting runs out wide currently

 

[True EEL]

Alright I might aswell post exactly what I think.

As weird as it sounds I'm not worried about our attack at all, that'll come. What really concerns me is our defence especially on the edges. Morgan is shit, Esi is shit whoever thinks either are acceptable have rocks in their head. It's a simple game plan to beat us, throw it wide and you'll score close to everytime.

When we concede our heads drop, no one in the huddle talks/motivates or anything, this is what burns me more then alot of other things.

Even at times our defence up the middle get's carved up.

I dunno what it is, I think defence is a mindset and mentally we are weak. Sometimes it's as simple as numbering which none of our wingers can do, they all rush up and in the attacker draws the defender throws it to his winger standing on the touch line and he falls over.

Great post. I agree with basically everything you're saying here about defense and poor players like Morgan and Esi...except that our attack is fine. I still think it has some fair problems....

 

[Djay]

Great post. I agree with basically everything you're saying here about defense and poor players like Morgan and Esi...except that our attack is fine. I still think it has some fair problems....

I just think if we defend well, we grow in confidence and that will benefit our attack.

Give Willie some early ball, yea he hasn't been playing well but he needs to get some more ball and quality service. Keep Fui running wide and hopefully Sandow can improve.

 

[mickdo]

 

[yy_cheng]

i would say yes but not now. i am one for hayne at 6 but i dont see the split halves work for him. we need sandow as 1st receiver and hayne second for it to work.

i think roberts can play centre too because he has the footwork ala gasnier to get around his man and link to the winger.

i dont like roberts kicking on the 3rd tackle when we are in good field position.

lastly fui has to be taught how to attack as a wide runner and i didnt like roberts passing him all the time. roberts needs to sometimes cutout to the centre or wing or hayne


in the future maybe when hayne loses his speed then yes.

the player we are missing is hoppa

if hoppa plays now as left centre we would be more than solid.

long term

1. hoppa
2. sio
3. tonga
4. roberts
5. loko
6. hayne
7. sandow

if hayne extends

 

[Eels Dude]

it will be interesting to see how Hayne goes at 5/8....i am really hoping he plays well

Burt is a better organisier at fullback than Hayne and as i said his strengths outweigh his weaknesses as far as i'm concerned

Moimoi has been playing wide left backrow the past couple of weeks - like it or not - and and has looked better for it. Fui can be more effective running at smaller players out wide with some room to move rather than getting lined up every time by the opposition frontrowers

as for silly ideas mate....many people said Lockyer's not a 5/8, Hayne isn't a fullback, numerous player's aren't Hookers etc...conventions like that are meant to be broken at times

I'm not against Hayne playing 5'8th. He has the talent too and perhaps it could be better for the team in that it installs confidence for them. Really, our attacking combinations aren't working at the moment that's why it'll be interesting to see how Hayne goes this weekend. Roberts isn't a centre though, he is a playmaker, that's why I think that idea is silly.

In regards to Fui he has been playing ok but he'd be more damaging running up the middle. Last year he averaged more metres than any other front rower in the NRL and now he's been moved. I think we get a real roll on at the start of every set when Fui makes his huge charges up the middle off the kickoff, and tiring the defence by taking 3 or 4 of them to bring him down, often twice in a set. He's still effective, but as effective, playing wide. And he doesn't get enough touches either.

 

[Sensai Cobra]

I would be leaving at Hayne at 1 and Roberts at 6. Roberts has been one of our best this year and Hayne has been amongst our best for two of the three games he has played. Baring his injury I think he is set to get back to top form and I think that is because we have a half and 5/8th that can take some of the focus off him and he is able to pay a more natural full back role.

Our problem Is one centre and the utility bench role.

Sk's use of McGuire is baffling.


I wouldnt be shifting any of the guys doing well to account for the nuffies in our team.


Oh and sandow is way below his best form and he can't tackle for shit.

 

[True EEL]

I just think if we defend well, we grow in confidence and that will benefit our attack.

Give Willie some early ball, yea he hasn't been playing well but he needs to get some more ball and quality service. Keep Fui running wide and hopefully Sandow can improve.

yep, you're speaking my language. If we score early and can build a lead, we grow another leg in confidence. But when the opposition puts points and pressure on, they do crumble

yep about Tonga. basically its utilise Roberts to advantage the team's attack and ultimately FREE HAYNE to definitely advantage the team's attack

 

[True EEL]

i would say yes but not now. i am one for hayne at 6 but i dont see the split halves work for him. we need sandow as 1st receiver and hayne second for it to work.

i think roberts can play centre too because he has the footwork ala gasnier to get around his man and link to the winger.

i dont like roberts kicking on the 3rd tackle when we are in good field position.

lastly fui has to be taught how to attack as a wide runner and i didnt like roberts passing him all the time. roberts needs to sometimes cutout to the centre or wing or hayne


in the future maybe when hayne loses his speed then yes.

the player we are missing is hoppa

if hoppa plays now as left centre we would be more than solid.

long term

1. hoppa
2. sio
3. tonga
4. roberts
5. loko
6. hayne
7. sandow

if hayne extends

yes, but why wait YY, move Hayne now...

 

[Djay]

It's not rocket science but being Parramatta we make everything look hard.

 

[True EEL]

I'm not against Hayne playing 5'8th. He has the talent too and perhaps it could be better for the team in that it installs confidence for them. Really, our attacking combinations aren't working at the moment that's why it'll be interesting to see how Hayne goes this weekend. Roberts isn't a centre though, he is a playmaker, that's why I think that idea is silly.

In regards to Fui he has been playing ok but he'd be more damaging running up the middle. Last year he averaged more metres than any other front rower in the NRL and now he's been moved. I think we get a real roll on at the start of every set when Fui makes his huge charges up the middle off the kickoff, and tiring the defence by taking 3 or 4 of them to bring him down, often twice in a set. He's still effective, but as effective, playing wide. And he doesn't get enough touches either.

Roberts can be a playmaker.....but not a great, long-term one. i think Hayne can be that....

Roberts can still attack from the centre's, positions and numbers out wide don't mean as much nowadays, its more about building a stronger team unit

 

[True EEL]

It's not rocket science but being Parramatta we make everything look hard.

ha ha, yep, unfortunately more than ever right now

 

[yy_cheng]

yes, but why wait YY, move Hayne now...

after watching hayne last year at 6, i do prefer him to pop up on both sides like i said if we were not split halves. but burt at one does not do it for me either.

the thing with hayne at 6 is that he developed a great short kicking game which we dont see when he is at 1.


his kick returns have not been fabulous for 2 years now and his dodgy knees will slow him down.

i really do see him as a 6 but not as split halves

 

[True EEL]

after watching hayne last year at 6, i do prefer him to pop up on both sides like i said if we were not split halves. but burt at one does not do it for me either.

the thing with hayne at 6 is that he developed a great short kicking game which we dont see when he is at 1.


his kick returns have not been fabulous for 2 years now and his dodgy knees will slow him down.

i really do see him as a 6 but not as split halves

we're actually playing less split halves of late, so that will work because...

also agree about the kick returns....

 

[yy_cheng]

we're actually playing less split halves of late, so that will work because...

also agree about the kick returns....

dont agree abt the split halves. sandow is mainly right, roberts left . when they get together they have no idea who should do what.

i dont think it was intended coz there is no structure when they are next to eaxh other.

i do think sandow can play the dominant half role

 

[Eelementary]

Roberts to 5/8 raises some issues in defence - Roberts can tackle, but his technique sometimes leaves a lot to be desired. Are we sure having him defend in arguably the toughest position out there is a smart move? I, for one, don't think so.

I also think that we must consider why Roberts is struggling - he's basically carrying our attack. Jarryd is playing on one good leg, and Chris Sandow has been inconsistent. Our most threatening player in attack has been Roberts - hands down. But he's doing a Hayne circa 2009-2010 - ie: carrying the side on his shoulders, and, with all due respect to Ben, he isn't quite as good as Hayne (who IMO is the game's best player, bar none; we saw him make 200+ metres, score two tries and set up another on one good leg ffs), and thus he is trying to do too much and struggling.

I like the idea of Fui to the second row. It solves two problems:

(1) gets rid of Lasalo; and

(2) adds some punch out wide.

In my eyes, our biggest issues are:

* Sandow being down on form, and possibly confidence;

* Hayne not being 100% fit:

* Our centres defending poorly (often as a result of Sandow making bad reads).

Our centre issue is tough to fix - throwing in Savage or Toutai or Gagan or whoever won't really do much to fix it when Sandow is inside making bad reads and leaving his centre and winger 3 on 2.

However, we can work on the other two issues - Hayne needs to rest and recuperate. And while he does, why not slot Burt into fullback?

And as for Sandow...Either drop him to find some form or persist with him. I'd be tempted to persist a little while longer - see if he can snap out of it -, but the simple reality is he is not performing his duties. He seems down on confidence. Let him build that confidence back up by playing for Wenty. Of course, the issue is who do we play at 7 then? McGuire is not a viable option, and nobody else is really available...

And I think that is a big problem we're having right now. Nobody in the lower grades deserves to be promoted, and promoting someone just for the sake of it could be horrendous - a bloke who gets promoted playing average football might tend to get complacent, and can we really afford that?

 

[Stagger eel]

is it a way of saying, maybe Benny Roberts isn't that bad after all??