'I'm a scapegoat for Eels' slump'

[Hurriflatch]

'I'm a scapegoat for Eels' slump'
May 25, 2004 - 10:06PM

Shattered hooker John Morris believes he is a scapegoat for Parramatta's slump after coach Brian Smith made sweeping changes to his under-performing NRL team.

Morris, five-eighth Adam Dykes, centre Junior Langi and interchange forward Fuifui Moimoi were dropped to Premier League following the Eels' loss to a second-string St George Illawarra outfit last Friday night.

The players were booed off the pitch after their fourth consecutive loss at Parramatta Stadium and some Eels fans threw their jerseys onto the field in disgust.

Smith drafted in NSW Under 19 players Brett Anderson and Feleti Mateo for his embattled team's clash with Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday.

The teenagers will play against Queensland on Wednesday night in the curtain-raiser to Origin I at Telstra Stadium.

Michael Witt has finally earned a recall to first grade to replace Dykes while James Webster comes in for Morris, who's been one of the Eels' best in a struggling side this year.

"I am disappointed," said former Newcastle utility Morris, who joined the Eels at the end of 2002.

"Since coming to the club I've been the only player to start every game.

"I've paid the price for our team going bad.

"I thought my form's been OK in a side that hasn't been going well.

"I've had to wear it a bit. As far as everyone else, it's probably a lesson for them that no one's position is safe and he (Smith) is not afraid to make changes.

"With the number of changes he's made, he's obviously just looking for a few fresh faces to come in and try to get the ball rolling for us."

Another one of those faces is Jersey Flegg front-rower Jack Afamagasa, who's been named on a five-man bench alongside Mateo.

Eric Grothe, who will undergo scans on Wednesday on his injured hamstring, and Matt Petersen (knee) were unavailable.

Witt, 20, said he was "shocked" at the axing of Dykes and Morris, who hasn't played Premier League for three years.

© 2004 AAP

Sydney Morning Herald

 

[Hurriflatch]

reading between the lines it may have been attitude more then performance that may have seen Morris dropped.

Could be over reading it though

 

[WA Eel]

Is he kidding? He's been pretty ordinary for a few games now. The side certainly looked better when James Webster came on.

 

[CrazyEel]

My my he does have quite an opinion of himself doesn't he. From reading that he definately had an attitude problem and needed dropping. I agree WA Eel, he's been pretty ordinary this year and was mostly just going through the motions.

 

[strider]

Well I can see that Johny may be a bit shocked - I think there have been worse players going around for us - but he hasn't done anything great of late.

So, does the fact that you all think Johny has an attitude problem mean that maybe the lack of passion/bad attitude is primarily the player's fault?

If these guys come out and play with alot of passion and execute well on the weekend - does that mean it's not Smithy's fault that we lack passion/have a bad attitude? It is infact the players....or is it that Smithy is not only weirding an axe, but he's sticking the blunt end up the players too to get em going?

No doubt its about time Smithy got his axe out and started putting a little fear into the under-performers......although maybe some might say that is bad coaching as it gets players offside???

 

[Hurriflatch]

Intresting questions and you'll problably get 500 different opinions on them me personally

It is up to the player to want to play and to show the passion/commitment (or whatever word you want to use) to play 100% week in week out

however, interaction with the coach can have a big effect on the player's desire to have this commitment.

It's just like at any other job you do better if you are happy at work.

So it is not 100% Smith's fault nor is it 100% the players fault.

 

[Twizzle]

I think Morris has had plenty of passion and commitment, along with plenty of dropped balls.

Why is he not the player that we bought from the Knights a few years ago.

We all heard about the blow up between Caylo and BS when he wanted Morris to start in the back row.

Its up to the coach to get the best out of a good player and perhaps plying him in PL is Smithys answer.

Morris is obviously not happy, and I'd say he has a few team mates that feel the same way.

How else can we account for such a drop in form of so many players.

 

[wittyfan]

Poor John. And yet, Brian Smith used to think he was good enough for Country Origin too.

 

[The Colonel]

Signs of discontent among the ranks? Possibly - but it also could be the shakeup the club needs. It could also be a journalist making a lot more from a few quotes ;-) Its players like Morris and Dykes who as the on field leaders need to marshall the troops. Their individual form may have been good but how about their organisational abilities?

Thorman, Webster and Witt have had quite a few games together - they may not necessarily be Sterling, Edge and Kenny though they do have some resemblance of combination that Dykes, Morris and Thorman didn't.

Morris is a good player - he just needs to view it as a setback and work his butt off to get his gig back.

 

[Eels Dude]

The whole played terrible last friday. With the exception of McKinnon and Tsoulos, every player in the side should have been wary about being dropped. Morris played poorly in the game and he should be working on him game in premier league. I don't think he'll be there long. I think the fact he was dropped is a good thing, obviously he thought he was safe in first grade and didn't need to play well every week to hold onto his spot. This at least send the message to him that he must perform week in and week out.

 

[Parraren]

I still think Johhny looks like a 5/8th trying to play hooker and this has alot to do with his form dropping off this year. Hopefully he'll fire up and be back in first grade soon because he's too good a player to be wasting away in Premier League.

 

[thedux]

I agree with 'Flatch on this one. You shouldn't have to get FG footballers revved-up to play. That is something that has to be intrinsic. As for Morris, he doesn't sound like a happy camper.

 

[wittyfan]

I agree with 'Flatch on this one. You shouldn't have to get FG footballers revved-up to play. That is something that has to be intrinsic. As for Morris, he doesn't sound like a happy camper.

John's not very happy at all there apparently.

 

[Eelementary]

John's tried very hard this year, but except for a few games where he had blinders, he's been average.

Yes he has heart and passion and pride.

Is that enough to retain a First Grade spot even though form is down?

I hope you all answer 'NO' to this question - the vast majority of people here seem to think a 'never-say-die' attitude and great passion and pride (Hmm, who does that remind me of *COUGH* Muzza *COUGH*) is not enough to get a First Grade spot if form alone doesn't warrant it.

 

[yy_cheng]

I think morris would rather play 5/8th than hooker too. His body language at 5/8th seems more positive than when he plays hooker. He occaisonally knocks on at dummy half coz of lack of concentration or trying to be tricky.. looking one way and passing the other.

I believe he prefers to control the plays kicking, linking to outside backs, etc and that's what he did when wags was at 5/8th.

But when Thorman and Dykes was there, he can't play that role no more and is probably frustrated.

He seems frustrated at just being a HOOKER.

 

[Eelectrica]

A year or so ago I heard a radio interview where Morris said his preferred position was Hooker.
Maybe he's frustrated at being shifted around throughout the game?

 

[Phillips]

Smith is a total Wanker, how can a class player such as Morris be dropped yet geese like Vella, Wagon & Webster still stay in the starting 17 its a f**king insult and pisses me off #-o

 

[Eelectrica]

While Wags is make 40+ tackles per match I don't mind him in the team.

Although if our attack wasn't so anemic then perhaps no one would be required to make 40+ tackles :?

 

[Hollywood Jesus]

my problem with Morris,a nd the reason I agree with him being dropped, is his lack of leadership in these tough times. We did not buy Morris to be a bit player in our team, we bought him because he has the ability to lead and dominate a team, and to carry others with him.

Your organisers/leaders on the field most often wear the 6, 7 and 9 jumpers. I'm not talking about captains here (which I believe he has the potential to become) but instead those blokes who direct the team and give it structure. As such, here are our options for organisers/leaders in 2004.

Wagon - Couldn't organise his way out of a wet paper bag on the most organised day of his life if he had an electrified organising machine.

Webster - not enough game time, plays the part of a bit player in the team.

Witt - Not playing First Grade.

Thorman - Still new to the Club and was always gonna need time to settle in when he made the Top Grade.

Dykes - Should be shot and turfed out of the Club forever.

And that leaves Morris. Yet when we are behind the goal line, waiting for the opposition to convert a try, he does not stand up and give directions. In general play he does not make many calls or direct the backline.

Basically, while he may be having some decent games as a hooker, he is not fulfilling his full potential as a leader. So punt him for a bit and see if it gets him going.

 

[Mighty Tiger]

I think you will find that Morris yet again questioned Smiths tatics and well being dropped is something that happens to even the best player who questions anything whilst Smith runs the show :roll:

He was dropped earlier in the season for something very simular but ended up playing off the bench in which hardly anyone could work out why

Smith is a busted and should be shown the door now before the place falls apart!!!