AlexTheEel
Juniors
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- 1,762
As some of you may already know I am a Brian Smith supporter. Whether I have agreed with certain decsions he may have made I still respected them because I knew Brian would have good mertis for making it.
Over the last few weeks I must admit I have had my doubts about whether he is the right man for the job. Spending too much time at a club can have side effcts and it is one of the greatest challenges facing a coach. Its easy to come into a club, make your mark and enjoy instant success but maintaining that over a long period of time is a challenge.
Brian strikes me as a man who is not affraid of a challenge. Despite what people have being saying about him I honeslty belive he has a passion and love for the Parramatta Eels and an equally high passion and love for success. I often ask myself what I (being passionate and die hard Eels fan) would do in the same sitaution if I were coach at the club. Would I walk away, leaving the club I love in a mess or would I grit my teeth , absorb the crticism and work hard to fix things up. I like anyone else who honestly loves the club what not be able to live with myslef if I picked the first option. Abandoning anything I love in a time of need would kill me.
Some say that if Brian had any self pride he would step aside. Thats bullshit. Anyone with self pride would not walk away. Thats the easy thing to do. If it meant working 5 times harder, maybe having to experience further lows and criticism, I would do it soley for the love of the club.
Brian is a smart man. He knows the game inside out. Anyone that has heard him speak about the game would not dispute this. Fair enough he has let alot of players go but how many of these players would have been what they are without Smith's guidance.
I often read papers proving an entire team of players that have left the club. The fact is that team would be millions over the salary cap. I think some people forget that the NRL is not like European soccer. You can't just buy whoever you want for any amount. A perfect example is Brett Hodgson. Last year Brett hardley played for us. He had injury problem after injury problem and when he did play his form was bad. Brett had recived an offer from the Tigers that really would have been suitable after Stage or Origin 1 2002. Smithy/Parra had to make a decision wheher to match the offer or use the money elsewhere. They decided with promising players like Ash Grham and Luke Burt already at the club and a few younsters coming through, as well as being able to get Wade McKinnon for a small sum they would be better off spending the money elsewhere.
Its very easy to look back in hindisght and say that Hodgo's form so far this season probably deserves that salary but at the time I think the decision was right.
As for our current sqaud, if I was to lay a finger on our biggest problem last season it would have been go forward. Our forward apck was being domianted week after week. Brian attempted to do this by signing some good forwards. Fair enough it hasn't worked how he would have liked but at least he tried. Again its easy to look back in hindsight.
Tim Sheens was on radio today and he said the key to success is having all players avialable. Already this year Brian has had to deal with losing 2 international centres, his captain, his main go forward man in Aaron cannings, as well as other minor injuries and suspensons.Having a full team is something he has not had since 2001. Add to that the disruption of the Jamie Lyon sage as well as certain sections in the media unfairly attacking him, its been a hard time.
After considering all this there is only one man i want and think that can dig us out of this hole.
BRIAN SMITH.
Over the last few weeks I must admit I have had my doubts about whether he is the right man for the job. Spending too much time at a club can have side effcts and it is one of the greatest challenges facing a coach. Its easy to come into a club, make your mark and enjoy instant success but maintaining that over a long period of time is a challenge.
Brian strikes me as a man who is not affraid of a challenge. Despite what people have being saying about him I honeslty belive he has a passion and love for the Parramatta Eels and an equally high passion and love for success. I often ask myself what I (being passionate and die hard Eels fan) would do in the same sitaution if I were coach at the club. Would I walk away, leaving the club I love in a mess or would I grit my teeth , absorb the crticism and work hard to fix things up. I like anyone else who honestly loves the club what not be able to live with myslef if I picked the first option. Abandoning anything I love in a time of need would kill me.
Some say that if Brian had any self pride he would step aside. Thats bullshit. Anyone with self pride would not walk away. Thats the easy thing to do. If it meant working 5 times harder, maybe having to experience further lows and criticism, I would do it soley for the love of the club.
Brian is a smart man. He knows the game inside out. Anyone that has heard him speak about the game would not dispute this. Fair enough he has let alot of players go but how many of these players would have been what they are without Smith's guidance.
I often read papers proving an entire team of players that have left the club. The fact is that team would be millions over the salary cap. I think some people forget that the NRL is not like European soccer. You can't just buy whoever you want for any amount. A perfect example is Brett Hodgson. Last year Brett hardley played for us. He had injury problem after injury problem and when he did play his form was bad. Brett had recived an offer from the Tigers that really would have been suitable after Stage or Origin 1 2002. Smithy/Parra had to make a decision wheher to match the offer or use the money elsewhere. They decided with promising players like Ash Grham and Luke Burt already at the club and a few younsters coming through, as well as being able to get Wade McKinnon for a small sum they would be better off spending the money elsewhere.
Its very easy to look back in hindisght and say that Hodgo's form so far this season probably deserves that salary but at the time I think the decision was right.
As for our current sqaud, if I was to lay a finger on our biggest problem last season it would have been go forward. Our forward apck was being domianted week after week. Brian attempted to do this by signing some good forwards. Fair enough it hasn't worked how he would have liked but at least he tried. Again its easy to look back in hindsight.
Tim Sheens was on radio today and he said the key to success is having all players avialable. Already this year Brian has had to deal with losing 2 international centres, his captain, his main go forward man in Aaron cannings, as well as other minor injuries and suspensons.Having a full team is something he has not had since 2001. Add to that the disruption of the Jamie Lyon sage as well as certain sections in the media unfairly attacking him, its been a hard time.
After considering all this there is only one man i want and think that can dig us out of this hole.
BRIAN SMITH.