Optimism......

[The Colonel]

At the moment I'm not sure if that word really means a lot to me. I've tried to find positives and its taken me near on two days to start talking about what happened.

First and foremost, I respect and admire Brian Smith for what he did to turn the club around when he first took over so I say this with a heavy heart -

Brian, you need to stand aside and let someone else take the reins.

There is something amiss at the club and I do not think that the attiude that exists will be anything more than what it is while you are there. "Teaching" the players on a blackboard at halftime is getting us nowhere and your faith in players that are not getting the job done whilst kids who are busting themsleves to get a go are languishing in first division will only see them leave. Brown showed what a bit of faith in his young players can do, its turned around a Melbourne club and has had some affect on a Wests Tigers outfit as well. These kids have the talent and deserve a shot after what went down on Friday.

Secondly, we need to let the players know how we, the supporters, feel. To watch them come out of the dressing sheds and head upstairs for their warm down and see some individuals laughing on there way up damn near shattered me. I saw grown men close to tears behind the sheds at the end of the game and I'm not embarassed to say that I close to it as well. Pride in your club and your jumper dictates how a club goes and quite clearly some of these individuals do not share the same passion for it as I do.

Wade McKinnon is one of few - He busted himself and didn't stop trying even at the end. The look on his face said it all - he was crushed. What made me happy was that he still wore his jumper - because he was probably one of few that showed some pride in it.

I disagree with Goose Gould when he says we don't have the cattle - their are footballers in our club that can match it with the best of them but they aren't getting a go. I disagree to with Sterlo's comments that a change mid year is not good for the club - A change in direction and attitude helped Melbourne so I can't see why it can't help our club.

I think the board needs to seriously consider the tenure of Brian at the helm if he won't and from what I have seen on Friday night it may just happen. I think they need to pursue the likes of Dean Pay and John Cartwright now before its to late.

I'm a Parramatta supporter and have been near all my life and I'll continue to be so - that belief will never waiver even if we were to take the wooden spoon for the next five years . However, I was once a firm believer in Brian Smith - my respect for the man will not change because of this but I just don't believe he is the man to do the job anymore.

 

[Twizzle]

I don't think his ego will let him stand aside.

I think the only way he will go is if he is sacked.

I agree sonthing has to be done, especially if there is any thruth in Hadleys latest rant.

 

[Suitman]

That is beautifully put Sanders, and my thoughts precisely.

I suppose I have always been a little more outspoken than yourself, but you have put into words exactly how I feel.
I am dismayed about what you siad about the players laughing after the game.

There are serious attitude problems there at the moment. To me, it does not seem a happy club.
And, what I saw at half time on Friday night near shattered me. Whiteboards are for Tuesdays. Friday night is passion night.
I respect Brian Smith. I like Brian Smith. I just don't think he can do any more for the club than he already has.
I will be sad when he goes, but I will also see that that will be the day when I can once again be positive about our great club.

Suity

 

[noosa-eel]

I too couldn't believe what i was watching at half time in the dressing rooms.The dragons were all fired up ready to go and our boys are all sitting around scratching their heads.......what the f**k was that.

I havn't entered into the discussions on Brian smith should go etc etc but after what i saw on Friday night it's bl***y obvious we have some major problems.

 

[Eelectrica]

It's a game of emotion and whatever Brian is doing, it is draining the players of all emotion. We've seen pretty much every player in the team perform much better than the putrid displays that have been dished out lately.
Brian, Steve Waugh knew when he had nothing left, a blind man with a cane can see that you've got nothing left. Time to retire and get behind a microphone.

 

[Suitman]

Furthermore, I have no doubt that we have the cattle to win a Premiership.

We just need someone there who can get them to Moo.

Suity

 

[Suitman]

Brian, Steve Waugh knew when he had nothing left,

Actually, Steve Waugh had plenty left.
He just got out BEFORE HE HAD NOTHING LEFT.

Suity

 

[Belly in Brisvegas]

Brian, Steve Waugh knew when he had nothing left,

Actually, Steve Waugh had plenty left.
He just got out BEFORE HE HAD NOTHING LEFT.

Suity

Stop it Suity...I am still emotional about God departing....sniff....

 

[thedux]

It seems clear to everyone but Brian himself that he has run out of ideas. The biggest factor for me is how does a side go from being the 2nd top scorer to being 8th after more creative players have been introduced. The game-plans that BS has brought in have obviously stifled any flair which seems to be the underlying problem with his style if you talk to any of the ex-eels who have regained from since leaving.

 

[The Engineers Room]

One point about Gould. His comments about second phase play and angled runners was valid, but we do have the players. We bought big but not too smart. However, we do have eager young players who will bleed for this club, they just need organisation and structure. The Parramatta team just hasn't got the same structure and therefore the dominance that is required in the NRL.

Dominant tackles are important and we don't get them because of our defensive style. Umbrella needs to make a return or atleast something that means we are meeting them with pace and the collisons will go our way. Also in attack I am sick of seeing players running back into the markers and starting flat footed. Even if they have to be told:

Left Prop and Left second row sprint onto it first ruck.
right ones do second ruck
lock and left prop third ruck
and two second rows do the fourth one wth the other prop running the decoy in the next play that is either a kick (inside 40) or a backline rehearsed play outside own half.