Parramatta may be lucky to make the 8 next year

[Avenger]

Our backs are a little thin, they will be even thinner if we get some injuries, which is more then likely to happen if Grothe and Tahu continue with their recent run of injuries.

This is only a gut feeling but I have a feeling that Josh Davis will get a chance in the centres next year and may do something special. Marcus Perenera is another who may answer our number 6 question. PJ Marsh is in my opinion with Riddell our most important signing and will prove to all that he is the long term solution to our halfback woes and finally lift the number 7 curse which has been at our beloved Parra since the departure of one P. Sterling.

 

[Forum Idiot]

great first post ronny. i like your hard hitting pesimistic style. nothing like a spot of truth to stop the bullshit hype that we got caught up in this year.
we need more posts in here like that from you and a select group of others. theres a few people here like ron and hurri, parraren and newmaj that really know their stuff. the rest of you are just f**king idiots and you give me migraines with your f**king rubbish.
the people i mentioned are the compass that keeps this sinking ship on course. time to cut some dead weight i think.

 

[Suitman]

Thats it just cut us pieces before a ball has even been kicked, it's like some of you so called fans don't want us to win.
WHATS DOING!!!

its not that we dont want to win .. its just that we are sick of having high expectation every year and then end up being dissapointed ....

I'm one of those people, and am sick of it, i knew this year would be a failure when some on this bored had us installed as premiers, the reason, i'm never biased, i look at thinks logically and realistically.

So do I mate......but that's just not good enough for some.
You have to have Blue and Gold shit on your tongue to make it in some people's eyes around here.
I think your evaluation is spot on. I also hope you are wrong. For the good of the Eels. ;-)

Suity

 

[Ron Jeremy]

Thanks alot Suity, absolutely, i've always said i hope i'm proven wrong, i bleed blue & gold but am sick of certain aspects being overl looked.

BTW

Hahahahha thanks FI, don't see enough of you in here anymore.

 

[Eels Dude]

Well thought out article Ron. I agree with a lot of what you say, i am also worried about the lack of depth we have in our backline. Some are saying that Ben Smith etc are going to be the next big thing but i'm yet to be convinced, it is more wishful thinking from Parra fans rather than experienced knowledge. I think we can be a force next yr, but we'll need a bit of luck with injuries and form. I think every player in our first choice 17 next year are potentially great players, but potential is the key word. We need consistency from those guys, a coach that can bring the best out of his squad every single week and most importantly they need to play as a team. I reckon we can make the 8 and be a competition force, but at the same it wouldn't surprise me to see us fail.

 

[Eels Dude]

great first post ronny. i like your hard hitting pesimistic style. nothing like a spot of truth to stop the bullsh*t hype that we got caught up in this year.
we need more posts in here like that from you and a select group of others. theres a few people here like ron and hurri, parraren and newmaj that really know their stuff. the rest of you are just f***ing idiots and you give me migraines with your f***ing rubbish.
the people i mentioned are the compass that keeps this sinking ship on course. time to cut some dead weight i think.

How about you just piss off. If you're gonna come in here and call all but a few of posters "f**king idiots who post f**king rubbish then don't bother posting in this forum. Whether you agree with people or not, we're all Parramatta fans and as fellow Parramatta supporters deserve your respect. If you're not going to do that then get lost and don't come back!

 

[Ron Jeremy]

Well thought out article Ron. I agree with a lot of what you say, i am also worried about the lack of depth we have in our backline. Some are saying that Ben Smith etc are going to be the next big thing but i'm yet to be convinced, it is more wishful thinking from Parra fans rather than experienced knowledge. I think we can be a force next yr, but we'll need a bit of luck with injuries and form. I think every player in our first choice 17 next year are potentially great players, but potential is the key word. We need consistency from those guys, a coach that can bring the best out of his squad every single week and most importantly they need to play as a team. I reckon we can make the 8 and be a competition force, but at the same it wouldn't surprise me to see us fail.

Thanks mate.

Absolutely, potential is a word i hate!!!!, it means nothing!

We are paying footballers to perform....not for their potential.

My problem is we cannot rely on having little injury concerns this year, when you consider our past couple of years, contingencys need to be made, thats why i'm very worried about depth as injuries will occur, i'll bet my manhood on that...and that we will see broken bones in some next year ( boy i hope not )

 

[Suitman]

Well thought out article Ron. I agree with a lot of what you say, i am also worried about the lack of depth we have in our backline. Some are saying that Ben Smith etc are going to be the next big thing but i'm yet to be convinced, it is more wishful thinking from Parra fans rather than experienced knowledge. I think we can be a force next yr, but we'll need a bit of luck with injuries and form. I think every player in our first choice 17 next year are potentially great players, but potential is the key word. We need consistency from those guys, a coach that can bring the best out of his squad every single week and most importantly they need to play as a team. I reckon we can make the 8 and be a competition force, but at the same it wouldn't surprise me to see us fail.

Hey E. Dude,

That pretty much sums it up.
I am tired of hearing about "the next big thing" at Parra.
I get excited about hearing about player after player with "potential", but not much of it has come to fruition for years......and I mean years.
Luke Burt - seriously........the wraps he had on him in 2000 - and what since then...........stuff all really. I'm not blaming Luke or criticizing him - he is a great club player.....but that's all.
Steve and Michael Witt were the next BIG things. I'm still waiting.

Really, we haven't had any REAL EXCITING talent come through the ranks since the Hindy's, Vella, Cayless and Lyon in 99-01.
But real talent - aka Kenny/Sterling for 20 years.

So before people start getting OVERLY excited about our emerging talent and the depth thereof, just remember which club has three teams in the Grand Final next weekend, and which team has none.

Suity

 

[Jake the snake]

I agree with everyone. We should not get ahead of ourselves with player like Burt and Peterson and Vella still in our team it doesn't make us a force.

As for Micheal Witt I have been hearing some intresting news regarding him but I promised myselfI would not start rumours.

I believe Smith is expecting Tim Smith to step up mid season next year and dont be surprised to see young Smith given a fair go in the Trials.

 

[Ron Jeremy]

Gee i hope so.

Witt- is another player dubbed with that word " potential" but to be frank is hardly what he's made out to be?, sure he has mongrel....and plenty of it which to me is a paramount.

But i don't believe he has the ball skills to cut it, i haven't seen anything to convince me otherwise, he may need a player like Smith to come in and take soem pressure of him or start him from the bench?

 

[Jake the snake]

Witt has not got the ball skills thats for sure and the coaching staff have realised this.

 

[Ron Jeremy]

are you certain about that Tim Smith rumour Jake, are you pretty sure about that, i'm all for blooding juniors...and we won't see his ability untill he's given a shot.

 

[blackfriday]

whatever happens it'll be better than this season.

 

[Pazza]

No body wants to give young players the time to develop into first grade. Whats the bet that when Tim Smith gets a shot at first grade and doesnt set the world on fire that your all going to go write him off. The problem with you guys is the fact that we have been playing poorly for 3 seasons now and your all after the quick fix. No body is willing (including the coach (cause his job is on the line)) to give these kids time. If Smith had just left Witt at Halfback then him and the team would be much better off for it. Smith wasn't willing to give J Cayless and Tonga the time to develop in first grade and look whats happen. They go to clubs willing to give them a shot and they develop into rep class players. Ryan and I Hindmarsh when they first cracked first grade the side wasn't traveling to well. Comming near last early 2000. But they grew into first grade and where a huge reason why 2001 was so successful. Ryan might be the Bulldogs captain next season. Would you have seen that coming after he had played a handful of games in 2000? Instead our juniours get stuck behind losers like Pearson, Crouch, Langi etc.

The sooner we get a new coach the earlier this joke can end.

 

[strider]

It seems the NRL is getting tighter every season....alot of the poorer performing teams are getting their act together.

There is enough talent in most sides to give them a shot at winning games, but the big thing is their confidence in eachother.....who would have picked the Cowboys to be 1 try shy of a GF appearance even 3/4 of the way through this season? - I don't think anyone.

Making the top 8 isn't even an easy task any more.....you have to play well most the season.

Elite Teams: Roosters, Bulldogs
Very Good Teams: Panthers, Broncos
Good Teams: Cowboys, Storm, St George, Newcastle
Decent Teams: Tigers, Raiders, Sharks, Warriors
Can Have Their Day Teams: Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs

Where do we fit?....I'd like it to be at least the "Very Good Teams", but I'd say we are around the "Decent Teams"....which means there are only 2 teams definitely behind us.

A team like the Warriors could well click again and be a real force....the Sea Eagles have some potential....Tigers have shown some good signs and the Raiders and Sharks are iffy, but could do well.

Just making the top 8 is an effort these days.......we've gotta be consistant next season - stick in the top 6 early on and not have to play catch up like the last few seasons.

blah blah blah.....I'll shut up now

 

[strider]

Instead our juniours get stuck behind losers like Pearson, Crouch, Langi etc

Spot on....at least next season we have replaced the quantity of average players with a few quality players and the younger guys will be next in line to step up when the chance comes.

 

[Suitman]

No body wants to give young players the time to develop into first grade. Whats the bet that when Tim Smith gets a shot at first grade and doesnt set the world on fire that your all going to go write him off. The problem with you guys is the fact that we have been playing poorly for 3 seasons now and your all after the quick fix. No body is willing (including the coach (cause his job is on the line)) to give these kids time. If Smith had just left Witt at Halfback then him and the team would be much better off for it. Smith wasn't willing to give J Cayless and Tonga the time to develop in first grade and look whats happen. They go to clubs willing to give them a shot and they develop into rep class players. Ryan and I Hindmarsh when they first cracked first grade the side wasn't traveling to well. Comming near last early 2000. But they grew into first grade and where a huge reason why 2001 was so successful. Ryan might be the Bulldogs captain next season. Would you have seen that coming after he had played a handful of games in 2000? Instead our juniours get stuck behind losers like Pearson, Crouch, Langi etc.

The sooner we get a new coach the earlier this joke can end.

You know what Pazza?

Our coach has had 8 seasons now. 8.
And plenty of people are making comments like yours.

Wouldn't it be obvious from that, that maybe we have been heading down the wrong path for just a year or two too long now???

The Roosters made the Grand Final in 2002 and you know what?......they sacked their coach because they demanded better. And they got it.
Two more seasons at the top.


What do we do??? Settle for "the future will save us".

That's why clubs like the Bulldogs and Roosters and Bronco's are always up there.
Professional, determined, bloody minded. Just listen to Ricky Stuart at every press conference.
He has the shits about everything. Thats why I hate him. But he displays passion. Even after a win.
What do we see after EVERY press conference - win or lose?
Timid bollocks.

Suity

 

[bartman]

Good initial analysis Ron. Our weaker spots for mine in 05 are centres, props and halves - weak in terms of being the difference between being Parra a good team and an elite/top four team. Obviously we will all support them and hope for the best no matter what, but analysis and debate around our team should be welcome (especially in the otherwise boring off season...).

 

[bartman]

When we have to talk about Widders and Wagon as alternatives for starting centres, then there's an indication of our depth right there...

It's clear we badly need someone to step up in the three-quarters in 05 - either an established player that hasn't lived up to their promised form, or a junior ready to break out of their skin and make an impact. When you look through names like Burt, Graham, Ben Smith, Anderson, O'Dwyer, Mateo, Perenara M, Josh Davis (isn't he still at school?), it's hard to settle on someone you'd be confident to partner Tahu in the centres... Hope and cheer yes, but feel confident about?

RJ, you may be right and Wagon may indeed be what Smith is thinking of in the centres. Put a few fast guys around him, and he could play like a later day Cronin role? But the Crow could always set up and pass to those fast guys around him, and I'm not sure Wags can do that job consistently in our backline attack? :?

 

[MarkInTheStands]

See the problem I have with this is that Pessimism = Reality when I don't believe it does.

This year just past we wanted to compete and I can tell you it wasn't the back line that let us down it was the halves. You want this football side to go well, you need to get the halves right, and if you want the premiership you are going to have to have the halves right from their first run on the field.

Now I have heard so many talk about PJ and his move to halfback and then the Pessimism that he might not even make it on the Park. How about we split the difference and ease him back into the game, at replacement hooker for when "Pig" gets tired. Witt, Morris, Marsh sounds like an attacking nightmare to me for most other clubs.

A number of posters have bought up where we think other teams are and were we are. If I may, let’s go through a method of defending against the eels 2002 - 2004.

Tackle 1, Best Option, defend how ever.
Tackle 2, Shut down Morris going for a sneaky.
Tackle 3, Catch Vella / Person as the jump into you.
Tackle 4, See tackle 3 or watch for Hindmarsh
Tackle 5, Intimidate Dykes/ Morris.

It is an easy plan, but next year, I don't think it will be that easy why?

Morrison, on one Side, Hindmarsh on the other. Riddell Up the middle or Marsh with speed.

If you are defending all these, Tahu, and Grothe are going to take you apart, and if all else fails, call in the Bomb Squad.

Depth is a funny thing. You don't know you have it till half way through the season.

Having seen at least every home game of the Premier League, I can tell you that Brett Anderson has a great fullbacks mind and excellent scrabbling defence.

Meteo is a big lad that could fit into Lock just as much as 5 / 8 th, O' Dwyer is going to be a good centre or lock; Burt has attack, but might be better as a winger.

Hey why do wingers score so many tries? Because they are being marked by wingers!

If I may I would like to run through a Starting Line up then a premies line up to see if we have anything at all okay.

NRL

1, McKinnion
2, Burt
3, Wagon
4, Tahu
5, Grothe
6, Morris
7, Witt
8, Cayless
9, Riddel
10, Cannings
11, Hindmarsh
12, Morrison
13, O'Dwyer

14, Marsh
15, Robertson
16, Vella,
17, Widders.

PL

1, Reddy or Anderson
2, Gruszka
3, Delaney
4, B Smith
5, M. Petersen
6, Meteo
7, Smith
8, Stringer (if Fit else Peek)
9, Jones
10, Tsoulos
11, Afamasaga
12, Pai
13, Muckett

14, Ellis
15, Curtis
16, Peek
17, Mowbray

And you know what, I wasn't fumbling around looking for backs, I was looking for a rake for the premier league side more than anything else.

I think if we go with this years back line we will be a little thin on the ground, but if we go with some forwards working as backs, things will look a whole lot different.

As for this year, I knew we didn't have what it took to take the premiership at the tigers trial match, but I didn't want a premiership this year I just wanted the finals.

Unfortunately that fell through, such is life. Having said that I have revised next year’s goal a little higher, I want the top 4. 2006 is premiership time I believe because it will be the fairy tale.

Also on the Suit's point about Murray

Murray's Roosters made the GF in 2000, and failed to make it in 2001 but made the semis, in 2001 he was fired. 2002, is rookie coach win for Stuart, who in my opinion inherited a great unit from Murray.

But now Stuart has won one and lost one, if he goes one and two, will there be pressure on Stuart ???