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Witt: a week to make it right

Hurriflatch

Referee
Messages
22,093
Witt: a week to make it right

Parramatta Eels 2003 rookie of the year, Michael Witt is about to play his first game of the year in the top grade and he believes this week could be the week for the Eels to turn around their run of bad form.
After losing by more than 30 points to a vastly under strength St George Illawarra side at home last weekend, the Eels players were booed from the field by the club supporters as they stretched their losing streak to four matches – all at home.

"I think guys at Parramatta are used to that," Witt said. "I think if we are losing we get a lot of press about us losing but if we are winning we get a lot of press about us winning so I think being at Parramatta you come to terms with that.

"That’s the good thing about footy you always get another week to make things better."

Witt comes into the side as coach Brian Smith bit the bullet and made sweeping changes to his first grade side, dropping the likes of Adam Dykes and John Morris.

Witt will take over at five-eighth from Dykes and will be partnered in the halves by Brit Chris Thorman.

"I think I played 11 weeks in reserve grade (NSW premier league)," said Witt. "It seemed like a lot longer than that but I just stuck in there and I'm glad to get a call up this week.

"I was happy with how I played in first grade last year but that was Smithy's decision and that is something you have got to deal with. So I had to work on my game and I've been doing that in reserve grade. My time's come hopefully."

Smith wanted Witt to show he could take control of a game and "call the shots" and he will get his chance against the Wests Tigers this Sunday, who come into the game on the back of a upset win over the Bulldogs.

"They had a good win there versus the Dogs so they're on a bit of a roll," Witt said. "And they're playing at home so we get our chance on Sunday to knock them off that roll."
 
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11,677
it's been the biggest call from Eels fans all year, and we are two days away from seeing if the call up can do what it did for us last year and kick start our season.

*Fingers crossed*
 

The Colonel

Immortal
Messages
41,992
I'm tense before the game has even started. I think I am placing too much on this game but its either the start of something or just a continuation. I've got a good feeling about this one. ;-)
 

Eels Dude

Coach
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19,065
Even though we won't be expected to win this weekend I will be extremely dissapointed if we lose. The guys have to stand up and play their guts out, put in the best performance of their lives. The players owe us fans something after last week's travesty and unless they show how passionate they can be they aren't going to redeem themselves.
 

Parraren

Bench
Messages
4,100
I think we'll improve with the Witt - Thorman combination in the halves as they have played alot of games together this year in Premier League. The young boys that have been given a shot will also be out to prove a point or two. Ultimately I still think we just won't have enough to win the game. We will be much better than we were last week but I just fear we'll need another week or two with the new guys before they start to click. The Tig's are on a roll, Hodgo will be out to prove himself and Prince just had a blinder in Origin. They are playing at Leichardt Oval as well where they are very hard to beat. We had to make changes and I think it will pay dividends in the long run but I just don't see us turning it all around in one week. I hope i'm wrong though. I think it will be a close one, possibly golden point...
 

fish eel

Immortal
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42,876
I think if we play well and its a close one.....it might do wonders to lift spirits in the club.

If we win, wow, what a huge boost to our stocks that would be.
 

Eels Dude

Coach
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19,065
It's sad to think that only a year ago a game against Wests would be a gimmie, now we're heavy underdogs :(
 

Unreal V

Juniors
Messages
110
If Ricky Stuart tipped Parramatta then thats good enough for me. I feel very excited about this game.

Thorman and Witt will work well together; at the very least they will create opportunities and each has already shown that they can handle the pressure. Thorman to me is not a greedy half back and will pass to his second receiver.

Vella will have a good game and expect big things from Hindmarsh after an ordinary SOO I.

The back line is a big worry especially the pairing of Brett Anderson and Ashley Graham. Three fullbacks and a lock to serve the back line. At least we will be safe under the high ball (unless they spend all day running into each other). Dean Widders only knows one way, forward, he's got a good step and is fast, if they get the ball out wide and watch the intercepts count on Luke Burt to score a try or two.

Like the Idea of Lee Hopkins in the second row, and please someone run off Tsoulos he has a good off load that we have not been taking advantage of.

Expect errors, that is a good thing if the team is trying, in the past we have been playing to safe, forget the completion rate; broken play will be our strength.

If Parramatta use the inside pass and off load we will have success
 

JessEel

Accredited Media Releases
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28,677
"a week to make it right"

poor kid, no pressure tho!

come on witty! [-o<
 

oldmancraigy

Coach
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11,995
Unreal V said:
If Ricky Stuart tipped Parramatta then thats good enough for me. I feel very excited about this game.

Ricky Stuart tipped us to win v the Broncos in round 2 - only person I saw who tipped us then! I reckon Ricky knows that we'll fire up for this one after a miserable performance against the Dragons.

I think the backline has more strike power than previously; 2 ball players and plenty of runners out wide.

Look for Ash Graham to have a big game and make a couple of clean breaks - he'll be keen to erase last week from his memory!!!

Tsoulos has been magnificent this year - keep it up big guy
 

Hurriflatch

Referee
Messages
22,093
I think everyone of the 17 players will be primmed for a big game those who "played" last week will have obvious motivation and the rookies will be looking to cement a spot in the top 17.
 

bartman

Immortal
Messages
41,022
I thought we tend to go alright at Leichhardt Oval? I remember the Eels spoiling Wayne Pearce's retirement game there one year, and I think we also knocked off Balmain in another important game there (maybe their last as a stand alone club?).

Surely the team is going to be revved up for this one?
 

bartman

Immortal
Messages
41,022
Exactly.

And while players, coach and admin all need to share some of the blame etc...

When it's about revving up and passion, that's what you pay a coach and his assistants for.

Brian :arrow: your time is up.
Fitzy, get busy behind the scenes to find a replacement!!
 

JessEel

Accredited Media Releases
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28,677
Redback71 said:
if we loose theres a good chance that well fall to 2nd last on the ladder

where are we now redback? i haven't seen the table...
 
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