Sunday, March 07, 2004
Gould: Why you're a fool
Take a good hard look in the mirror, Phil Gould. Who do you see? A blithering know-nothing?
Today in the Sun Herald, Phil Gould outlined where he thought teams would finish in 2004. While Eels fans have every confidence their team will be battling it out for the minor premiership, Gould reckons the only prize Parra might win this year is the wooden spoon.
In the 2004 Footy Guide, he says: "I honestly do not know what to make of them. I think closer to last than first, though."
Then in his column inside the paper Gould writes: "They have had too many changes to their roster in too short a time. Coach Brian Smith will have to work hard to pull all this together. Need to have a great run without injuries to keep their top team on the paddock".
Gould, you've just lost all credibility with the 1Eyed Eel. What were you thinking?
Let's take a look at his central premise that Parra has had too many changes in our lineup. Judging by the trial games, the starting team for the Eels next week will be: 1. Burt 2. Grothe. 3. Lyon 4. Vaeliki. 5. Peterson. 6. Wagon. 7. Dykes. 9. Cannings. 9. Morris. 10. Vella. 11. Cayless. 12. Hindmarsh. 13. Hopkins.
In other words, only two new players are likely to be in our starting team. Eric Grothe, a former Parra player who will slot back in, and Aaron Cannings - a fantastic addition to the pack.
Most of these players have been with the Eels for a number of years, many still keen to erase the pain from 2001. That's as stable a foundation of players who know each other's game as any team in the comp.
Where all the changes in Parramatta's roster lie, are with the fringe players and Premier League team. We've let go of a number of players who have proven they just weren't up to stepping up to first grade and replaced them with quality players who will keep the pressure on established players for their first grade spot. Yet Gould says: "I am not so sure the players coming in are better than the players going out". Who would you prefer? Cannings or Chan? Pearson or Heckenburg? Crouch or Muckert? Are you serious, Gould?
So Phil, for the first time since 2001 we don't need "a great run without injuries" because we have the players to cover almost any position. While certainly, we need to keep Hindy, Killer and Cayless on the field, the void left by almost any other player can almost be instantly filled.
Mind you, let's keep in mind that Gould thought we'd win the premiership in 2002, when he clearly failed to understand the impact of losing players like Ian Hindmarsh and Brad Drew would have on the team. He never gave the Panthers a hope last year, either. Gould, you really do have no idea.
Today in the Sun Herald, Phil Gould outlined where he thought teams would finish in 2004. While Eels fans have every confidence their team will be battling it out for the minor premiership, Gould reckons the only prize Parra might win this year is the wooden spoon.
In the 2004 Footy Guide, he says: "I honestly do not know what to make of them. I think closer to last than first, though."
Then in his column inside the paper Gould writes: "They have had too many changes to their roster in too short a time. Coach Brian Smith will have to work hard to pull all this together. Need to have a great run without injuries to keep their top team on the paddock".
Gould, you've just lost all credibility with the 1Eyed Eel. What were you thinking?
Let's take a look at his central premise that Parra has had too many changes in our lineup. Judging by the trial games, the starting team for the Eels next week will be: 1. Burt 2. Grothe. 3. Lyon 4. Vaeliki. 5. Peterson. 6. Wagon. 7. Dykes. 9. Cannings. 9. Morris. 10. Vella. 11. Cayless. 12. Hindmarsh. 13. Hopkins.
In other words, only two new players are likely to be in our starting team. Eric Grothe, a former Parra player who will slot back in, and Aaron Cannings - a fantastic addition to the pack.
Most of these players have been with the Eels for a number of years, many still keen to erase the pain from 2001. That's as stable a foundation of players who know each other's game as any team in the comp.
Where all the changes in Parramatta's roster lie, are with the fringe players and Premier League team. We've let go of a number of players who have proven they just weren't up to stepping up to first grade and replaced them with quality players who will keep the pressure on established players for their first grade spot. Yet Gould says: "I am not so sure the players coming in are better than the players going out". Who would you prefer? Cannings or Chan? Pearson or Heckenburg? Crouch or Muckert? Are you serious, Gould?
So Phil, for the first time since 2001 we don't need "a great run without injuries" because we have the players to cover almost any position. While certainly, we need to keep Hindy, Killer and Cayless on the field, the void left by almost any other player can almost be instantly filled.
Mind you, let's keep in mind that Gould thought we'd win the premiership in 2002, when he clearly failed to understand the impact of losing players like Ian Hindmarsh and Brad Drew would have on the team. He never gave the Panthers a hope last year, either. Gould, you really do have no idea.
