- Parramatta have lost four of their last five
- Eels are currently 12th in the rankings
- Speculation about Arthur’s future abounds
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur is convinced he has ‘100 per cent’ support from club officials amid declining fortunes and maintains the same level of optimism as rising youngster Blaize Talagi will remain with the Eels.
It’s an unfortunate choice of words by the 49-year-old, as football superstition has it that criticized coaches who claim to have “100 per cent” backing – or are told they have “100 per cent backing” ” of the board of directors – they are definitely obliged. Be fired.
With just three wins from their first eight games, Arthur’s side are 12th in the NRL standings ahead of Friday’s clash with the high-flying Broncos in Brisbane without captain and fullback Clint Gutherson.
Playmaker Dylan Brown has been promoted to match co-captain, and 19-year-old Talagi will wear the No. 1 shirt in a huge show of faith from the coach who labeled the teenage star the “future of the club.” “. .
Brad Arthur (pictured left at Parramatta training) has used a very unfortunate choice of words to assure fans he is not about to walk out the door.
The 49-year-old (pictured center in training) has led the Eels to 12th in the standings this year, with the club winning just three of their first eight games.
Talagi reportedly failed to activate an option in his contract to remain at Parramatta until 2025 and may receive offers from across the league, but Arthur already has plans for him as a potential long-term successor to Gutherson.
“All our indications are that he is the future of the club,” Arthur said on Thursday.
“I’ve had a conversation with Blaize; he’s just a kid, so I try not to have too many of these conversations with him and just keep them football-related, but the only question I’ve asked him is: Do you want to be in the club? He said yes. That’s half the battle.
“The club has been working with its management trying to fix something. Both parties have been working hard on that.
“He wants to be here, so everything will take care of itself.”
The Eels’ ability to move up the ladder has taken a major hit with inspirational captain Clint Gutherson (pictured) following knee surgery.
Arthur has called Blaize Talagi (pictured) “the future of the club” but the 19-year-old wants to test his worth with other teams.
The Eels have lost four of their last five games due to missing last season’s finals, putting Arthur’s long-term future in the spotlight.
But he said internal support allowed him to “not train scared”, paving the way for Talagi’s decision and removing the pressure to train during his career after spending 11 seasons in charge.
“(The speculation) doesn’t bother me,” he said.
‘I know I have the support (of the Eels) and I mean it 100 per cent. I am grateful for it.
“It allows me to still be able to train and not train scared and put people in the team like Blaize as a full-back this week, knowing that that is the best for the club.”
With Mitch Moses set to return from his broken foot for next week’s Magic Round clash against Melbourne, Arthur said giving Brown the chance to captain was a good moment for everyone at the club.
“When I told (Brown) about being captain, he couldn’t get the smile off his face,” Arthur said.
