The Parramatta Eels take on the Gold Coast Titans at ANZ Stadium tonight in Round 24 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
Previewing the game thanks to betting.club, Blue & Gold Assistant Coach Pete Gentle says the side is prepared to bounce back after last week’s disappointing performance, with the men in the middle to set the tone for the side this week.
“It was a very disappointing performance last week. The previous six weeks, we did so many things right and there was not one of those evident in the game last week. We have a good hard long look at it, and we will be better.” Gentle said.
“This week has been about getting back to what we were doing the previous six weeks when we won. It’s all the little things, our kick chase, our kick pressure, our field position, just every part of our game fell apart.” Gentle added.
“We just have to get back to playing our footy”
The Eels take on the Gold Coast Titans this week, and despite their position on the ladder, Gentle knows they are still a dangerous opposition.
However the main focus will be on themselves.
“They are very dangerous. It doesn’t reflect where they sit on the table, the talent they have there.” Gentle said.
“I know they have had their issues this week, but when that happens, teams tend to come out fighting so we are on notice that we are up against a completely different Gold Coast outfit this week.”
“They have always been a resilient team. What we have seen the last few weeks is probably not part of what we have known them to be known for but we have to worry about ourselves.” Gentle added.
“We can’t get too caught up about what the Gold Coast are doing or what is happening there. We have or own jobs to do and we have to do them a lot better.”
Gentle did however pinpoint the battle in the middle to go a long way in determining the result, with captain Ryan James one of the key players.
“Ryan James always plays well against us too so our forwards are on notice that we will need to take care of him,” Gentle said.
“They play a lot of our footy off the back of him, and Peatsy plays a lot of their footy off the back of him too so he is a key to their forward pack.”
“If you don’t stop the men up front, the halves are going to run all over you and the outside backs are going to get you. It starts up front and we will need to get on top of them in the middle of the park.” Gentle added.
The Eels welcome back Bevan French to the side with Gentle saying the return of the fullback will be a welcome addition.
“Will did a good job last week, but it is his position, Bev.” Gentle said.
“He was missed last week, I don’t think he could of changed what happened, but he was missed and he is welcomed back into the team.”
