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Eels coach Brad Arthur uses footy’s scariest phrase as he tries to convince fans his job is safe despite the ‘s terrible form.
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur is adamant that he benefited from “100%” support from club officials amid declining fortunes and maintained this same level.
optimistic that young Blaize Talagi will stay with the Eels.
It was an unfortunate choice of words for the 49-year-old, as football superstition says sacked managers who claim to be “100 per cent” backed – or pretend to say they have “100 percent support” from management – definitely planning to get fired.
With just three wins from their opening eight games, Arthur’s side sit 12th on the NRL table ahead of Friday’s match against the high-flying Broncos in Brisbane without captain and fullback Clint Gutherson.
Playmaker Dylan Brown has been named co-captain for the match, and Talagi, 19, will wear the number 1 shirt in a big show of confidence from the coach who has called the teenage star “the future of club” .
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Talagi has reportedly failed to activate the option in his contract to stay at Parramatta until 2025 and could receive offers from across the league, but Arthur has plans for him to become a potential long-term successor to Gutherson.
“All the signs from us are that he is the future of the club,” Arthur said on Thursday.
‘I spoke to Blaize – he’s just a kid, so I try not to have too many conversations like that with him and just keep them football-related – but the only question I asked him: Does he want to be at the club?
He told me yes.
That’s half the battle.
‘The club has worked with its management to try to resolve the issue.
Both sides have worked hard to achieve this.
The Eels have lost four of their last five games following last season’s finals no-show, leaving Arthur’s long-term future in the spotlight.
But he said the support from within helped him “not be afraid of the coach”, paving the way for Talagi’s decision and taking the pressure of coaching off his career after 11 seasons in charge.
Speculation doesn’t bother me,” he said.
‘I know I have (the Eels’) support and I mean 100%.
I’m grateful for that.
“It allows me to still coach without fear and bring people like Blaize into the team at full-back this week, knowing that it’s the best thing for the club.
” With Mitch Moses given the chance to return from his broken foot for next week’s match against Melbourne in the Magic Round, Arthur said giving Brown the opportunity to captain was good timing for everyone in the club.
“When I talked to (Brown) about being captain, he couldn’t stop smiling,” Arthur said.
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