According to Dyldam Parramatta Eel hooker Nathan Peats, the Blue and Gold outlook for 2014 is free of the memories of the past two seasons.
The new recruit says the team's focus is firmly on the season ahead: first up, their Friday night clash with the Brisbane Broncos.
"It’s a whole new squad and new coaching staff and there hasn’t been talk about that at all,” Peats said.
“It doesn’t really bother me how they’ve gone the last two years, it’s 2014 and we’re worried about this year so we’re not gonna get ahead of ourselves.”
The Eels are coming off the back of a 32-16 win over an in-form Penrith side, but Peats was quick to point out there are still 22 weeks remaining in the competition.
“Obviously I missed the Roosters game, so for me it’s only our third game together as a spine, as a forward pack and as a team so there is still plenty of time to go to get better,” he said.
Since arriving from the Rabbitohs in November, Peats has been a fan favourite for the Blue and Gold. With two tries under his belt from the Eels' last two matches, he's still modest about his contribution to the team.
“There’s always improvement," Peats said.
"I’ve got three 80 minute games out [so far], which is what I came here for: to get long minutes.”
“I’m a week-to-week progress, I’m still learning off Brad and the coaching staff what I have to do and just trying to improve myself,” he said.
“I’m not gonna get ahead of myself at all, like I said, I’m worried about the team, we’ve had two wins, two losses and we’re trying to make that three wins this week.”
The Eels travel to Suncorp Stadium this Friday to face the Brisbane Broncos, who are coming off a 36-20 win over the previously undefeated Dragons.
“It’s always a hard game up there on a Friday night and at Suncorp; there will be a big crowd up there and I like playing there, I enjoy the atmosphere, so we’ll start today and focus on what we have to do this week.”
