Dyldam Parramatta Eels Assistant Coach Pete Gentle says the Blue and Gold will need to be ready to play their own style of football against a desperate Wests Tigers side in the vital Round 17 clash.
With both sides eager to claim the two points to build some momentum into the back end of the season, Gentle said it is imperative to come away with the win at ANZ Stadium tonight.
“They are in a similar situation to what we are, and they are desperate as we are so it should make for a pretty good game,” Gentle said.
“We have built a bit of momentum the last 6-7 weeks, we probably haven’t got the results every week, but we are building there and building a bit of momentum.”
“Coming into the bye, it is imperative we get the two points this week.” Gentle added.
The Eels suffered a 6-22 defeat to the hands of the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium in Round 5, 2015, and Gentle says the Blue and Gold will not be dragged into a grinding style of football.
“We got caught the last time we played them into a grinding sort of slog, which was a pretty ordinary game really, and we got conned a little bit in that game,” Gentle said reflecting on the previous encounter.
“We will go out there to play our game.”
With the Wests Tigers missing several key positions, Gentle said the Eels will still need to be ready to face a side with plenty of dangers.
“Even though Farah and Woods are missing, they are still a decent side there,” Gentle said.
“Good halves and a good young spine, with Tedesco out the back who is dangerous, plus their forwards are very good so we will need to be up for it.”
The Eels have changes to their side that defeated the St George Illawarra Dragons last week, with a backline reshuffle due to Will Hopoate’s Origin selection, along with the return of Manu Ma’u.
“Manu has trained the house down the last couple of weeks,” Gentle said.
“It is good to get him back into the team and give us a bit of strike out on the edge.”
“Pauli and Tepai have been doing a good job, but now ‘Gowie’ can move back into the middle and it will work well for us.”
The Eels will take on the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium on Monday 6 July, kick off at 7pm. Eels Members will also enjoy free reciprocal Member access to the game - click through for more information.
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