Sea Eagles v Eels - Brad Arthur & Tim Mannah Press Conference
The Parramatta Eels have suffered a disappointing and embarrassing defeat to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Lottoland today says Blue & Gold Head Coach Brad Arthur.
Speaking after the clash, Arthur had nothing but honesty for his side’s performance.
“I told them I was surprised. I didn’t see it coming. Not this week, not last week, not next week not any week. We are very embarrassed with that performance.” Arthur said.
“There was only one team playing today.”
“Sometimes you might get a sense that they are a bit dusty in the warm up or a training session wasn’t great but it doesn’t entitle you to play the way we did because we just didn’t play.” He added.
“We just didn’t have a go.”
“We can only go on the evidence and the actions and the evidence wasn’t great,” Brad said when asked about the defence being called soft.
“We were blown off the park. We weren’t playing the same game.”
Arthur said that the Blue & Gold faithful had every right to be disappointed in that performance.
“The supporters have every right to be disappointed and we are going to make sure it doesn’t happen again.” Arthur said.
“They [the players] need to feel the hurt. We need to show more respect for ourselves, for our Club and for our fans.”
“Me going in there and carrying on like a pork chop is not going to help anyone. We are all hurting, we are embarrassed and we need to make sure we do something about it.” He added.
“Their attitude wasn’t great, you don’t play like that if you come ready to play.”
Blue & Gold captain Tim Mannah echoed Arthur’s feelings.
“No explanation for that performance. Like Brad said, I didn’t see it coming. We just have to get some tough truths this week and be a lot better next week.”
“In many ways, it may be more embarrassing [compared to some of the losses suffered years and years ago] because of the talent we have in our team and how well we know we can play. We definitely expect a lot better from our boys.” He added.
“We have some big issues and some that we need to address ASAP.”
