For a man very much under the pump, Parramatta coach Stephen Kearney cannot be accused of letting the pressure of the Eels’ miserable start to the NRL season get to him.
The 39-year-old, widely recognised as one of the good guys of the NRL, has remained a calm figure despite his side’s 0-3 start to the season – which places them at the bottom of the table as the only team without a win.
However, he’s found himself regularly batting away questions about his future and explaining why the Eels are struggling under his leadership, ahead of Friday night’s western Sydney derby with Penrith.
Under Kearney, Paramatta have got off to their worst start to a season since 1991, when they lost their opening seven fixtures.
And his record of winning just six games from 27 since his arrival last year gives more ammunition to his critics who say he’s not the man for the job.
The former Kiwi Test star refused to be drawn on whether he was aware of the problems he would face when he was offered the job, but admits they’re far bigger than he first imagined.
“I didn’t know it was going to be as big a task as this,” Kearney said.
“Not until you are in the role can you see how a club operates.
“Coming in there was a great deal to fix up and that’s the plan I am on.
“We’ve turned over a number of players in 12 months and it’s a process the fans have to be patient with.
“I know they don’t want to hear that, but we’re desperate to make things up to them.”
One of things Kearney is fixing up is the club’s recruitment policy, which has been the biggest frustration to Eels supporters.
Seven former Eels juniors, allowed to leave the club, scored 11 tries between them in round three, vindicating Kearney’s decision to axe the club’s recruitment team and bring in the well-respected Peter Nolan from Brisbane.
But despite all of Kearney’s off-field planning, it’s the team’s fortunes on the field that will keep the wolves at bay.
Last Saturday’s 42-6 surrender to North Queensland was described by Kearney as unacceptable and said his players owed it to their supporters to put things right against local rivals Penrith.
“I’m very mindful that there’s been some big changes at the footy club over the last 12-14 months,” he said.
“I understand it’s going to be a process, but last Saturday was unacceptable.
“I was very annoyed, for our fans, our club, because it is not what we’re about. Friday is an opportunity to stand up and show what the Parramatta jumper means.”
Defeat to Ivan Cleary’s team would intensify the pressure on Kearney, but he maintains he won’t let the speculation get to him.
“They (the board) are the ones who make the decisions,” he said.
“The rumours are not started by us, and all I can do is prepare the team as best I can and I just worry about that.”
Parramatta have been boosted by the return of prop Fuifui Moimoi from a knee injury and will give a late fitness test to fullback Jarryd Hayne, who has been sidelined with a similar problem.
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