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Moses insists Eels united amid horror run

3 minute read

Mitch Moses insists Parramatta's worst defensive fortnight in 25 years and slide down the NRL ladder are not the result of reported player discontent.

MITCHELL MOSES of the Eels.
MITCHELL MOSES of the Eels. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Mitch Moses insists Parramatta's NRL playing group remains united despite their horror month in a Queensland Hub breeding rumours of discontent.

However, Moses admits the past month - which has included four losses in a row - had been the hardest he'd endured during his time at the Eels.

Parramatta have conceded 96 points in the past fortnight - their worst defensive showing in 25 years.

It has resulted in the once high-flying Eels sinking to sixth on the ladder, with their hopes of a top-four finish hanging on games against North Queensland, Melbourne and Penrith.

Parramatta were last week accused of giving up by Phil Gould, while club legend Peter Sterling declared they were no chance of ending their 35-year title drought.

Parramatta's horror 1-4 record since entering Queensland has also sparked rumours of a fallout among players over room allocations in hotels.

Moses, however, rubbished those claims, denying any suggestion of rumblings within the group.

"That's just a little bit of noise and look I don't know I don't know where any of that stuff has come from," he said.

"We know as a group that we're pretty tight and there's definitely none of that happening."

Moses revealed he and captain Gutherson had spoken to the group this week, but would not divulge what issues were discussed.

The next month shapes as the biggest test of their leadership, with coach Brad Arthur under pressure and the team's season slipping away.

Gutherson and Moses are considered as the natural leaders of the club, but have both had moments this year where they have yelled at teammates on the field.

"We've addressed some stuff but nothing that we need to speak about now (in the media)," Moses said.

When pressed again, Moses responded: "It's nothing that needs to be said here.

"We know that we haven't been up to scratch and we need to change that.

"That's what we're looking to do this week.

"The playing group feels pretty fine... putting in efforts at training.

"We just haven't been transitioning that on the field."

Moses' combination with No.6 Dylan Brown has been another talking point, since the halfback returned from a back injury, with the Eels particularly poor in attack last week against Manly.

The No.7 is still working with Andrew Johns remotely while in the Queensland Hub but admitted it was harder without the rugby league immortal there in person.

"We (Dylan and I) can definitely link up a lot more," Moses said.

"We can definitely be better as a combination.

"In crucial parts of the games we're not really nailing them.

"We need to fix that up."

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