Eels lack spark in attack: Sterling

PETER Sterling has ripped into Parramatta’s predictable attack, saying it is one-dimensional and lacks the creativity to threaten the NRL’s best in the countdown to the finals.

The dressing down from one of the club’s all-time greats comes in the countdown to Thursday night’s crucial showdown with the Sydney Roosters that could make or break the top-four hopes for both teams.

Without halfback Mitchell Moses, the Eels suffered a shock defeat to a severely under-strength Canberra and they have arguably the toughest draw of any team over the final six games of the regular season.

Brad Arthur’s team sit in outright fourth spot on 28 competition points but will be joined by the Roosters if they go down on Thursday night.

That would then set up a helter-skelter race to the finals, with the Eels then left to face the Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Cowboys, Storm and Panthers.

The Roosters themselves don’t have the easiest of draws but it is certainly less imposing, with their remaining games against the Panthers, Broncos, Dragons, Rabbitohs and Raiders.

It remains to be seen if Arthur will gamble and play Moses this week as he recovers from a fracture in his back suffered in the early minutes of the final State of Origin.

Moses’ availability basically comes down to whether he thinks he can get through the match playing with pain.

But there will be mounting pressure for him to take the field in the wake of the underwhelming attacking performance against the Raiders.

Sterling was critical of what they dished up against the Raiders. While he didn’t question the effort, he certainly reckons they need to show a bit more enterprise.

“They don’t play enough football coming out of their own end,” Sterling said.

“I preface it by saying Parramatta individually are as brave as any team in the competition.

“But you’ve got to throw passes out of your own end of the field. You’ve got to move teams around.”