As far as new Parramatta coach Daniel Anderson is concerned, the Eels' puzzling and disappointing 2008 NRL season never happened.

Anderson has refused to dwell on Parramatta's stuttering campaign, when they failed to get out of second gear despite their obvious potential demonstrated when taking eventual premiers Melbourne to the wire in the 2007 finals.

There were regular promises they'd turn the corner but it never happened - they finished 11th with an 11-13 record and coach Michael Hagan quit.

Timana Tahu's exit, injuries and some indifferent form from their most potent attacking weapon, Jarryd Hayne, after he was caught up in a pre-season shooting incident didn't help.

But Anderson, an assistant to Brian Smith at the Eels in 2000, says he didn't find a playing group down in the dumps when he arrived back at the club, which is still seeking its first premiership since 1986.

"I didn't recognise (any disappointment), I didn't investigate anything like that," Anderson said.

"I basically just got on with coaching the team and getting the structures, getting everyone working and building relationships."

If freshening up is what Parramatta need, Anderson might just be the tonic, back in the NRL after his four-year stint with English Super League big guns St Helens.

His geographical distance meant he wasn't able to closely follow the rise of young stars such as Hayne, Krisnan Inu and Feleti Mateo, meaning coach and players started with a clean slate.

"I don't know a lot about a lot of the players," he said.

"I've seen the seasoned players but the younger players, and that includes Jarryd (Hayne), Krisnan Inu, Feleti Mateo, Matt Keating ... I'm trying to have a look at what abilities and what talents they bring to the table for our side."

That list is even longer, though, with the Eels among the least active clubs in the player market.

"I'm not at all fazed by who I have, I'm really happy with who's here," Anderson said.

"I knew what I was getting, I knew I wasn't going to be in the player market and so I've just gotten on with the very good squad I have here now."

As well as old heads Brett Finch, Nathan Hindmarsh, Nathan Cayless and a fit-again Ben Smith, the Eels will be relying on their youngsters coming up with the goods, particularly in the forwards where their depth is questionable.

"That's how it is with a lot of clubs," Anderson said.

"You can't just continually buy seasoned players, there's always going to be debutants every year in every team you coach.

"What we are hoping is that our young players, our debutants, don't have to make up the bulk of the team.

"You do want them to play, you know they're going to but they shouldn't fill a high proportion of the games played.

"You still need your seasoned players to play week-in week-out."

Anderson is also hoping the up and down careers of Eric Grothe and Joe Galuvao can get back on track, while hooker Kevin Kingston brings four years of experience from Cronulla.

A positional switch for winger/fullback Hayne to five-eighth is also on the cards to revitalise the former Kangaroo's attacking spark.

The Eels have just one long-term injury concern, with young forward Junior Paulo out for 3-4 months with a torn pectoral muscle.

Anderson, who took the New Zealand Warriors to the 2002 grand final, knows the blue-and-gold army are growing impatient for premiership glory after near misses in the 2001 grand final and the second-last weeks of 2005 and 2007.

"I never do the promises thing," he said. "We want a team that the fans are proud of.

"They'll evaluate pride in their own way, the fans will, but if Parramatta fans are proud of what the players are doing then I'm sure that we've got the talent which can get some rewards."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP