Veteran rugby league reporter Phil Rothfield believes it is time for change at the Eels with a board meeting looming to discuss the future of under pressure coach Brad Arthur.

The Eels’ 48-16 hammering by the Storm in Magic Round saw them slip to 14th on the ladder with just three wins from 10 games this season as their finals hopes nosedive.

Rothfield was asked how long Arthur has got on Sky Sports’ Radio’s The Big Sports Breakfast and was critical of the Eels board for not chasing Wayne Bennett earlier.

“It is a very good question,” Rothfield said on The Big Sports Breakfast.

“I am not just judging him on three wins after 11 rounds. You have also got to look at the back end and the second half of last season when Parramatta capitulated and missed out on the finals.

“This isn’t a three or four month problem. This is something where Parramatta haven’t aimed up for a couple of seasons now.

“I don’t think there is any possible way they are going to make the finals this year.

“I raised doubts about Brad Arthur, but I was critical of the Parramatta board five or six weeks ago when Wayne Bennett was still available.

“I suggested then that if they want the best in the business, they should be chasing the guy that built the Dolphins. They want the guy that’s won seven premierships. They should be acting now as in six weeks ago. But they didn’t.”

Rothfield believes the Eels’ horror defence and spluttering attack will force a board meeting to discuss the future of their coach.

“They have got a worse for and against than the Titans and the Tigers and only Souths are worse than them,” Rothfield said.