Cayless calls for more team spirit

PARRAMATTA Eels captain Nathan Cayless concedes his side has become too reliant on the individual efforts of players like superstar Jarryd Hayne this season.<br><br>The Eels were many people's favourites for the premiership before the start of the season, but have copped some heavy criticism in recent weeks after dropping three of their opening four games.<br><br>During the week, chief executive Paul Osborne put several of his under-performing stars on notice but Cayless said it would be a team, rather than individual performances, that would help turn the Eels’ season around.<br><br>“It’s not just that we’re just waiting for Haynesy to do something, it’s like we’re waiting for somebody to do something for the team rather than pushing up in support,” Cayless told BigPond Sports Weekend.<br><br>“We’re having to defend too much and we’re not completing our sets. We’re putting too much pressure on ourselves and Haynesy is feeling that too. He’s feeling a bit more pressure than last year obviously because of how he played last season.<br><br>“As a team we need to make sure we’re supporting each other and then little things will start coming off for individual players.”<br><br>Cayless planned to announce his retirement at the end of the season in a press release this week, but the news was leaked to the media forcing him to make the announcement sooner than expected.<br><br>The 200-game player told his coaches and teammates of his intentions prior to the first game, but refused to blame the club for the leak.<br><br>“I decided in the offseason, before we started training that this would be my last year and I was just waiting for a couple of things to be confirmed for my future employment before I made an announcement,” Cayless said.<br><br>“I didn’t want anything over the top. I just wanted to put out a press release and have it done. I wanted it to be low-key, but there was a bit of a drama over it.<br><br>"It’s all done now, so I can get on with enjoying the rest of the season and hopefully winning some games with the Eels.”