Parramatta great Nathan Hindmarsh still holds out faint hope that the Eels can climb off the floor and make the top eight, but if they do they won't cause a stir in September.
Writing in this week's Big League, the 330-game veteran said things simply aren't working.
"Anything but a grand final is a disappointment for any club, and even if Parra can somehow go on a run to scrape into the eight, I can't see them doing any damage," he said.
"Unfortunately, the style of footy they're playing at the moment just isn't good enough.
"The combination of Mitch Moses and Corey Norman isn't firing like it was last year.
''Clint Gutherson has had a slow start to the season because of injury, and reliable guys like Michael Jennings have been coming up with silly mistakes. That's been a real issue across the board and it's costing them penalties, points and wins."
Eels coach Brad Arthur has attempted to get things back on track by moving Clint Gutherson to five-eighth and Corey Norman to fullback for Thursday night's clash with the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
While admitting the option of blooding youngsters and turning attention to 2019 was on the table, Hindmarsh said the senior players at the club should be given the first opportunity to turn things around.
"The easy solution would be to bring in rookies and blood them for future years," he said.
"I wouldn't mind seeing a couple of fresh faces if they do lose another game or two because that will give a rocket up some of the older guys who need to improve, but I think the current group deserves another chance to turn things around.
"Knowing those players, they won't put the cue in the rack and concentrate on next year, and Brad Arthur won't allow it either.
They've got guys who can turn a game with individual brilliance, but guys like Bevan French and the halves need to back themselves to produce the big plays."
Hindmarsh, who also played 23 Tests and 17 matches for NSW during a stellar career, said the Eels fan in him made the on-field pain even harder to deal with.
"I feel for the boys. I love to see them winning because I'm a fan of the club," he said.
"There's nothing worse than when there are huge expectations on you but you don’t deliver. I can see them trying and I know the effort is there, but sadly, 2018 won't be their year."
