Arthur lauds Ferguson's leadership at Eels

And Parramatta coach Brad Arthur believes Blake Ferguson's winning mentality has already begun to rub off on his teammates.

After watching their team open the 2019 season with back-to-back wins, Eels fans will get a true gauge of their side when they host reigning premiers and Ferguson's former club Sydney Roosters on Friday.

"He only thinks about winning and doesn't believe anything else but that. So he brings confidence," Arthur said on Thursday.

Ferguson has overcome a number of off-field issues over his career, including last year's axing from the NSW State of Origin team.

However he transformed into arguably the game's best winger in the game under Roosters coach Trent Robinson, resulting in a lucrative Eels deal.

Some questioned whether his form would continue at another club, but Arthur was always confident of providing the stable set-up Ferguson craved.

Across the opening two games, Ferguson leads the league in running metres.

"We just needed to put him in a nice, strong, steady environment, which we've got," Arthur said.

"He came here and brought a real intensity to our training, which has helped us.

"His leadership is more on-field in games, and on-field at training. And because he doesn't have any self-doubt, that flows on (to) the rest of the boys."

The Eels' 2-0 start has given the club's long-suffering fanbase reason to hope in 2019, while the move into their new stadium next month will also galvanise support.

Arthur saw no need to quash the hype building around his team.

"The opposition have done that for us. That keeps a lid on it. The boys know there shouldn't be a great deal that I need to do this week," he said.

The Eels have rushed Michael Jennings back into the centres for Josh Hoffman, while the Roosters have made a number of changes to last week's line-up.

Veterans Cooper Cronk and Jake Friend return, Matt Ikuvalu deputises for the injured Brett Morris and Poasa Faamausili retains his interchange role.

Australian Associated Press