Dean Ryan believes his side’s fortunes will change if they can get a first Aviva Premiership win of the season against Gloucester Rugby on Sunday at Kingsholm (2pm kick-off).
The Director of Rugby knows how tight things are between the clubs sitting just above Warriors in the league table and insists a win over his former club can help pile the pressure on those above them.
He said: “We are still two wins away from the other opposition. We’re having to deal with the pressure week-in week-out of being at the bottom whereas the others feel like they have their heads above the water.
“If we win one game then the pressure will start to flick around.”
Ryan spent seven years in the coaching set-up at Gloucester and knows the importance of the derby to both sides.
He added: “It’s one of those local derbies that adds a little bit of spice. There is friction and a bit of player traffic between the two.
“I’ve never known Gloucester to be in this kind of position for 15 years. I don’t understand why they are towards the bottom as they have a gifted backline.
“There are a lot of rumours linking a number of people with other places and I don’t know whether that is unsettling them.”
With Gloucester sat in 11th position in the Aviva Premiership table, Ryan admits he would be delighted for his Warriors side to get the “reward” they deserve by beating their neighbours.
He continued: “I would love for this group to get reward for the hard work they have been doing. It would be a significant step turning into the New Year with a win.
“We have to make sure we are as strong as we have been in recent weeks and get ourselves across the line.”
Meanwhile, centre Alex Grove has committed his future to the club along with fellow Warriors centurion Chris Pennell.
And Ryan says the commitment of the two players shows they believe the club is moving in the right direction.
He concluded: “We have set out what the future looks like and we are asking those players that we believe in to be a part of it.
“I’m delighted that Chris and Alex have obliged because they are central to what we are trying to do here.
“They have come through the system and I think it’s a big statement that they are saying they want to be involved in the future at the club.”