Lead rugby Consultant Steve Diamond spoke to the media today ahead of Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership match against Northampton Saints at Sixways.
Here’s what Steve had to say:
How have the players responded to the news of the changes in the coaching structure?
- Yesterday was a shock to the squad but they have taken it in their stride.
- The players realise that where we sit in the league isn’t acceptable. If a coach doesn’t achieve the KPIs they are given then, unfortunately they lose their job. We are in a results-based business.
- It’s the same for the players. When contract time comes around if you have not delivered for your club then the decision-makers who decide whether you get a contract make that decision therein.
- For me it’s a great opportunity. There was a bit of a shock in the business yesterday but they trained very well yesterday, they have trained very well this morning, which is a good sign, but it doesn’t mean you are going to win a game. But I think everybody is tuned in to doing well for Worcester.
What areas do you need to improve on?
- We’ve scored a lot of tries but the basics of our game are not up to scratch at the moment. Our set piece is not where we want it to be and our defence isn’t where we want it to be.
- We’ve conceded twice as many tries as four or five teams in the league which is a ridiculous stat. That is where our attention is going to focused over the next month.
- We have a good academy which produces good kids. We have a lot of lads who have been exposed to senior rugby this season and I will continue in that vein but we will be looking for one or two recruits to come in to bolster, certainly the pack.
Are you looking forward to coaching again?
- I have been a long time out of kit, now I am back in it. We had a good contact session this morning which went very well.
- On the technical side of the game, the lads know what they are doing. It’s just that ten per cent of desire that we are trying to bring.
- You have got to practise to get that. You can’t just flick a switch on a Saturday afternoon and say: this is what we are about. You have got to simulate it during the week.
- That is what we did this morning for ten minutes or so and it was very competitive. The second team, who haven’t been picked for the first team this weekend, showed to me that they want to be in the first team.
What have you made of performances since you arrived in September?
- We have had some good results, we have got something out of most games. That is the sign of a team that has got good energy.
- But we need to be finer tuned than that. We need to be winning home games. You don’t win home games by fluke. You need a bit of luck but you need to have a plan, you need to stick to the plan, you have got to have players who understand and agree with the plan and they implement it for you.
- We are facilitators really it’s just getting people to buy into the psyche of it.
- We have some world-class players certainly in the backs. We have players with the ability to beat two men, to beat men one-on-one, we have got pace and speed in the team and we have brilliant decision-maker at ten in Fin Smith.
- We need to add to our all-round game. We need to get some discipline into how we defend.
- The bits I am talking about are the bits that don’t require world-class skill. It’s just hard work, getting back on your feet when you have been put down, getting in line and communicating and when, in the hour of need when you are breathing in diesel, you are able communicate to your mates on the field.
- Culture isn’t something done in the bowling alley or going out to the pub. Culture is about when you are under pressure on the rugby pitch that you fight for each other and that is what I will be building over the next month or so.
How bright a prospect is Fin Smith?
- Very bright. In fact we have had the England Under-20s coaches in this morning begging us to release him so he can play for them, but he’s going to be playing for us.
What do you make of Northampton?
- They are a good side. They have put us to bed a couple of times and we need to close the gap on them.
- They are well coached they have a great policy in the club where the younger lads, Phil Dowson and Sam Vesty, are going to be in charge next year.
- They have a great squad, they play an attractive style of rugby and it will be real challenge but I’m sure we will up for that challenge.
Are you likely to change the side much?
- I have told the lads not to knock on my door over the next month if they are not in the team. I will be looking at people over the next month.
- We have put a game plan together that the senior players buy into and that will permeate down to the rest to the squad.
- If you can stick to the plan which we have all – players and staff – agreed can work then you keep your place in the team. If you can’t then we will look at other people.
- I’m not a coach who rests people on a rotation basis. I think that’s an easy excuse for coaches.
- What we have to get here is some seniority, a pecking order created by peer pressure of who trains well, who plays well pretty much keeps their spot.
- It’s up to me to go to those who are not in the squad and show them a pathway back into the team.
- It’s all very well dropping someone if they make an error but you have to pick them up and show them a way back otherwise there’s no point having a big squad.
How will you judge success this season?
- In some people’s eyes I have a long pre-season between now and September but I don’t see it like that.
- We have 12 games left, seven of them at home, and we will be putting everything into those home games and picking certain away games because you are not going to win every game.
- We are not going to be shackled and tied up with worrying about structure and not taking risks. With back-line we have got we are going to be taking risks and playing.
- If the opportunity arises where we can get some possession and we can keep the pressure on territory-wise I have no doubt that we can score tries.
- Hopefully it’s going to take a good team to beat us.
Injuries
- Ollie Lawrence is around three to four weeks away.
- Owen Williams will be involved this weekend.
- Willi Heinz is still three or four weeks off with his calf strain