Quick turnaround We need to hit ground running
GLOUCESTER’S season ended abruptly with their game against Northampton being called off due to Saints having Covid-19 infected players.
The five points were awarded to Gloucester who have now finished the season in seventh position. This will be a big disappointment to the club and, of course, there are many contributing factors.
On the field, the team lacked consistency in performance - world-class performances one week, followed by an abject one in the following game. Player discipline and multiple penalties undermined performances frequently.
The tactical control of games was at time questionable, with the ability at times to play a percentage game, with possession and territory.
It seemed to be a score every time Gloucester had the ball, but maybe patience, and building a score would have been more pragmatic approach. The Gloucester squad does possess some wonderful attacking players, which can open the best defences with first phase ball.
This is backed up by the stats that say Gloucester was the third best team in the Premiership at making line breaks - converting these opportunities will be key moving forward.
All the on-field difficulties resulted in the change of head coach - Johan Ackermann leaving to be replaced by George Skivington, and he has brought in a whole new backroom staff, who are young with bags of potential. Skivington also had to deal with a raft of players leaving the club mid-season as Covid-19 disrupted the season and the landscape of the world massively. Following the break in the season, the new head coach shuffled his pack of players. This was forced upon him by the number of games played in the shortest of times, and the theme of Gloucester’s inconsistent results continued in this period. It did give the new coaching team the opportunity to look at the whole squad to gauge their ability to play in meaningful games.
In the long term, this will help Skivington understand what additions he would like to bring to the squad.
The backdrop to this though was Gloucester’s CEO Lance Bradley declaring if crowds cannot return to rugby grounds their very existence could be in jeopardy.
This shocking omission should heap pressure on the Government for a bail out, but it also brought into focus the fragile financial state of Gloucester and many other professional sporting organisations in this country.
With the CEO’S admission regarding the finances, the whole tapestry of Gloucester and beyond has been brought into question.
Do not underestimate what Gloucester means to the people of Gloucester, coupled with the loss of capital into the local community.
The powers that be have had this responsibility heaped on them, which has not been of their own making.
The decisions that will be made moving forward will be some of the most important in the club’s long history, and success on the field will be vital in creating the feel good factor.
Skivington must get the best out of his squad for the coming season, as the prospect of big signings coming in is seemingly not viable at this stage.
The Premiership is the toughest league in the world, and the 2020/21 season commences in a very few short weeks,
Gloucester will need to hit the ground running with a good start vital to reduce the pressure, and to instil confidence within the squad.
League rugby is unforgiving. Leicester Tigers finished their second season in 11th position, and they would have been relegated if Saracens did not have their points deduction - unthinkable for the most successful club in English club history.
Gloucester has a great squad packed with talent; I think they lack some bulk, which can be overcome by adapting the game plan.
Gloucester’s first game of the new season is away to Leicester Tigers, a great opportunity to make a statement. I cannot wait - Go well guys.