With Will there is a way to beat the drop
CAPTAIN WELCH BACKS HIS BOYS TO SURVIVE
CAPTAIN Will Welch is backing Newcastle Falcons to climb away from the Gallagher Premiership drop spot as they welcome Worcester Warriors to Kingston Park Stadium this afternoon.
The skipper and his men are looking to rein in the nine-point gap with Worcester during the coming weeks, Welch insisting: “Of course we can get out of
“We’ve ot ight es eft, five of them at home, an against team we’d like to think we can beat.
“s important that we stop aying lip service the games we think we should have won – we’ve just got to deliver now.”
Taking a clear-headed approach to today’s kick-off rather than wasting time pondering th implications, the flanker said: “It’s easy to ge caught in erything outside the club in terms o lookin at eagu tables nd isteni what ple are saying roun it but two wins and ou’r back in the mix.
“We’ve ot a good eight-ga lock now which we can really attack with a positive frame of ind, a ur only thought is con centrating wee to eek on t t next cha - lenge.
“That starts by turning up for training every single day with a really clear focus and a good attitude, and we’re not far away. It’s little things that we’re working hard on, and if we do that, then I don’t see any reason why we can’t beat Worcester.”
Defeated last weekend at league leaders Exeter, Welch said: “Even with the internationals away, Exeter are till a class side, and the effor and endeavour was there from us.
’t think ou can ever question that with a ewcastle alcons ide, and as long as yo have hat, ou’v always ot chance. The iggest hing in this squad that e’re group of ghters ho ant to o out ther and win games, and we’re working hard during the week to achieve that.
“The progression that we need is on our attention to detail and making sure we’re accurate in executing our game plan, especially during those key moments in games. That’s what Exeter did last weekend, and we need to be as clinical as those kinds of teams.”
With Wayne Barnes taking the whistle for today’s game, precision at ruck time remains one of the key focuses according to Welch.
“It’s tough around the breakdown because every referee has a different interpretation,” he said.
“Some will favour the defensive team more, some the attack, so we’ve got to referee ourselves to a degree and take the officials out of the equation.
“If we’re clean enough around and the breakdown and don’t give Worcester the chance get their hands on the ball, then the refere shouldn’t have oo cisions to make, bu Wayn Barnes s one of he est in th world anyway nd should able to manage ha area well. “The brea own is a team thing these days n not just down to the back-rowers, so players from ne to 15 need to be able to get over he all and do that job when required. Nowadays hookers, second rows and whoever else are all good at getting into that jackal position, and we just need to be accurate in how we go about it.”
Relishing the challenge rather than shrinking under the scrutiny, the skipper added: “I enjoy these kinds of situations, the boys are all up for it and we’re looking forward to the game.
“This squad are always wanting to right the wrongs we just want to get back into winning ways, and the mood around the club ll eek has been really upbeat. We see it as an opportunity to relish and to show people what we’re really about rather than something to be fearful of, and I’m sure our supporters will be behind us.
“They always give us incredible backing, it really does make a difference to the boys and we’re in for a battle against Worcester. It could be one of those games which goes down to the wire, and hopefully we can give our supporters something to cheer about as thanks for the backing they’ve given us all year.”
Tickets for today’s game are available from Kingston Park Stadium.