Meehan: 'It is a question of believing'
Fri, 16 May 2008 13:58
Bath have their sights set firmly on silverware as the Guinness Premiership reaches its concluding chapters in the next two weeks.
Having lost by just two points to Gloucester last weekend, analysis and evaluation has been at the forefront of the team's minds to ensure that the errors of last weekend do not re-emerge in the semifinal against London Wasps on Sunday.
When faced with Wasps at home and away earlier this season, Bath were unable to secure the victory, but head coach Steve Meehan believes that it was lack of focus, not skill that spelt defeat.
"I think the thing about various points in both matches, is that we didn't concentrate and we dropped off," Meehan said.
"The first fifteen minutes of the second half here at The Rec really illustrated our problems that day. Before and after that it was a good match."
Having lost the chance to play a home semifinal, Meehan has also been reflecting on how to progress from last Saturday.
"What we have to work on from last week is our selection in regards to where we go and attack. We have to try and shift the ball, be comfortable on the ball and make sure we recycle well and find a space.
"Of course, apart from that, it is a matter of concentrating and playing for the 80 minutes and I truly believe that if we had played the second half in the same way that we played the first, we would have ended up winning that game against Gloucester.
"We know our game. It's just a question of believing in it and seeing it through. If we execute it as well as we can, we are a difficult team to stop."
Bath Rugby: 15 Joe Maddock, 14 Andy Higgins, 13 Alex Crockett, 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 Butch James, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Daniel Browne, 7 Michael Lipman, 6 Jonny Faamatuainu, 5 Danny Grewcock, 4 Steve Borthwick (captain), 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Lee Mears, 1 David Barnes.
Replacements: 16 Pieter
Dixon, 17 Duncan Bell, 18 Peter Short, 19 Chris Goodman, 20 Mike Baxter, 21 Shaun Berne, 22 Nick Abendanon.
Date: Sunday, May 18
Venue: Adams Park, London
Kick-off: 14.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Chris White
Touch judges: Robin Goodliffe, Paul Dix
TMO: Matt Peters, Graham Hughes
