WE'VE got to get the show back on the road, insists Newport Gwent Dragons coach Paul Turner ahead of tonight's vital Magners League game against Connacht at Rodney Parade.
The Dragons slumped to a home defeat in their last game against Glasgow with a dismal home performance after doing the hard work by beating them at Firhill.
"We've trained well this week though players are coming and going and we've got to manage that off the back of a pretty disappointing defeat against Glasgow, probably because we expected to win," admitted Turner.
"But Glasgow recruited well in the summer, they brought in three or four overseas players and some good players from the Borders (back row forward Kelly Brown being one).
"But there were good parts of the game against Glasgow, we just didn't play the right type of game whereas they did. That's been the story of our season, there have been games we have snatched and others that have been left on the table, too many.
"We need to get the show back on the road. It's been pretty frustrating, we've always had a resilient, happy squad so let's get out and enjoy it while working under pressure.
"Let's go as far as we can in Europe and the EDF, that's our target and it always has been. Let's also try to finish as high as we can in the Magners League where it's down to a lot of variables, but we want to qualify for Europe (the Heineken Cup) by right."
Back row forward Joe Bearman switches to openside flanker tonight but doesn't mind where he plays in the back row. "It doesn't really matter, we swop and change anyway," he said.
"It's massive for us now. With a small squad we have struggled with injuries, we haven't got two teams who can train.
"In the middle of the season we were mid-table and we were on to something, but we lost against London Irish and then we struggled."
Turner has blooded another youngster for tonight's game, going for Wales Under-20 outside half/full back Jason Tovey on the bench: "We have looked at his progress and he has been playing well for Wales Under 20s at full back, but we have watched him at 10 for Bedwas and we have decided to bring him in and he looked the part in the conditioning game against Cross Keys. He looked quite impressive and he's one for the future."
Turner says he is awaiting a decision from skipper Colin Charvis about whether he intends playing on after this season: "When the time is right we'll sit down and talk about it."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article