Most importantly, what are we going to do about it? Firstly, it’s not the time for knee-jerk reactions. If the coaches could pick a side from all of our players if they were available it would be something close to thus: Reihana, Lamont, Clarke, Quinlan, Cohen, Spencer, Robinson, Smith, Thompson, Barnard, Browne, Gerard, Tupai, Fox and Easter. Of that team, seven have been unavailable due to injuries or international calls. From next week, for our two Heineken Cup games, all should be available except Clarke and Reihana. In February, both of them will be back. That in itself should ease the short-term pressure. What have we learned from this? Most importantly, we are weak beyond perhaps our top 25 players. Our back-up players are not up to it and for next season, we have to improve the team and make sure our recruitment is considerably better. Our Academy also needs to produce one or two players per year that strengthen our squad. Today, against Leicester I can see us adopting a “test & rest” philosophy. Some of our players are being rested and others gain the chance to shine. Those that fail will not be here next season.
Having said all that, there is a good spirit in the camp and morale is high. We need two good wins against Parma to help restore confidence. Much was made of the Kiwis v the Rest supposed split at the club. With 45 young, fit, active, testosterone-fuelled men all working together, the odd punch is thrown in training and we occasionally get personality conflicts; but believe me, the guys are too professional to let little spats influence their day to day work, training and playing. All of us – management, players, supporters and sponsors – need to form wagons into a circle, tighten up and get on with it. I am confident, although a little battle weary. Ok, enough of that.
Most supporters know that Budge and his wife Ali were planning to leave at the end of this season and return to Budge’s roots. We have agreed with Budge that he can actually leave early and both him and Ali will be badly missed – Budge by the Saints and Ali for her sterling work at Towcester Ladies Hockey Club. At some time in the New Year, I will arrange for Budge to come back and say goodbye properly. I think it is really important not to let him just slip away.
A big, big welcome to our friends from Welford Road. Today’s game is dead rubber and both teams have one eye on the Heineken Cup next week so on the surface it should be less intense than normal, but don’t believe that for one minute. Everyone’s got something to prove and I expect a full-on contest.
About a month ago I received a letter from my cousin, a guy called David Porter who lives in Leicester and is a Tigers supporter. He asked if he and some friends could have a bucket collection in aid of PROSTaid, a charity that helps sufferers of prostate cancer. We are a in the same region, so I gladly agreed. If you see someone shaking a bucket, please be generous. It won’t be David though; he sadly died of the disease 10 days ago.
That’s enough from me this week. Let’s look forward to a brighter December. | 
