With today’s game we are now one third through the National League One season. And though I am delighted that we have a perfect record I cannot emphasise enough that the league is not won yet – far from it!
If you look at the results around the league it becomes clear how competitive National League One is this season.
For example, Nottingham – who we play in a couple of weeks – pulled off a superb win away at the Cornish Pirates last weekend, and though Exeter have won their last two matches they have been pushed all the way by teams lower down the table, including today’s visitors to Franklin’s Gardens the Pertemps Bees.
This is why we cannot look any further ahead than the next game. As soon as we fail to concentrate on the job in hand there becomes the potential for defeat, something we cannot afford this season.
Although the Bees have struggled this season we will be paying them every respect. They have a number of players on loan from Premiership academies such as Worcester’s Uche Oduoza, who scored two tries against the Chiefs last weekend.
Speaking of academy players, I’m happy with the way our academy lads have stepped up to the challenges we’ve given them. A special mention should go to Courtney Lawes, who was brought up just up the road from Franklin’s Gardens. He is still only 18 and has been in the full-time set-up for only a few months. He accredited himself very well against Esher and again against Newcastle in the Guinness ‘A’ League last Monday.
Another player who has caught the attention is Chris Ashton, who is now topping the try charts. In all the acclaim we should all remember that he is new to rugby union and has only played 10-or-so games. He has a lot to learn (although he is learning fast!) and provided he continues to knuckle down he could go far in the game.
This is true of all our young players. It is one thing to have talent, but another thing to apply it in the right way. Dorian, Paul and myself all want these players to develop both as individuals and as committed members of the Saints set-up on and off the field.
This commitment is necessary not just for us as a coaching team but also you, the supporter. You deserve a team that is wholeheartedly dedicated to the club and the challenges ahead.
Again you turned out in your hundreds up at Rotherham last weekend for what was a crucial game for us, and in your thousands here at Franklin’s Gardens, game in, game out.
We have two tricky away games coming up at Exeter and Nottingham and your support will be invaluable to all the lads, as it will be today against the Bees. The black, green and gold is a tremendous sight wherever we go.
