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Paterson: We've been working on the little things

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After last Friday’s disappointment at the Gardens, as Newcastle Falcons went away with four points after a late intercept try earned them the win, Saints have no time to rest on their laurels with the big Midlands derby with Leicester Tigers this weekend fast approaching.

Michael Paterson said that the side have to leave last weekend’s result behind them as they prepare for derby day but learn from the mistakes they made last week and go back to basics with their preparation to be sure they go to Tigers with the ability to compete.

“Obviously we’ve got to be positive,” Paterson told SaintsTV.

“We have to be making sure we’re doing the right things, put last week behind us and make sure we get on the front foot against a big Leicester side this weekend. And make sure we’re doing everything possible to get the win.”

Heading to the game that most supporters, alongside the players, look fro first on the fixture list, Paterson said that while this game is obviously important in terms of bragging rights, Saints will be looking to right some wrongs of the past few weeks at Leicester.

“Obviously every week is a big week in the Premiership, and with the European Champions Cup and the Anglo-Welsh Cup as well, and it’s no different this week.

“Welford Road is obviously a big place to go and play so the boys are looking forward to it. But we’ve got to knuckle down and make sure we do the little things right.

“Our discipline has let us down in the last couple of weeks so we’ve got to really get on the front foot and put Leicester under pressure.”

Coming into Saturday’s game sitting in seventh in the table compared to Tigers’ fourth place position, Paterson said that the gap between Saints and the top four is something the players are acutely aware of and something they hope to reduce over the coming weeks.

“I think you’ve always got to have it in the back of your mind and it’s got to be something that we look at to make sure we don’t fall too far behind.

“At the moment we’re sitting in seventh so every game is a must win game because those top team will start to pull away even further than they are now and we’ll end up missing out on the top four.

“We’re not happy with where we are in the table, we want to be in that top four and pushing for trophies.

Saints’ record at Welford Road has been disappointing in recent years and Paterson says that that is something the club is hoping to rectify this weekend.

“There’s a big atmosphere at Welford Road, as it is here every weekend and it’s a must-win game.

“We let ourselves down last year when we played them, again discipline let us down in the last couple of minutes with them getting a penalty to win the game so we’ve been working hard on that and making sure we’re tough on each other, knowing our roles and doing the small things right so we can get the win.

With most of Saints’ international players coming back to the club this week, Paterson believes their presence will boost the club’s morale and lift the team as they go into this local derby weekend.

“Obviously it’s great to have the likes of Louis, the Pisi brothers and George North back. They’ve come back with smiles on their faces, so it’s really good to have them back in and lifting the team.

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