Fabas Indulcet Fames
League debut for Fulton
By Kim
September 4 2010
Rugby union fans have lots of things in common – rugby, beer , the craic, travelling and meeting like minded people to name but five. There are, however, a number of things that set different clubs’ fans apart. Two of those which are closely related are success and the supporters’ expectations of success. You only have to look at the relegation dogfight last season to see what I mean
Worcester was relegated and quite rightly the fans were calling for the DoR’s head. Sale survived as did Newcastle but the call for changing the man at the top was loud at both clubs. Leeds Carnegie survived, just, and the coaching team were hailed as heroes. The Leeds fans were delighted that, after such a poor start and a long hard season, the management’s target of “survival” was achieved. There were no serious complaints that the club should have done better. No one called for heads to roll because the club had spent the season in the bottom quarter of the division. Imagine if that had been the case for Leicester…..hmm yes I can imagine it and it is a lovely thought!
Unfortunately Leicester is unlikely to be anywhere other than in the top four for the foreseeable future and the Tigers’ fans expectations are equally high. Success is the norm at Welford Road. Other clubs where the fans can reasonably expect some success in the next couple of years include Bath, Northampton and Saracens. After the events of last season the fans of these “marquis” clubs might even demand success! Well here is one indomitable fact. There are only four major trophies available to the big four. Add to that the possibility that one or two Gallic/Celtic clubs might be doing their damnedest to get their hands on the two European trophies and it is odds-on that someone is going to be disappointed. Imagine ending up in the top four, getting to a cup final & then deeming the season a failure because there is no silverware in the trophy cabinet? Nope! I can’t either.
So we come back to the expectations at HC this season. Neil Back and Andy Key have a three year plan. This season, which is the third year, they have set a target of top six and a place in the Heineken Cup for the following season. Whilst I, for one, would not bet against anything NB says he will achieve, my own expectations will be exceeded if we finish higher than we did last season and have a decent cup run. Success, as defined by Leicester, is not the norm at Headingley… yet. We consider avoiding relegation as success.
You do not need a long memory to remember our fabulous cup win at Twickers but since that memorable day our objectives have been much more mundane. For me that taste of success has led me to believe that anything we win in the future will be sweeter for the waiting. The Romans knew what they were talking about. If you go without something for a long time it will certainly taste better when you finally get hold of it.
This weekend brings a formidable Bath squad to Headingley. Will the ‘Neegs roll over as they did at the Rec a few months ago? Pre-season has not gone to plan. Key players are unavailable. Bath has no discernible weaknesses. Neil Back has put his faith in Luther Burrell and Tom Denton. Can they live up to that faith? Whatever happens on Sunday the quest for success at the club goes on. I would take a Back/Key contract extension over a win against Bath any day. I predict a narrow defeat on Sunday in glorious sunshine.
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Miserati - and Proud to be!
though i'm with beeston on the pre-season. i think the knowledge gained from the experiments will prove more valuable than the results.
Quote:Beeston Lion
Thanks for the piece Kim, it is so right in the key points. I would however differ on one area where you say pre-season has not gone to plan. What was the plan? Was it, what I expect most fans wanted and, a 100% return in terms of results? Or was it what the coaching staff wanted with the opportunity to move from off field activity to playing in a 'competitive' arena and chances to look at combinations etc. which would give some idea of what options would be available come the real thing?
If we planned to lose 4 games then it went to plan. If not then it did not.
Battles can be recovered from, and lessons learnt. Wars less so.
Miserati - and Proud to be!
P.S I like your signature - am already singing it to myself!
Miserati - and Proud to be!
After all, we've done well against Bath at home in the first day of the Premiership season in the past...
Suffering on the Leeds and Yorkshire roller-coaster since 2001
Quote:Timofe
Who says there are any injuries? ...
If our new prop (Miguel?) is keeping a fully fit MacDonald out of the squad then the days of plenty are indeed just around the corner!
