Glaws know what is needed in LV= Final
Ollie A - rallying call
By Cherry Picker
March 16 2011
Learn the lessons of past games, and Gloucester can make it third time lucky by winning the LV= Cup. It’s the same message from several difference Kingsholm sources as Gloucester prepare for Sunday’s Northampton showdown against Newcastle Falcons – the final is there to be won.
Gloucester might have won their last ten games, but they have lost in the final in the last two seasons and have also lost their last two games against the Falcons.
Further incentive should not be required.
Having lost to Cardiff and Northampton in those two previous final appearances, Gloucester should know what is required to win the silverware.
And there were also lessons to be learned in last weekend’s semi-final victory over Newport Gwent Dragons, in which Glaws had to do a lot more than just turn up to make it through to Franklin’s Gardens.
Coach Bryan Redpath (right), referring to the first half, told the Citizen: "That was our worst half in the last ten weeks, by a country mile.
"We need to be smart about it, we don't want to beat the drum too much, but that was a very good eye-opener for us in how we play Newcastle, and how we conduct ourselves for the next five to six weeks.”
Four-try hero Charlie Sharples added, in an interview with the BBC: "We can't look at the league, how many games Newcastle have won or how they're performing. Anyone can win a final.
"It depends who turns up on the day. We're not going to be underestimating them by any means.
"We're just going to take the confidence and momentum that we've got from the last 10 games and learn what we've learnt from the last two finals and fingers crossed we can come away with a trophy."
With that sort of approach, the players should be up for the game and veteran hooker Ollie Azam is hoping the fans are, too.
Glaws fans are snapping up tickets for the game and Azam told the Citizen: “I know the supporters will transfer their passion and support to Franklin's Gardens, take it over and cover it with Cherry and White shirts and flags.
"That support means everything to us. It drives us on and reminds us what we're playing for – the history of the club, and the legacy.
"Every time we pull on the shirt we want to do it justice – but it's about doing those fiercely loyal supporters justice too.
"On Sunday afternoon that will be as big a motivation as ever. The fans are always awesome, even for a normal game. So I've got no doubt that they'll reserve extra-special support for this weekend."
Hopefully, the team will reserve an extra-special performance too.
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