We had all hoped we had made the leap forward, see what I did there, and had made the move in the right direction after the game against Bristol. We looked sharp and dominated up front in that game, with the backs showing some of the form we knew was within them. Jump forward to the Saracens game two weeks later and yes they were the form team in the Premiership but we had hoped for more than we got. A little bit of a holiday hangover we thought and let’s get at Quins a team with just as bad a record in recent games as we had.

Well what can I say about that game that hasn't already on the board at length. We looked slow, disjointed and were outplayed by a very average team. The only thing that kept it from being a complete and utter drubbing was a boot that belonged on a Skoda not a rugby player. Not one thing was wrong that game but we seemed to be playing as individuals and not a team, the same team play that has kept in the Premiership for the last four seasons. This is what has been missing in my opinion and this is what we need to get the wins for the Warriors.

What better time then than the infamous Friday nights at Fortress Sixways to do this then. As we all know there is something magical about the atmosphere on these floodlit nights and the temperature is always boiling with the Sixway's faithful in good voice. We will play our part and make Sixways what it always has been on these night time kick offs, a cauldron of noise. The whole atmosphere is electric and all the 10000 plus fans want, is tries and plenty of passion from our men in Blue and Gold.

So what about our opponents this Friday? Well they are on a high after a good victory over the Tigers and they do have one of the best line-outs next to ours and a good heavy pack to test the mettle of any in the league. We need to be strong, quick and not shy away from this but not commit too many men as we know they can break with speed and have pace to burn in the backs. Our real saving grace is their weakness at the moment in the half back area, not like ours but through call ups and injuries they are weaker here than at anytime this season. This doesn't mean we should underestimate them but we might, just might be able to control the game from here.

Which brings me to our own half backs. Ryan Powell has just signed a new extension to his contract and it's up to him and Matt Powell to step and be counted now more than ever. Neither has been in sparking form this season and as it looks like these will be our scrum halves next year they need to show us the form and potential that the coaches see them. With Shane Drahm and Loki recalled to the squad on paper we are more than a match for the Exiles. If only the games were played on paper!

I am still confident that sometime soon we should all click and the results we crave will come to us. I am also sure, though recent results have tested my resolve, that we can stay up in the Premiership. The players that have come in this year, the players that have re-signed now have to repay the faith that the coaches have in them and turn in one of those magical Friday night performances. Remember a few years ago on a Friday night when an in form Wasps side visited our little city and were sent away by a team that shouldn't, on form, have won. We did it then and we can do it again this Friday.

Mike Ruddock and Clive Griffiths are proven at all levels of the game and we need them and the players led by our own Captain Fantastic to make this a Friday night to remember.

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