By Cherry Picker
December 29 2010

The New Year will hopefully be full of vital games, important fixtures and pivotal days for Gloucester, but few will be as important as the first match of 2011 when Bryan Redpath takes his inconsistent team to Leeds desperate to overcome the frailty which continues to slow the team’s progress.

The frustration of losing the Boxing Day home game against Northampton was compounded when it transpired that the RU hot air tent that was shifted to Tyneside failed to save the Falcons fixture. Would it have done the trick if it had stayed at Kingsholm?
Saturday’s game will hopefully be on – Leeds now have the tent and the Glaws game is the first of a double header, rugby union followed by rugby league.
We’ll never know, of course, and we are also unlikely to learn EXACTLY what it is in the Glaws make-up that sees them win at Bath and lose at Kingston Park in a season full of unpredictability.
Leeds need a miracle already, stranded at the foot of the table without a win or a draw in nine games and absolutely desperate for a result that could turn the tide and prevent them from continuing their see-saw existence between the Premiership and the Championship.
It’s the sort of banana skin a side with Gloucester’s record this season fear, but coach Redpath says it could make the difference between success and failure for his team.
He told the Ctitizen: "Leeds are fighting for their lives, so this is another fresh challenge for us, and just as vital as any that have gone before it.
"On the opening day of the season Exeter were in that very same situation: they were fighting for their lives, but they were also fighting to prove themselves capable at this level.
"It's these sorts of games that you've got to win if you're going to get in that top four and have an impact on the playoffs.
"If you want to win anything, it's all very well getting up for the big games and getting the results against the fancied teams, but wins against top sides end up worth very little if you don't back them up in games against what some people might term lesser opposition."
Four sentences that sum up the situation perfectly – win at Leeds and you’ve done what everybody expected anyway, fail to win and you’ve flopped against weak opposition.
The law of averages says Leeds must surely win one day this season, sod’s law says it could be against Glaws.
It’s up to Redpath and his players to prove that they are better than results like the ones at Newcastle and at home to La Rochelle suggest.

Glaws start New Year with vital match

Discussion started by Shedloads (IP Logged), 29/12/2010 10:50

Shedloads
29/12/2010 10:50

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Reply Quote Report

Heckler
29/12/2010 15:05

Bring it on, the Leeds boys are well up for a kick off to the season (at last).

Enjoy your day in Leeds (hopefully not too much).

Reply Quote Report

Message List Search Log In

Your Name:
Subject:

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net