Ali Hepher praises Exeter squad
Exeter assistant coach Ali Hepher has praised the team for an unbelievable start to the Premiership season.
Exeter was heavily tipped to struggle this season but the club has won two out of the first three matches to sit fifth in the Premiership table with eight points on the board.
Hepher said: "We have been emphasising to the guys the mental side of the game.
They are great guys, they work so hard, probably the hardest working group of players that I have seen.
These guys are going in the right direction and we will learn masses."
Hepher has praised the way that Exeter is working hard to eradicate the difference in quality between the newly promoted club and some of the best sides in England.
Exeter is playing well in a number of areas that should secure the club's Premiership future. However, there is a danger that the honeymoon period will end as soon as other sides tighten up tactics.
Work ethic
Exeter has a very good work ethic and this has helped the side to do well so far. There are no egos in the Exeter team and all of the players are fighting for each other. This allows the team spirit and
squad harmony of the club to stay strong.
Exeter's defence seems to be raising performances levels above normal. This means that once the side gets in front of another team, there is a better chance that Exeter will stay there. Exeter's defence
is going to have to scrap and fight for every point because the season is only going to get tougher.
The Exeter coaches must be praised for preparing the team in the right way. There is no anxiety surrounding the side in any match and this allows every player in the team to play with confidence, energy
and without fear.
Sides will adapt
One reason Exeter has done so well at the start of this season is because the club was an unknown commodity. Exeter won promotion and not many Premiership sides knew a
lot about the new boys.
However, sides will adapt and tighten up over the next few weeks. Exeter has now shown how the club likes to play rugby and other sides will compensate for this. The club
is running out of the surprise factor. They made it into the Premiership in May after beating Bristol 29-10 in a play-off match up. On the year in the RFU Championship, they were 19-3.
Exeter has also shown that the team cannot be taken for granted. This means every single Premiership club will spend a little bit longer working out the tactics, which
will help to beat Exeter in a close game.
Hepher added: "We are on track but we need to back it up with another
win next Saturday at Harlequins. It will be a massive up at Quins but we'll be looking forward to the challenge."
Betting advice
Exeter has shown enough to suggest the club will be safe by next spring. The real test will come over the next few weeks. If Exeter is still competing in games and winning
a few matches then quickly get a bet on the side to stay up before the odds shorten massively.
There are numerous players you could choose to back in the Exeter team. The kicker in the side will always be a good bet to score in any match. This player will keep Exeter
within touching distance of the opposition in tight matches further into the season.
Take advantage of Exeter's good form. The side is capable of putting a big win together against a less in form side such as Leeds. Back the side to win by a big margin
unless the opposition is a team fancied to break the top four.
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