Andy Key; "It’s not too late for Leeds"
Leeds Carnegie director, Andy Key acknowledged that his team is going through a rough patch. They are experiencing this tough position during a prolonged fight for survival in Aviva Premiership. But Key also accepts that it’s too quick to judge Leeds fate. The team has yet to face Newcastle Falcons in a decisive league clash on Monday. Newcastle Falcons are one position above the bottom team, Leeds. The match between both sides at Kingston Park is likely to create a 10 point gap between them if Newcastle Falcons grab the victory. The two bottom teams will face each other. Will it be a bottoms up for Leeds?
Leeds Carnegie stands at the bottom with three points that they earned as bonus, after losing all the nine matches this season. Whereas, Newcastle Falcons stand second last with 10 points from the two matches they won out of nine. There’s a huge gap in between the two teams and even the other top teams. Northampton tops the table with the total of 37 points. Leeds Carnegie, an English rugby union club has so far seen the worst this season. It is a very alarming situation for the club and assures no way back. Leeds Carnegie has lost its color in past few years. Last time the club won a title, was the Powergen Cup in 2005. The club also holds a record of highest scoring match and largest winning gap. The match was against Manchester as they won with an astonishing score of 104-0.
Leeds was relegated two years ago from English Rugby’s top flight. Leeds will move to north-east to play the next match, while Hendre Fourie and Steve Thompson make their first premiership appearance. The two forwards, last time played in October and now they are back to play for Leeds. Andy Key seems happy about this positive change in the squad. Key is confident that they can still turn the corner as it is a must-win game for both the sides. There is still a long way to go in the season and Andy Key looks positive in his comments. The director gave last year’s example and said,
"I remember this time last year we played Bath at Headingley Carnegie and people were talking about that being a relegation decider, but in actual fact Bath went on to finish in the top four and we finished in 10th."
Andy Key was appointed as the Director of Rugby, for Leeds Carnegie, in 2008. He has previously worked for Leicester as the Head of Rugby Development. He has seen his side through to National One Trophy at Twickenham. The fifty-one-year-old Rugby star has primarily played in Tigers throughout his career, following his father’s footsteps. Andy’s brothers have been professional footballers. He has also played for Bedford and Nottingham. Other then the two long-term injured players Sean Hohneck and Andy Titterrell, Leeds has a complete squad. All the players are ready to encounter Newcastle Falcons. With Fourie and Thompson fronting Leeds, Andy Key is confident about the coming match win. On the other hand, Newcastle has Euan Murray making his debut for Falcons. Jason Spice, Cardiff Blues number nine also makes an entry to the Falcons with Murray. Euan Murray said,
"This is a massive club with a lot of ambition, and I can't wait to get stuck in and help the team get up the league and achieve some success,"
Murray seems happy to be a part of Falcons and believes that this is the club where he will get more chances with the ball. He is looking forward to get his game up. The upcoming match is a close call for both the sides. As time is passing, more statements and previews are coming to cover this clash, which is taking place this Monday. Leeds Carnegie has a lot to restore, whereas the Newcastle Falcons have a lot to gain to leave their mark this season. A large number of Newcastle fans are expected, as Leeds Carnegie meet head-on with the home team in a critical match at the Kingston Park.
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