Hazell defends Gloucester
Veteran Gloucester player Andy Hazell has defended the club after a poor start to the Premiership.
The 32-year-old has fought off criticism from the club's fans and critics that have said the side lacks ambition and passion. He says the standard of the Premiership is higher than ever and no one cares
more than every single member of the team.
Gloucester is currently in tenth place in the Premiership with five points after three games. The club has only managed to score 48 points so far and this is a lower total than any other side.
Hazell says there is no lack of effort and the bad start has come due to a number of avoidable errors. However, there is little doubt the players can do more to convince the fans.
Bad errors
A number of individual errors are to blame for the club's two losses in the Premiership so far. Gloucester has not looked on the pace and the side has given the opposition numerous chances to score.
These chances have come through errors such as poor passing and dropping the ball in key areas of the pitch. Head coach Bryan Redpath was also furious over the number of penalties his team gave away during
the 23-16 defeat by London Irish.
There has been a clear lack of urgency in Gloucester's games so far. There is enough time in a rugby match to settle down and grind out wins but Gloucester's laid back approach to games is not working.
Hazell said: "We are desperate to do well. We know that the club demands us to do well. That includes the fans, the coaches and us as players. It is hard because when the team make mistakes you want to
say 'stop doing it'. But everyone thinks that. Nobody wants to drop a ball and no one wants to give a forward pass."
More convincing
The fans will need more convincing after the club's bad start. Fans pay good money to go and watch the team and all they expect is players to
try out of their skin to do well.
Gloucester needs a few players in the team to take the team by the scruff of the neck and drive forward. This will push the side through this difficult patch. It will also show that the players are up
for a fight and are willing to scrap for every point the club can gain.
Hazell added: "The changing room is not the best place to be at the minute because we are desperate to do better and we know we can do better. You can train all you like and no ball goes down, but when
it comes to that match pressure maybe we are just forcing it that one pass too many. We do handling from nine in the morning till five in the afternoon."
Betting advice
Remember that Bath was bottom of the table after a few games last season and still made the title play-offs. Gloucester can make the top four this season and keep faith with the current side. Bet now because
the odds will be good and will only shorten once the side starts winning games.
Gloucester has too much quality across the team and it should take one good win to get some belief and confidence back in the dressing room. The fans will be satisfied if the coach can get the players
showing great effort levels.
Bet in play for now because it's clear the side is struggling. This won't last forever but betting in play is a much safer option until you're aware the side is playing much better rugby every week.
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