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| Williamson: 'No Repeat' |
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| Falcons flanker Ed Williamson |
| 13 October 2009, 12:45 pm |
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| Falcons flanker Ed Williamson insists his Newcastle side will build on their position as Pool 5 leaders, as they host Albi in Sunday's Amlin Challenge Cup encounter at Kingston Park (kick-off 3pm). |
The French outfit provide the opposition as the Falcons look to build on their 29-27 triumph at Italian side Petrarca Padova last weekend, with the openside adamant that the hosts will raise their game.
“Other than the result it’s pretty hard to find many positives from the way we played last weekend, but we’re determined to put it right,” said a candid Williamson.
“We will obviously take the win and the bonus point and use it to our advantage in trying to cement a quarter-final place, but the coaches quite rightly came down hard on us in the changing room after the final whistle on Saturday.
“I suppose you could say it’s progress to play so badly and still come away with a bonus point win, but the boys certainly aren’t patting themselves on the back and the coaches were right to have a go at us for the way we played.”
Looking to the reasons, he admitted: “There was definitely a lot of complacency in going over there, which is all the more annoying given how much the coaches drilled into us during the week that we needed to go over there and be professional. The build-up was spot-on and the coaching staff prepared us fantastically, so as players we have to stand up and take full responsibility for going out there and not doing what we were told.
“We played Padova three years ago and beat them easily, so maybe in our minds we thought we were just going to turn up and do the same thing again. When the heavens opened before the game and there was water lying all over the pitch, we were perhaps laughing and joking around saying that we were going to slip and slide a bit out there.
“The surroundings of Venice and Padova, with all the magnificent architecture and attractions, I think contributed to us slipping into a bit of a holiday mentality. The most frustrating thing about that is the fact that the coaches sat us down on Saturday morning and specifically mentioned it, so it’s not as if we hadn’t been warned. It hurts me to say it, but as players our professionalism let us down last weekend.
“It was a frustrating and horrible game to play in, the coaches really got stuck into us afterwards and there was basically a sense of ‘thank God it’s over’ when that final whistle came. It was the kick up the backside we needed, undoubtedly, and there will certainly be no repeat against Albi this Sunday.”
Searching for their second successive victory this Sunday against an Albi team beaten 17-7 at home to Montauban last Friday, Williamson said: “We’re a proud group and we want to show Europe and England that we deserve to be at the top of these competitions, so the intensity has really been raised this week because we’re determined to put things right.
“There is a lot of work going in this week, we know we can play and we feel as if we’re just one pass away from being a very good side.
“It could just be a getting to know each other thing, with so many new players this season, and we’ll definitely come out firing right from the very start on Sunday.
“A win against Albi, ideally with a bonus point, would have us looking pretty strong at the top of the group, and from there we want to take that form into the Guinness Premiership with Bath and Worcester both coming up.”
Looking to his own personal contribution, he added: “I’ve been working hard this year, but as yet I’ve not quite found my groove to the same extent as last season.
“It’s not easy to put my finger on it, but I’m putting in some work with Alan Tait now to make me a lot more dynamic when I’m carrying the ball.
“Defences are much more sophisticated now, and gone are the days when you could just stick it under one arm and charge at them. I need to keep the ball in two hands and really interest the defenders, give them some decisions to make and look to put people through gaps more.
“The other thing is that my tackle count this season has not been as high as I want it to be, which is disappointing and is also something I’m working on with the coaches. I’m plugging away at all of these things and I always put my effort in, so it’s just a case of getting on with it and finding my rhythm again.”
Advanced junior tickets for Sunday’s game start from just £2, with concessions from £4 and adults from £5. To book, call 0871 226 60 60, or visit Kingston Park on matchday. |
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