It would be crazy to let bad feelings run away with you
It seems we at Saracens upset Northampton a bit by ending their unbeaten home record at Franklin’s Gardens a couple of weeks ago.
But while that will count for nothing when we lock horns again in the Premiership semi-final on Sunday, it would be crazy to let bad feeling or emotion run away with you on the field.
It’s one thing getting fired up in a bit of pre-match hype, but keeping your discipline is quite another. Indeed, those who have been doing much of the talking this week are those who don’t necessarily have the best disciplinary records, so it will be interesting to see how the Saints go about firing us up.
As for us, we couldn’t get going into the semi-finals in any better form. Breaking our duck with a first ever victory at Leicester last week sent confidence and belief in the squad to a whole new level.
The other semi-final is just as intriguing. Like Northampton, Leicester will obviously be hurt by us ending their unbeaten home record last week, and they come up against a Bath team, who have enough good players and decision-makers in the ranks to spring a surprise.
Elsewhere this week, the club have announced an exciting new partnership with satellite navigation leaders Garmin to become our main sponsor next season.
On the field, it was also the week Justin Marshall announced his retirement from the game. We knew about Justin’s decision before he made it public knowledge and he will be sorely missed here. He’s been absolutely brilliant for us and has influence has really rubbed off on the younger players.
It was also nice to see Schalk Brits and Ernst Joubert named among the five nominations as Premiership Player of the Year. Both have been magnificent all year for us, but they do not need awards to know how much we recognise that.
Brendan Venter is head coach of Saracens. For box office, call 01727 792800.