Slump in results is not to do with form
ONE win in five games may point to a dip in form for our Saracens boys, but just because you’re on a losing streak, it doesn’t mean to say you’re playing badly, and I’m not worried at all by our current plight.
Earlier in the season we were winning matches by the odd couple of points, but now it seems to be going against us. Yes, it’s frustrating, but I feel we’re still playing well enough and I’m confident that the luck will start turning in our favour again real soon. If Derrick Hougaard lands that late penalty in the last game against Bath then there’s no issue, so, I’m not overly concerned.
It doesn’t get any easier, however. On Sunday we go to one of the form teams in the Premiership, Leeds Carnegie, who have won their last two matches, the last an impressive victory over Wasps. It’s a big challenge for us.
Just because results aren’t going our way at the moment, it doesn’t change our rotation policy, and they’ll be more freshening up at Headingley this weekend with Justin Melck and Rodd Penney coming in.
Perhaps the biggest talking point of the week from the Six Nations is the tug-of-war between England and Stade Francais over the availability of James Haskell.
I don’t know what agreement they had with the RFU, all I know is that the agreement we have with them over Steve Borthwick is perfectly acceptable. These agreements must be in place.
l Brendan Venter is head coach of Saracens. For box office call 0844 847 2481.