Usually after a single point defeat I would expect to write this column talking about how unlucky we have been, how we have gone down fighting tooth and nail for 80 minutes of end to end blood and guts rugby. The type of game that leaves you wishing the week away so you can get your next fix as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, Saturday was as far from that as United Kingdom winning Eurovision.
The worst thing about that performance at Sandy Park wasn’t the lack of heart shown on the pitch, it wasn’t even the absence of desire, or the complete inability and ineptitude (again) to have any semblance of game management or leadership at crucial times. For me it was how utterly numb and detached I have become in recent weeks to what my eyes are viewing.
A pre-requisite for any team is giving 100 per cent commitment and fight, supporters can forgive if that minimum requirement has been exhibited. Unfortunately with a few exceptions I did not see that. We had a man advantage for 60 minutes against an Exeter Chiefs team that have their own problems.
They were there for the taking and again we forgot our lines. Why is that? Aside from a few stellar Bears performances why has it been that way for most of this season?
When Pat Lam came to BS3 he arrived with a vision, a solid game plan that was tried tested and more importantly delivered. He performed nothing short of a sporting miracle at Connacht. Ambition, drive and team ethos exuded from every pore. He sold us the dream and we bought into it.
After suffering for years in the doldrums this was to be the catalyst for Bristol Rugby to come out of the shadows. Finally we had a leader who would catapult us to the summit of English Premiership Rugby.
Granted mitigating factors like the players contract fiasco have chipped away at his air of invincibility but I just don’t see the same person when stood in front of the cameras post match anymore.
We have one huge final game against Gloucester in the Rifles Cup to claim the last spot for top-eight qualification to the Champions Cup. Desire and commitment is a must. Up The Bears!
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