Supporters Forum 5th Feb 2019

[ellis9]

Your predecessors were quite 'emotional' characters, how have you managed the transition in to the head coach role and keeping them in check?

Geordan: "It's pretty difficult. We really care about what we do and it really hurts me when we don't win. We watch the guys training, working hard every day and putting in more hours than people would know."

[ellis9]

What are the challenges and opportunities of the next few weeks, with it being a mini pre-season and not having internationals around plus some players out with long term injuries?

Geordan: "It's a really big block of games for us. As you say, we have a lot of guys away so today we had a really good, intense session up against Nottingham to keep that up without any games."

Geordan: "Saracens are up first and a big, talented side who play on a fast track. For us, keeping bodies fit and giving ourselves the best chance to be prepared for that, to go there and get a result."

Geordan: "This has given us the opportunity to refresh, recharge and come back to be prepared for that and the block of games to follow."

[ellis9]

Home and away fans tell me a lot that Welford Road is no longer a fortress it once was. What are your thoughts on this?

Geordan: "They are right and it's something we have addressed with the players. It's something we are working on."

Geordan: "The DNA of the club has been diluted but there's enough here, on stage with me plus a lot of experience from around the world, to improve that and continue to work on with the players to return it to being a fortress."

[ellis9]

Everyone has gone for a break.

[ellis9]

We have a new international in Jake Kerr. Can you shed some light on his rise through the ranks?

Boris: "We've spent a lot of time with Jake. His rise has been unbelievable. He's had a really good season and is only going to get better."

Mark Bakewell: "We talk about what we're looking for in players, those with strong character and a good work ethic, and Jake has that. He has the type of DNA you're looking for in a player."

Mark: "I have a lot of time for the kid, he will go a long way."

[ellis9]

Harry Wells renewed his contract today. What type of player is he and what have you seen of him since you've been coaching?

Brett Deacon: "He has everything you want in a player. His new deal is a credit to him, he's worked really hard on his game and has matured, coming on so much in the past few seasons."

[ellis9]

How much individual work goes in to a young player like Joe Heyes and how much is collective?

Mark: "It's varied, especially with younger guys. How much he has improved and his adapting to engagement, which is world class, has come from his time with Boris and the hard work he has put in."

Mark: "He's a good kid, has a really big future. He is so willing to learn."

[JP14]

I would like to know what Tigers' plans are with the CVC investment, Crumbie redevelopment?

[ellis9]

What has the impact been on the confidence of players with all the changes in recent seasons?

Mark: "I liken it to a corporation, where they may have different CEOs and direction changes over their time in a job. It comes down to the players, individually, and some will lose confidence, yes, but some of them won't."

Mark: "There is nobody with more Tigers DNA than Geordie Murphy. This club now needs to back him and buy in to the culture and direction he is taking this club. We need to be patient, all of us, and it has to have cohesion."

[Mark62]

I would like to know what Tigers' plans are with the CVC investment, Crumbie redevelopment?

Coaches aren’t going to know that that needs to be directed at Cohen and Tom

[JP14]

I would like to know what Tigers' plans are with the CVC investment, Crumbie redevelopment?

Coaches aren’t going to know that that needs to be directed at Cohen and Tom

No one from the board is present?

[ellis9]

What would be seen as success this season?

Geordan: "We aspire to make the play offs and we will be disappointed if we don't."

Geordan: "We as coaches have every bit of confidence in the players we have to get there."

Geordan: "We want to return Welford Road to being a fortress and want to compete in every single game we play."


Geordan: "We want supporters to be proud of the players and show the characteristics that we know to be those Leicester Tigers players should have."

[ellis9]

Will we be getting any players in to the squad on injury dispensation money?

Geordan: "We have got some money available for injury dispensation and have looked, regarding outside backs, but the timing of rugby around the world makes it very difficult and with the World Cup around the corner."

[ellis9]

What do you think we need to be doing to get up to the level of those clubs at the top of the Premiership pile?

Geordan: "Those sides have a huge amount of depth in numbers of internationals, but to me those teams are sides who are there to be shot down."

Mark: "Cohesion. What we need to do is accelerate the cohesion between us as coaches and the playing group as well. We want what you want, it's very important to us as well."

[Scott1]

Sorry to sound harsh but it's all a lot of talking really without saying anything!