Wuss Supporters’ Evening Report

·         3 weeks into training

·         Training will be in 3 blocks:-

o   Building a physical foundation, strength and fitness

o   Stress and pressure, how to cope with match day pressures, decision making

o   Testing what has been achieved

·         The philosophy is to build a squad which is hard to beat

·         Initially how WW will play will not be known to the other Champ clubs but WW will be a scalp the other clubs will want to take.  ME doesn’t mind that, it will create the right reaction in his players.

·         It is far too soon to be selecting teams for the first competitive games

·         ME is not disappointed in any of the recruits, all players are working hard in training

·         There will be a behind closed doors game against Moseley before the Ampthill game

·         Every players in the squad will have the opportunity to play in the Ampthill and Bath pre-season friendlier

·         He is still recruiting; there are a number of players at the club on trial.  He declined to say how many nor the positions in which they played.  There was though a need to strengthen depth in the front 5 positions. All trialists are treated exactly the same as those already in the squad. Recruitment will be finalised before the beginning of the season.

·         The plan is still to develop an Academy once the men’s squad is established and there is aspiration to build a women’s’ team in due course.

·         There has been no decision as to captaincy; there is though a collective leadership emerging made up by the more experienced players.

·         There is no formal agreement with Bath as to loan players; neither club wanted anything formal but relationship with Bath is good

·         There should be no problem playing away at grounds which are less developed than Sixways, the players must be prepared to play anywhere

·         Currently players are being rotated constantly and there has not been any opportunity for combinations to be established

·         The 3 pre-season games will test progress made, the squad after all has been built from scratch

·         Despite season ticket sales being ahead of expectations ME is not asking for more money to be spent on the squad

·         When asked if WW won the league would the club be promoted ME said “yes”. But there were no targets for the season, WW was a long term project, there would not be a focus on league position

·         No ref mike system will be available but BBC H&W will be commentating on games home and away.

·         The idea of the players doing a lap around the pitch before their warm up was raised from the floor.  This will be considered, the players will be consulted.

·         ME would not comment on missing ingredients in WW’s performance before Administration, the focus was on “the now”.

Thoughts: Everard and Cruse seem to have good chemistry between them , they have known each other for some time having been together at Wasps. It was, TC said an easy decision to come to Worcester when approached by ME.

And, yes, ME did say that promotion would be accepted if WW topped the league. However he did not elaborate at all and there was no opportunity for the floor to pursue that one.