Team Bath boss Jess Thirlby critical of her side's performance against London Pulse
Wednesday 13 March 2019 13:20, UK
Team Bath head coach Jess Thirlby claimed she was being "realistic" and not "negative" by criticising her side’s performance in their victory against London Pulse.
Bath won 64-60 on Monday in the Netball Superleague but Pulse scored eight more goals in the final quarter as they tried to close the gap.
"We were, at times, sluggish," Thirlby said. "We didn't get out of third gear and lacked discipline with ball in hand.
"We started excellently at 5-1 but, after, we weren't sharp enough with our movements and at critical moments when we could have built a lead.
"I'm not being negative, I'm just being realistic. Getting the points was the most important thing but what we need to work on is the style with which we're performing.
"When we came off a big win against Loughborough we were not good against Mavericks. Tonight we managed to dig deep to get over the line but that won't be enough against the top teams, so we need to make sure our performances get better."
Thirlby reserved praise for player of the match Sophie Drakeford-Lewis: "She has got better and better. She has learned her trade, how to be effective in her position without having to do everything on her own."
Watch more Vitality Netball Superleague when Loughborough Lightning host Wasps in Round Ten on Monday, March 18 live on Sky Sports Mix, Main Event & Action from 6.45pm. Also, Sky Sports will be showing every game of the 2019 Vitality Netball World Cup in July.
