Bryan Redpath says that certain members of the Gloucester squad "need to grow up" after their narrow win against Leeds.
Gloucester boss tell players to 'grow up'
Gloucester head coach Bryan Redpath says that certain members of his squad "need to grow up" after their narrow win against Leeds Carnegie.
The Cherry and Whites had to rely on a late penalty from Nicky Robinson to scrape a 22-21 victory at Kingsholm.
The hosts raced out into a big lead in the opening stages of the contest but fell behind after squandering numerous opportunities against the battling visitors.
And Redpath, who criticised his team after their loss to newly-promoted Exeter last Saturday, is still less than impressed despite watching his side register their first win of the Aviva Premiership season.
"There were too many handling errors again. Some of the players need to grow up and we are not growing up quickly enough," he said.
Fortunate
"We were fortunate today and, for periods of the game, we were the better side. But Leeds will be aggrieved that they didn't win that game.
"Straight after half-time, Charlie (Sharples) dropped the ball. Then we had a penalty straight in front of the posts, and four or five other chances. We are not working hard enough when we get into the position.
"Whether it is arrogance, I don't know but I have asked the question. We need to respect Gloucester Rugby Club more. We will never be a good side unless we stick to the basics of the game."
Captain Mike Tindall echoed his coach's sentiments and believes that a vast improvement is needed in the coming weeks.
He added: "We have to be upfront and honest with each other. Things have to be said.
"All around the field, we were forcing offloads not just by one player but by every player. Not taking that tap penalty under the sticks was not good enough.
Learn
"That is not what we are about. If we are going to get better and perform better, we have to learn that.
"If it means that these two games give us a kick up the backside, then so be it. During the week in training is no problem.
"Handling-wise is very good and sometimes it seems we are turning up and complacency comes into it."
Leeds boss Neil Back was also left disappointed after seeing his side let a winning position slip due to indiscipline in the closing stages.
Back said: "We put ourselves in a position to win it. Should we have won it? Not with the performance of the first half. There were poor tries conceded and Gloucester did not have to work too hard to score.
"But we are really disappointed that our game management in the last five minutes should have been better. I am sure the referee at the end would have been looking for an opportunity to give a penalty.
"He found one and gave it. That's a bit of naivety and, through our review process, we will take about that and how to seal a game."
