Aviva Premiership: Exeter Chiefs coach Rob Baxter wary of Newcastle Falcons threat
Saturday 4 October 2014 14:14, UK
Rob Baxter, the Exeter head coach, insists there is no space for complacency in the Chiefs camp as they travel to face a Newcastle Falcons side who boast the third-worst record in Aviva Premiership history.
Newcastle have been defeated in their last 20 Premiership outings and a 35-18 reverse at the hands of Wasps last weekend offered little signs of hope for Dean Richards' side.
It is nigh on a year since the Falcons celebrated a top flight victory, London Irish were the victims that day, but Baxter is wary of the threat posed by the once Premiership champions.
On Sunday, we are going to be attacked in a different way, so we have to be just as focused on the way they attack and be just as physical.
Although those Falcons glory days - lifting the title in 1997/98 - are now distant memories, Baxter expects his in-form Chiefs, who have made an explosive start to new campaign, to be on their guard.
"Every game we have played this season has looked winnable because we have been on good form," Baxter reflected.
"But I think the big issue with this game - and I know people will say there is pressure on Newcastle because they are near the bottom of the table - but is there really any pressure on a team that has lost 20 games?
"Not really, simply because you can go and play because no-one is expecting a different result.”
The Chiefs have already claimed the scalps of Premiership heavyweights this campaign, beating Gloucester as well as a morale-boosting 36-13 triumph over last year’s semi-finalists Harlequins last weekend, but Baxter is taking the season step-by-step.
Danger
"You can go out and put in one of those big emotional performances and you can celebrate having your first win in a long time,” he added. “That is the danger with them.
"They have changed their game as they said they would, and they have broadened their threatening game, so we have to be very aware because in some ways they bring more threats than what Harlequins did last week.
"I know that sounds strange, but the way they (Quins) play and the way we defended, we snuffed out some key individuals for them.
"On Sunday, we are going to be attacked in a different way, so we have to be just as focused on the way they attack and be just as physical."
Exeter have opted not to risk England winger Jack Nowell, who has recently returned to action following injury, on the synthetic surface at Kingston Park, so Wales international Tom James replaces him.
Other changes from the side that beat Quins last time out see centre Iain Whitten replace Sam Hill and lock Don Armand take over from Mitch Lees as the Chiefs seek a bonus-point win which will see them draw level with Bath at the Premiership summit.
"What I hope, what I expect and what I demand of the players this weekend is that our motivation to get further up the table is more than Newcastle wanting to get away from the bottom, so that is very much the battle for us," Baxter said.
"We have to go again this weekend and put in another high-level performance which, we hope, will be enough to beat what will be a tough Newcastle side."
