Dean Ryan pulled no punches in the aftermath of Gloucester's heartbreaking 26-25 play-off semi-final defeat to Leicester.
Gloucester boss rues poor play-off performance
Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan pulled no punches in the aftermath of his side's heartbreaking 26-25 play-off semi-final defeat to Leicester at Kingsholm.
The Gloucester boss could only sit back and watch in disbelief as Andy Goode slotted over a last-gasp drop goal to ensure it is the Tigers who will face Wasps in the Guinness Premiership final showdown at Twickenham on May 31.
Ryan claimed his side's display was as poor as it has been for some time, and was left to rue missed opportunities in the first half as Gloucester relinquished a 22-13 lead to lose by a single point.
"We got what we deserved," Ryan told
Sky Sports 2.
"That is as poor as I've seen us play for six or seven weeks and when you come down to these final stages if you play poorly you are going to get knocked out.
Committed suicide
"We got everything we deserved and we take full accountability because that was a game we could and should have won quite easily.
"Some of our opportunities in the first half we took options that I couldn't understand, we took options and committed suicide in the second half when all we needed to do was calm things down, play the percentages and be patient - we weren't any of those things."
The former England international refused to blame the occasion for the below-par display which ultimately saw Gloucester's eight month lead at the top of the Guinness Premiership count for nothing.
"When you're not on your game and your playing knock-out rugby we haven't got anywhere to go from here," he said.
"It's not about temperament, I just think we made stupid choices - we've been in this environment for two weeks so it's not about the environment or pressure being thrust upon us.
"For the last few weeks we have been smart and we have been doing the right things and today we weren't."
Tigers joy
Leicester boss Marcelo Loffreda revealed his obvious delight with the win and sent out a warning to Guinness Premiership title rivals Wasps by saying: "We are not going to give up."
Argentina World Cup coach Loffreda's job was seemingly on the line just two weeks ago as Tigers struggled to secure Heineken Cup qualification.
But despite finishing fourth after the 22-game regular season, they reached their fourth successive Premiership final by securing a first away win for any club in six seasons of play-offs.
Loffreda said: "Newspapers can say what they want, but I coached with a lot of confidence in what I believe, and these are the things I will keep on doing.
"Sometimes it goes well and sometimes it goes bad. In the last few weeks, everyone was trying to work in the same way and that is what makes me happy.
"The squad and the staff have been very supportive, also the board. It was important so I could work more relaxed, but we are still in the race and that is all that matters.
"I have said a few times before that we are not going to give up."
