Northampton boss Jim Mallinder insists his side are not yet at their best despite making it five wins out of five in the Premiership with a 24-6 win over Wasps.
Two tries from James Wilson and 14 points from Stephen Myler's set up the win that moved Saints to the top of the table.
"It is pleasing to win five out of five, but I don't think we have really reached top gear. There is still a little bit more to come from us," said Mallinder.
"We defended well to keep them out, but attacking-wise we could sharpen up in a few areas. If we can do that then I am sure we can put some teams to the sword.
"We probably wasted a couple of chances there. I would have loved a bonus point, but overall I am happy with the win."
Wasps director of rugby Dai Young revealed wing James Bailey was taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg after being carried off on a stretcher.
Prop Tim Payne was sin-binned on his 250th appearance for the club, and Young added: "We will have a good look at it. That is what they are there for. If that is a yellow card offence you are going to take it."
Comments
bullitt says...
Red hot? Where were they 5 games in last year?
Posted 14:35 01st October 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
But Malindar is a slave driver. He's doing well as always so I'm not saying change much but Saints always come out red hot start of season and are burned out. They're in the top 2. I think he should try a bit of "good enough" until the second half of season. I wouldn't recommend that for any other coaches just for Mallindar.
Posted 14:50 30th September 2012
spudsandgravey says...
I bet Dai Young will take yellow card!! It should have been red and the TMO needs better glasses than the ones he was rocking on Friday night. Payne should know better and it was disappointing to see from a man earning his 250th Wasps appearance. I had hoped we had seen an end to that type of thuggery but Payne seems to be anchored in the amateur days of old. Hopefully a well deserved citing will bring back into the modern game.
Posted 14:18 30th September 2012
bullitt says...
Its a typically English thing to rest on laurels and say "good enough". I'm pleased to see Jim wanting continual improvement instead of the regular "that'll do" of years gone by. The great teams don't just want to get to the top, they want to get to the top and stay there.
Posted 09:37 30th September 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Jim should not drive them any harder. They don't need to hit top gear till end of season. If he insists they improve now he will have the same old end of season empty tank. Good enough.
Posted 10:00 29th September 2012