Bath coach Toby Booth has called on his side to keep pace with the league's top four sides ahead of visiting Wasps this weekend.
Currently seven points outside the playoff places, Booth has acknowledged that his side must begin to build momentum against their fifth-placed hosts on Sunday after a 22-0 home defeat to Saracens and a 12-12 draw with Exeter.
"It is all about hanging in there and making sure that we remain in the mix," said Booth to the Bath Chronicle.
"We are only one win behind that group at the top, so we need to get ourselves in position for when the next round of matches get under way.
"That's when everything starts to get a bit more serious, so it's important that we keep ourselves in touch."
"They've [Wasps] certainly improved since we played before and are on a good run of results at the moment."
"That creates confidence, which in turn allows you to play better and with more freedom.
"It's going to be a tough test for us because they played extremely well at the weekend. We're going to have to be right on our mettle from the word go.
"Wasps play an expansive style of rugby, so we are going to have to be right on our game in both attack and defence because we know they have players with the ability to cause us problems."
"The good news for us is that Nick Abendanon was injured last week but is available for selection again this weekend."
Comments
1st58 says...
@AP - I think Donald's huge contract is holding back our development as it kills us on the salary cap (and is one of many bad signings made by SIM).
We still need reserve props who can scrummage, and strengthening of the back row - as we are carrying too many ordinary players - however, we are headed in the right direction, and I expect the season after next to be our real breakthrough.
Posted 10:44 04th January 2013
APV1 says...
Keeping in touch is the least we should be doing. I think this season has to be the last of our "development" and "rebuilding" seasons and we need to start actually achieving next. If not, what's going on? We've got some of the best training facilities in the AP; some great players and fiercly loyal supporters. A few key signings and we have the makings of being champions again.
ALLEZ! ALLEZ! ALLEZ!
Posted 09:55 03rd January 2013