MAIDENHEAD coach Simon Edwards was distinctly unimpressed with the manner and size of his side’s defeat to Cinderford on Saturday.
In fact he left the ground straight after the final whistle, angered by what he considered a half-hearted performance, albeit against very good opposition.
He said: “Against teams like Clivedon and Cinderford you can’t play for 20 or 30 minutes. It’s not on. You have to play for 80
“I asked Allan Greene how many of our pack would get into theirs. He said none, and I agreed with him.”
However, Edwards’ biggest concern is that his players know they are out of the running for promotion and are safe from relegation, so are coasting towards the end of the season.
He said: “What we have achieved this year as a team is fantastic. But I would be intensely upset if we didn’t win another game this season. We have to finish well just for our peace of mind. I don’t want to reach the end of the season having lost the last five games.
“We’ve learned a huge amount this season but we mustn't let our hard work deteriorate over the next three games.”
Edwards also believes a strong finish to this season would provide a launch pad for a promotion challenge next term, but admitted there would have to be a sea change at the club to achieve that goal.
He said: “There is a gap between us and the top three teams and if we have any ambition we have to address that.
“We have to decide as a club if that’s what we want to do. If it is, let’s get on with it. If not we’re on a slippery slope.
“I have huge ideas for the club, but unfortunately ideas cost money nowadays in rugby.
“Our 2nds are doing fantastically well, but very few of them can step up and compete in South West 1.
“We have to attract the right players and keep them for more than one season.”
That may prove costly, but Edwards did not rule it out.
He added: “We’re very fortunate to have some fantastic sponsors.”