TW happy with Gloucester's pre-season progress


TW - pleased
By Cherry Picker
August 4 2009

Tom Walkinshaw says he’s happy with the pre-season progress made by new coach Bryan Redpath and his players, and a lot of fans who were rattled at the end of last season appear to have been mollified with the departure of Dean Ryan and Redpath’s promotion. But the real test, of course, comes on Sunday September 6 when the Guinness Premiership season begins.

That date is in itself something to look forward to as players and fans alike hope to put the memory of last season’s frustrations behind them, but the fact that the season starts at home to old rivals Bath is an added bonus, if one was needed.
Before then, there’s the pre-season testimonial against Bath on August 15, followed by successive Saturday pre-season games against Connacht and Ospreys, both of them also at Kingsholm.
And there’s also the Middlesex sevens on the same weekend as the Bath friendly, Glaws given a first round draw against London Irish.
Matthew Watkins, Llanelli ScarletsSo at last things are beginning to get busy, with one more player going through the Kingsholm revolving doors – the 13th to leave the club this summer – as centre Matthew Watkins (right) goes back to his home-town club Newport Gwent Dragons, one of the teams Glaws will play in the pool stages of the Heineken Cup.
He hardly had a look-in at Glaws and the move looks the right one for all concerned.

Walkinshaw says the club is delighted with Redpath’s first steps as senior coach, but has increased the pre-season pressure by telling the Citizen: "We do not expect next season to be a transitional one. Part of the reason we gave Bryan the job was because he has been here before and knows how the club works.
"We have every confidence in Bryan, which is why we gave him the job in the first place.”
Over to you Bryan …

TW happy with Gloucester's pre-season progress
Posted by: Shedloads (IP Logged)
Date: 04/08/2009 15:22

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
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Re: TW happy with Gloucester's pre-season progress
Posted by: Two Sheds (IP Logged)
Date: 04/08/2009 17:00

I must say I was ready for the close-season after what happened around April, but I've had my break now and I hope everybody else is as raring to go as I am.

Re: TW happy with Gloucester's pre-season progress
Posted by: shawnsheep (IP Logged)
Date: 05/08/2009 11:21

Really looking forward to the new season with optimism and enthusiasm which were missing from last year.

Not sure you should wait until October 6th though, you will have missed a few games by then!!!!!!

Re: TW happy with Gloucester's pre-season progress
Posted by: cheerycherry (IP Logged)
Date: 05/08/2009 12:29

Yep. Had enough of twiddling my thumbs on a Saturday, let's get the season underway and get behind BR and the players. I am really hoping we see some running Rugby pre season that is carried into the GP games.

Re: TW happy with Gloucester's pre-season progress
Posted by: Cherry Picker (IP Logged)
Date: 05/08/2009 14:44

"Not sure you should wait until October 6th though, you will have missed a few games by then!!!!!!"
Well spotted ss ... just wanted to make sure everybody was awake.

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