Tom Watkins wants more leadership from Telford Tigers' senior players
Telford Tigers player-coach Tom Watkins has called on his senior players to set an example as he bids to solve his side's defensive troubles, writes James Shaw.
The Tigers have struggled to contain teams in the early stages of recent games, with last weekend seeing them effectively lose both matches in the first 10 minutes.
Watkins is looking to the leaders in Telford's dressing room to encourage the younger players – and encourage them to pressure sides from the first whistle.
He said: "We need to come out flying, but in too many games we are on the back foot straight away. We tell the guys to get warmed up and prepared, but they just don't seem ready.
"I don't know if it is nerves, or tensions, but it is up to the leaders, like the captain and the more experienced players to get the others going.
"A lot of the time, if I am away on the bench, I won't be in the dressing room, and those guys need to manage, cajole and get everyone up for the game."
The clash with Bracknell was especially disappointing, as the visitors struck with their first goal after just 25 seconds, and another one minute later.
A win may well have been on the cards for Telford, had they not conceded those two early strikes.
But with a mountain to climb, the Tigers were never able to gain the upper hand.
Watkins added: "We started very badly. We asked to guys to be more physical and I don't think they played anywhere near the level I wanted them to.
"To give up a goal on the first shift gave us a long way to go. We dug in, but we can't keep doing it to ourselves. It is killing us."
