Handshake sign of how Davies respects players
MAN management can be every bit as important as technical skill when it comes to coaching.
Sometimes the 'best' coach does not always produce the most success – handling the players shrewdly can be just as vital.
It ain't what you do it's the way that you do it maybe – and so far Nigel Davies has been able to wave a magic wand across Kingsholm, leaving Cherry and Whites fans wide-eyed with astonishment.
There does not need to be any scientific or logical backing for the fact that Davies has done a good job so far.
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It is patently obvious that one of Davies' strengths is showing respect for his players.
Every time a player is substituted, Davies meets them at the touchline with a handshake.
Small in the grand scheme, but it matters to each man leaving the field.
Sometimes changes are tactical, sometimes because a player might have had a bit of a nightmare.
But the handshake acknowledges the effort that has gone in and that small gesture is significant because no player takes the field with the intention of playing badly or messing things up.
Mistakes tomorrow will be a luxury because Leicester always have the ability to punish errors.
The Tigers work hard at their aura of uncompromising, tough, mean-looking battlers with plenty of scars as proof of former battles.
They can, however, be beaten. The first thing Gloucester have to do is believe. Words mean little and deeds will translate far better than oratory. There will be a teeny-weeny bit of help from the supporters and the Kingsholm bear pit has to give the home side the initial edge.
The breakdown will decide this contest. Tigers have many years' history gobbling up 50-50 possession, and what they don't win they slow down to the extreme.
Gloucester need to shift the initial defenders around tomorrow, as any straight-running will be an early Christmas present for the visitors.
Any attempt to go too wide too soon will be punished without issue.
Parity at least and potential dominance up front will be crucial.
The theory is simple, but requires 80 minutes of total commitment and concentration.
A gambling man might back Leicester to win six out of ten matches against Gloucester.
But the odds are often superseded by great deeds, especially in a hothouse atmosphere like Kingsholm.
Time to show them how.
Comments
by walker1105
Friday, October 26 2012, 6:37AM
“Nigel Davies has been the signing of the season. Thank goodness the club didn't take any notice of the ridiculous calls by one Gloucester City supporter (that's right, a football supporter) to hire someone like an Eddie O'Sullivan.”