Exeter Chiefs fans are reeling after a frustrating loss to Bristol, leaving Head Coach Rob Baxter visibly disappointed. But here's the thing: Baxter isn't hitting the panic button just yet. He acknowledges the slip-up but insists this early-season defeat won't define their entire campaign. While a loss is always tough, especially when the opposition played a significant portion of the game with only 14 men, Baxter's perspective is all about the bigger picture.
The Chiefs went down 18-14 against Bristol, a result that saw them drop to sixth in the Premiership standings. A late disallowed try only added to the frustration. Speaking to BBC Radio Devon, Baxter didn't mince words: "We were up there talking as coaches and going 'really, we've let this one slip' and I think we have." But here's where it gets controversial... Some might argue that dwelling on the 'slip' is exactly what the team should be doing, analyzing every detail to prevent future mistakes. What do you think?
However, Baxter quickly countered any potential overreaction. He emphasized that expecting perfection from the outset was unrealistic. "I can't believe people think we were coming into this season as the finished article and we were just going to either win or draw, go the season unbeaten," he stated. He stressed the need for continuous improvement: "We've still got a lot of hard work to become a great side, but all we've got to do is keep doing that day by day and week by week." This highlights a key aspect of successful teams: the commitment to ongoing development, not just relying on initial talent.
Baxter also provided some much-needed perspective. "I said to the lads 'we weren't the best team in the Premiership last week when we beat Newcastle and we're not the worst team in the Premiership now because we lost by a few points to Bristol'." He underscored the importance of maintaining a balanced view, avoiding the extremes of elation after a win and despair after a loss. This kind of level-headed approach is crucial for team morale and long-term success. And this is the part most people miss... it's not just about the wins and losses, but about the consistent process of getting better.
Despite the setback, Exeter's overall progress compared to last season is undeniable. Remember, they finished second-from-bottom last year – a historically low point for the club. This season, they've secured a bonus point in every game so far and have already accumulated nearly a third of the total points they earned throughout the entirety of last season in just three matches! These are clear signs of improvement and a testament to the hard work being put in.
Baxter remains optimistic. "I think there's a lot for us to get excited about as a team," he said, refusing to let one defeat derail their progress. He added, "We've turned up, we were way closer to winning today than we were this time last year, or indeed most games away from home." He highlighted the shift in perception: "Today, most people are going to go 'how did Exeter not win that?' - that wasn't being said very often last season away from home." This indicates a significant improvement in their competitiveness and ability to challenge opponents, even on the road.
Ultimately, Baxter's message is one of forward momentum. "So let's keep looking ahead and not keep trying to look down." He's urging his team, and the fans, to maintain a positive outlook and focus on continued growth. The season is a marathon, not a sprint, and there will be bumps along the way. But the key is to learn from those bumps and keep striving for improvement. Do you agree that this season is already a vast improvement on the last, even with this early defeat? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
