DIRECTOR of Rugby Dean Ryan has slammed his side’s critics and said Worcester Warriors deserve more respect after they secured their second victory of the season.
Warriors moved up to sixth in the Aviva Premiership and ten points above London Irish and bottom club Newcastle Falcons, who they defeated 28-20 at Sixways on Saturday.
Despite being tipped to be struggling at the bottom of table following their promotion last season, Ryan insisted he expected to get ten points from the first four games.
After securing a bonus point victory over Newcastle, Ryan slammed those who he claimed have already ‘made their mind up’ about where they are going to finish.
“We have been competitive in all four games and we have got ten points, so please give us respect,” he said.
“I am getting frustrated with everybody talking us down.
“I think we have missed opportunities for points in these last two games and I think everyone needs to start thinking – and that’s the local media and fans – where this club can go rather than keep anchoring us to where we have come from.
“I think it is frustrating the players and I think it is having an effect.”
Ryan added: “Ten points is what we expected to get and we are frustrated we did not sneak more. We have had two home games which offer us the opportunity for eight points.
“If we operate below par we won’t achieve them, but I am getting tired of press conferences where everyone is trying to anchor us to the bottom and saying ‘we did well to get a point’.
“This side needs to understand that it is much better than that and everyone needs to understand around it that it is targeting upwards not referencing the past.”
Warriors now have a two-week break from league action as attention turns to their European Challenge Cup opener against French side La Rochelle on Saturday.
A number of players have yet to feature this season and Ryan said this competition offered them the opportunity to stake their claim for a regular starting jersey.
“We want consistency in selection and we want people to show how frustrated they are in a positive way,” Ryan added.
“We had two pre-season games which is just unheard of so a lot of people have come in here and not had a game.
“If you have had a knock in pre-season you have not played yet.
“There are a lot of people who want to play and be in that changing room on a Saturday, so I will provide as many of them as possible with an opportunity to show me where they are at.”