I would like to see improvements in fitness, attitude, discipline on a week by week basis. I'm hoping we see a big step change in work ethic and organization. I'm hoping that when each weekend game comes around the players look as if they have been working during the week to improve their game both collectively and individually. Rather than, as has been the case this year, looking as if they have never met each other before and have no idea what the objective of rugby is!
In short, whether we win or lose, I want to see us being a competitive side once more. Stop these towel-throwing hammerings which have become the norm over recent years (this year especially). At least do themselves justice.
I do think our recruitment for next year has been largely dictated by our situation, attracting decent quality to the club was probably very difficult in recent months. Anyone half-decent and in their prime years will most likely be looking for some signs that, as a club, we have turned the corner before committing themselves to us. As such, we've had no choice but to sign up 'experienced' players and some with scratchy injury records. But if Cartwright can instil a far better work ethic through the squad then we should hopefully start to see some improvements on the first steps back on what is likely to take some time to redress the many errors committed in the club's name since 2016/17.
If we can win 9 games next year (1 win 3 basically) then I would view that as a decent par given where we are at right now. Anything above that, admittedly slightly low threshold, would be positive. Anything below will constitute another year's hard viewing. We clearly are not going to bound into the top three in one solitary leap, and I think we need to be realistic about what the next couple of years may hold for us. And I think most fans are aware it's a long road back and we are going to have to be patient, yet again!!
