Fans frustrated by Gloucester silence

Thursday 14 January 2010
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Guinness Premiership > Gloucester

Gloucester bosses and coaches need to speak up if fans are to have any faith in their management of the club, according to one local newspaper. The Citizen made a call for greater transparency, arguing that supporters are out of the loop.

So what is the case against the club? The article argues that other Guinness Premiership sides have been taking strides in re-signing players or replacing those who they know are leaving. But the owners of Gloucester were described as being "ominously quiet", despite having around 20 players whose contracts are due to come to an end this year.

This week brought the news that Nick Wood will be remaining at Kingsholm for at least another three years, the 27-year-old prop having made more than 100 appearances to date.

But with rumours that Carlos Spencer is on his way out in full swing, fans may be hoping for more firm commitments. The Citizen suggested that a simple statement concerning the salary cap would suffice, as it is simply not known how much has been spent and what the plans are for the coming year.

And it's not just the backroom staff who are coming under fire - Gloucester are currently ninth in the league table and the paper observed that only Leeds have conceded more tries or more points per game.

"The retort of the coaches to all of this is that it's the players who are making the errors, but it really isn't that simple," it stated, suggesting that the sheer volume of international players in the squad proves something is amiss with the coaching.

And a warning was given to those at the top, with season ticket holders said to be "seriously considering not renewing" them - "firing a warning shot across the bows of the good ship Gloucester Rugby".