Gold makes good first impression
July 18, 2012 11:35:02 UK
Bath captain Stuart Hooper has been impressed with the early impact made by new head coach Gary Gold.
Stuart Hooper has praised the early work of head coach Gary Gold at Bath.The South African took over from Sir Ian McGeechan after a disappointing 2011/12 campaign, where they eventually finished in eighth position in the Aviva Premiership.
In addition, a coaching restructuring has brought about fresh optimism and Hooper believes Gold is the right man to lead them forward.
"Obviously, Gary met with us as a squad early in pre-season and put across a very, very good first impression," he said.
"He was very clear on what was going to be happening, very clear on what he wanted things to look like and, as a player, initially that's all you want.
"He spoke very, very well to the boys and with a great deal of passion as well about what he wants to achieve with us."
After a frustrating time last season, Hooper insists that they have not set themselves a goal, despite the ambitions of owner Bruce Craig.
Gary met with us as a squad early in pre-season and put across a very, very good first impression.
Stuart Hooper
He added: "We're only in the very early stages. The work they've (the coaches) done away from here, they bring with them huge experience and I'm sure that over the coming weeks and months we'll all get to know each other a lot better.
"We haven't gone too much into specifics about targets, but it's more about us as people: how we speak to each other, how we conduct ourselves and certainly how we apply ourselves during training, and the intensity we bring during training."
Bath are 251.00 to win the Grand Final next season, with Leicester Tigers 1.36 and Northampton Saints 3.00.
Don't forget all of the fantastic markets we have to offer, including In-Play betting, can be accessed on your mobile phone with the new and improved Mobile at bet365.
View all Rugby Union betting