Exeter Chiefs' fans, brace yourselves! Rob Baxter, the Exeter boss, is feeling the sting of defeat after his team's close loss to Bristol in the Premiership. Despite facing a Bristol Bears side reduced to 14 men for a significant 30 minutes, the Chiefs couldn't clinch the win, falling short with a score of 18-14. This loss marks Exeter's first of the season, with a potentially game-winning try disallowed late in the match, pushing them down to sixth place in the league.
Baxter, in an interview with BBC Radio Devon, didn't hold back his frustration, admitting, "We've let this one slip." He acknowledged the disappointment but also offered a dose of perspective. He understands that building a great team is a continuous process, not an overnight transformation.
"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."
He emphasized that one win doesn't make them the best, and one loss doesn't make them the worst. It's all about consistent progress.
But here's where it gets controversial... Despite the setback, there's a silver lining. Exeter is showing a remarkable improvement compared to last season, where they finished second-from-bottom. They've secured a bonus point in every game this season, already amassing almost a third of their total points from last season after just three matches!
Baxter remains optimistic, highlighting the team's potential. He's choosing not to dwell on the negative, recognizing the progress they've made. He points out that they were much closer to winning this away game compared to last season.
"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."
He encourages the team and fans to keep their eyes on the future, focusing on continuous improvement.
And this is the part most people miss... This season's Exeter Chiefs are not the finished product, but a team in progress. They are showing a marked improvement.
What do you think, Chiefs fans? Do you agree with Baxter's assessment? Are you optimistic about the season ahead, or do you have concerns about the team's performance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
