Bok says Premiership 'is a tough old league'
SPOTLIGHT: Wasps forward Ashley Johnson says the club is up for the fight, as they look to finish their campaign with a flourish in their five remaining games.
The Midlands side faces fellow strugglers Worcester at the Ricoh this weekend, with the Warriors just five points behind them in the Premiership table.
Wasps currently lie eighth on 37 points, eight ahead of bottom side Newcastle Falcons who are in strong form with three wins from three.
At the other end of the table, Wasps are 12 points behind fourth-placed Harlequins, with the Coventry-based side in risk of missing out on the top four for the first time in four years.
“It’s going to be a tough old game against Worcester but hopefully we can prepare well and get back to winning ways,” said Johnson.
“It’s still a long season to go but we’re in for the fight and we’re desperate to show the fans that we still care, we do care about the jersey and we want to show that. Sometimes the only way to do that is by winning games.
“The Gallagher Premiership is a tough old league! I’ve been here for quite a while now and every time when I do interviews I say any team can win any game and it couldn’t be truer for us this year.
“I don’t know how many games where we’ve been beaten within seven points whereas last year it was the opposite for us.
“And we knew that as well coming into this season, unfortunately, we’ve been on the wrong side of those seven-point losses this year.
“We’ve tried to stay positive and the boys don’t take well to a loss. We’ve been really working hard and trying to stick together as a team, keeping confidence and we just have to believe in what we’re doing.”
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One of those narrow defeats for Wasps came two games ago when Newcastle built their own form with a 20-19 victory at the Ricoh.
Following that loss Wasps were defeated 27-14 at Gloucester last time out, despite the return of England stars Elliot Daly, Joe Launchbury, Brad Shields and Nathan Hughes – although Johnson is hoping an international impact is felt in the remaining five games.
“Brad, Nathan and Elliot have done really well from a personal point of view in the Six Nations, hopefully, those guys can be a springboard for us going into these last games.
“It’s great to have them back. They’re top class players and that’s why they’re internationals. It’s always good to get them back but we are a squad. When those guys are back in the fold it gives the youngsters so much more confidence.”
Source: @premrugby
