Chiefs not panicking about slump

 

It was the scrumhalf’s 200th appearance for the Devon outfit against his former club Gloucester who took the spoils 26-25 in a highly entertaining encounter, at a packed Sandy Park Stadium.

 

After back-to-back losses away to Sale Sharks and Bath, Rob Baxter's side were hoping home advantage would provide the ideal catalyst for them to rediscover their winning formula but it was not to be.

 

The Cherry & Whites held firm in the latter stages of the match to deny the hosts victory, which were left kicking themselves when the final whistle blew despite three tries from the home-side with Gareth Steenson slotting over 10 points.

 

Despite the setback, Thomas says the frustration that exists within the Exeter ranks will be channeled in the right way this week and that the Chiefs will head to London this Sunday determined to get themselves firmly back on track.

 

"It is a big game for us against London Irish, but it was a big game for us against Gloucester,” said the 32-year-old.

 

"We have got to start putting in some performances that are going to get us results.

 

"Obviously because we have lost the last three now and are chasing a win it is even more important but I do not think we will change anything, we will look at ourselves and look to improve the bits we can improve and look to get a better performance.”

 

Having trailed 0-6 at the break on Saturday, the Chiefs were much improved after the break and held the lead a number of times until Ben Morgan claimed a crucial converted score late in the half.

 

Head coach Baxter was frustrated after the game with Thomas saying that was the same for all of the players.

 

"It's massively frustrating,” said Thomas, who was unable to celebrate his milestone as he would have wanted. 

 

"All I can think about is the game and how it slipped away from us.

 

"We are really disappointed not to get the win but Gloucester played well, we were not good enough and you have got to be on top of your game to get results in the Premiership.

 

"I think if we had played to our full potential we would have won, so I can see why Rob Baxter is frustrated. I'm frustrated and I think everyone in the squad is frustrated”.

 

The win for Gloucester had ended their disappointing festive period which saw them losing two home defeats in a row against Bath and Wasps respectively, but the victory against Exter gave them the perfect start to 2015 where they will be looking to kick-on.

 

Waldrom's ninth try of the season left the Chiefs a point down with nine minutes remaining Gareth Steenson missed his conversion that bounced off the post .

 

Gloucester were able to see out the remaining minutes, and Thomas said his side need to find some greater consistency after seeing their eight-game winning run turn into a losing habit.

 

"That is why the teams at the top of the table are there, because they can put in an accurate performance week in, week out,” he said.

 

"We have got to look to get that sort of consistency into our game.”

 

One of the positives for the Chiefs could take out of the game was the record crowd, attendance with 12,621 people packing into Sandy Park to watch the derby.

 

Thomas added: "I have never experienced anything like it, the crowd was superb – Sandy Park is just getting better and better.”