Saints seek perfection
Northampton Saints may have stretched their lead at the top of the Premiership standings, but Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder was still looking for marked improvement.
Stephen Myler passed 2,000 career points for Northampton, as the Premiership leaders clinched a thrilling 39-31 victory over Newcastle at Franklin's Gardens on Friday.
Only Paul Grayson has scored more points for Northampton than Myler.
Newcastle came away with a bonus point thanks to four tries from Chris Harris, George McGuigan, Alex Tait and Richard Mayhew.
They could even have stolen a shock victory – but tries from Myler, who also kicked 12 points, George Pisi, Calum Clark, Luther Burrell and a penalty try helped Northampton move six points clear at the top.
The Northampton boss, Mallinder, was critical of his team's defence in a frenzied nine-try clash with the falcons.
Mallinder is concerned about a defence that looked vulnerable whenever a young Newcastle side attacked, after shipping three tries against Harlequins last week.
"In attack there were moments of brilliance, we scored some good tries and could have had two or three more, so there was some very pleasing aspects to our attacking play, but our defence was very disappointing," said Mallinder.
"I think we have conceded more tries this last couple of weeks than we have all season, we need to sharpen up in that area.
"I think a lot of it is mental, we need to make sure we don't concede from first phase and from as many mauls as we did in this match.
"Credit to Newcastle they did it last week against Saracens and did it again this week and pushed us close. We have threats all over the field, we are playing pretty well, but not outstanding, so it is pleasing to take five points."
Two of the four Newcastle tries came from driving mauls, a source of concern for Mallinder and his forwards coach Dorian West.
And Mallinder admitted his side will have to improve when they travel north to take on Sale Sharks next week.
"We thought when we got to thirty points it might be an easier win but we switched off and credit to Newcastle they got their driving maul going and we switched off a bit," he added.
'We have a tough game next week up against Sale and then two big European games before the England boys leave us. There is everything to play for."
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