Gold pleased with Sharks' character
That's where the pleasantries ended though as Gold lambasted their poor tactical kicking which cost them valuable territory.
"We need to get more territory. We had three kicks early in the match that failed to find touch, that would have handed us the territorial advantage but it ended with them running it [the ball] back at us. It is all about momentum and wrestling it your way. There were a lot of opportunities for us to gain dominance but we messed that up.
"We need to retain possession more and man up. When we are given the opportunity, we have to take it. We did not deserve to win. You have to earn the right to play and that is something we failed to do.
"Huge credit to our guys for the character they showed though and I think our basics are pretty good. We will learn from this because it wont get any easier. We want to get the ball to our backline and especially our outside backs but we have to secure it up front first to give them the chance to fire," he said.
As far as the team's progression is concerned, Gold is pleased that his main focus point of changing their mindset is bringing out the best in his side.
"I am incredibly positive about where we are at the moment. The potential of this team is fantastic and we just need more time in the middle. The one thing we really wanted to change at the beginning of this season is the character of the players and I think that even the most disappointed Sharks fan cannot criticize the teams' character," he added.
Phillip van der Walt, Daniel du Preez, Etienne Oosthuizen and Lwazi Mvovo came off worse for wear after the bruising encounter but fortunately for the Sharks, they will have a week off before preparing to take on the Lions in Durban on April 9.
"There is no point in dodging the fact that teams in our pool are the critical ones. We have a home game against the Lions after this break and it gives us a chance to right the wrongs [from the Crusaders match]. It will be a huge game against a side that is playing some really good rugby at the moment," he stated.
