Pressure weighs on Graham's head

 

The Brisbane-based outfit suffered a 5-23 defeat at home to the Waratahs on Saturday and are currently languishing in 13th spot in the overall standings and at the bottom of the Australian Conference.

 

Graham was very forthright when discussing his team's current form. The have suffered defeats to the Waratahs, Brumbies and Highlanders and only beaten the Western Force.

 

“Of course, I feel the pressure, the same amount as when I took on the job at the Reds two and a half years ago because of the high expectations of this state,” he said.

 

“The people who support the code and the Reds as the flagship are passionate.

 

“They want to see wins as much as we do.”

 

But despite his poor record as the Reds' head coach – they have a 30 percent win ratio with just 13 wins from 44 games under his guidance – Graham feels he can still turn things around.

 

When asked if he feels he is still the right man for the job, he replied: “Definitely. I believe in what I’m doing and our squad which is excited about the way we want to play.

 

"We’ll be working hard to get there.”

 

The Reds were outplayed in most facets of the game against the Waratahs and Graham acknowledged that his side will have to improve soon.

 

“I understand the impatience out there but only when you are looking from the inside can you look deeper beneath the surface,” he added.

 

“We forced 23 turnovers from the Waratahs yet we didn’t make anything of them. We didn’t hold on to the ball long enough [with 19 turnovers] to even get to our plans.

 

“You have nearly 600 Super Rugby caps [James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Quade Cooper, Greg Holmes, Beau Robinson, Ed Quirk, JJ Taulagi, and Samu Kerevi] sitting out and it certainly changes the dynamic.

 

“That’s not an excuse. The performance against the Waratahs was nowhere near up to standard.”