Robinson: Fans can help Falcons fly against Bath
More than 6,000 supporters played a full part in proceedings last weekend when the 14-man Falcons battled gamely against Exeter Chiefs, with Robinson calling for a repeat of those levels from squad and supporters alike.
“There were a couple of issues around accuracy and execution which didn’t quite go right, but the effort and determination showed,” said the 31-year-old, who has scored 12 tries in his 116 first-team appearances.
“The feedback that we seemed to get from everybody was that people who watched the game were able to see what we were putting into it, and that we were working together as a group. That’s hugely positive because we put a massive emphasis on that, and it’s just taking that next step now in turning those positive aspects into wins.
“Nobody is ever happy after a defeat, but I think the supporters latched on to last weekend’s performance because they could see how much it meant to us, and what we were trying to do. You sometimes get days where it just doesn’t happen for you despite your best efforts, and I thought it was good that our crowd could see it.
“The fans were really positive and got behind us at every single moment, even after the final whistle. I just thought they were outstanding, and they can see that the group are moving forward. It was one of those where the crowd were feeding off the players and the players were feeding off the crowd, and it honestly makes a massive difference.
“The atmosphere was great last weekend, and that’s where we want to get to on a regular basis. We want to give our fans performances that they can enjoy, so that when they’re walking round town or their local area in their Newcastle Falcons shirts, they can feel proud of being part of something.”
Looking to record a home-and-away double over Bath following September’s 20-13 triumph at The Rec, the back-five forward said: “We started the season very well, but then had a very tough period of games.
“We had games called off and training disrupted because of covid, games getting moved for the weather, injuries in key positions, and I think it broke our momentum. That’s not me making excuses, because there have been some performances where our level just wasn’t there, and we acknowledge that as players.
“Even though we started very badly at Bristol a few weeks ago I was actually pleased by how we came back into that game, and the character of the group showed with the fight and determination we put out there.
“The spirit is great, but we didn’t quite execute a few things and probably weren’t as clinical as we’d have wanted to be. We actually put ourselves into a position to come back and win that game, which, considering the start we’d had, was hugely positive. That was a stride forward even though we obviously lost the game, and then last weekend at home to Exeter was again another positive step.
“It was a huge defensive effort more than anything. It’s tough losing a man as early as we did, but you have to be able to react and stick together. The most important thing for me was the team spirit and togetherness we showed. Obviously there was the emotions around losing Mark Wilson after he announced his retirement last week, and we wanted to give him a send-off that he could be proud of.”
Assessing the challenge posed by a Bath side currently occupying the league’s bottom spot, Robinson added: “That first half down at Bath in September was probably some of the best rugby we’ve played all season, scoring three good tries.
“They’re obviously a team that’s going through a lot at the moment with a bit of transition on and off the field, and I think you can see that with the way they’ve changed their approach slightly over the last few weeks.
“They pushed a good Leicester side all the way last weekend, we’re expecting tough opposition, but for us it’s more a case of focusing on ourselves.
“We’ll take our learnings from the Exeter game, improve those small details around accuracy and execution, and if we can get right in tandem with the emotional energy we had on Sunday, I think we’ll be in a good place.”
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