IF LIONS coach Dick Muir is feeling the heat, he hides it well.
IF LIONS coach Dick Muir is feeling the heat, he hides it well.
Equalling the Bulls' Super 14 record of 11 consecutive losses on Saturday night with a 33-12 loss to the visiting Western Force from Australia at Ellis Park, the Lions were once again a disappointment.
"It wasn't the greatest start, giving away those early penalties," Muir said after the game.
"We aimed to put pressure on them to stop their momentum after their victory over the Crusaders last weekend."
Once again infringements picked up by the referee hurt the Lions and this is a problem being witnessed week in, week out.
"The penalty count has risen and we are looking at it. There is no serial offender and it is a problem throughout the team," Muir said.
"The guys are desperately trying to turn over the ball and that's where the mistakes are creeping in.
"As a coach you assess where you went wrong. Unfortunately we are not in a position where we have a lot of experience."
With just two matches left in their 2010 Super 14 campaign - against the Blues on Saturday at Ellis Park and against the Cheetahs in Welkom a week later - the Lions will be desperate to break their losing streak.
When it comes to the Blues, anything is possible.
Their record this year has been erratic, to say the least.
Crashing to the Cheetahs on Saturday has effectively sunk any hopes they had of making the playoffs but coach Pat Lam will be expecting nothing less than 100percent commitment from his side.
With several of the Lions players showing signs of fatigue, Muir has hinted that he may revert to the rotation policy for the remaining fixtures to give some of his team a rest.
"We would desperately like to get a win and are still striving for that.
"Some of the players are looking a bit flat," he said.
lions rue ill discipline
IF LIONS coach Dick Muir is feeling the heat, he hides it well.
IF LIONS coach Dick Muir is feeling the heat, he hides it well.
Equalling the Bulls' Super 14 record of 11 consecutive losses on Saturday night with a 33-12 loss to the visiting Western Force from Australia at Ellis Park, the Lions were once again a disappointment.
"It wasn't the greatest start, giving away those early penalties," Muir said after the game.
"We aimed to put pressure on them to stop their momentum after their victory over the Crusaders last weekend."
Once again infringements picked up by the referee hurt the Lions and this is a problem being witnessed week in, week out.
"The penalty count has risen and we are looking at it. There is no serial offender and it is a problem throughout the team," Muir said.
"The guys are desperately trying to turn over the ball and that's where the mistakes are creeping in.
"As a coach you assess where you went wrong. Unfortunately we are not in a position where we have a lot of experience."
With just two matches left in their 2010 Super 14 campaign - against the Blues on Saturday at Ellis Park and against the Cheetahs in Welkom a week later - the Lions will be desperate to break their losing streak.
When it comes to the Blues, anything is possible.
Their record this year has been erratic, to say the least.
Crashing to the Cheetahs on Saturday has effectively sunk any hopes they had of making the playoffs but coach Pat Lam will be expecting nothing less than 100percent commitment from his side.
With several of the Lions players showing signs of fatigue, Muir has hinted that he may revert to the rotation policy for the remaining fixtures to give some of his team a rest.
"We would desperately like to get a win and are still striving for that.
"Some of the players are looking a bit flat," he said.
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