Speaking to supporters in the wake of the crushing west Wales derby defeat to the Ospreys last weekend, and ahead of this weekend’s trip to the Welsh capital to face Cardiff, Peel said he understood the disappointment of fans.
Scarlets are currently rock bottom of the BKT United Rugby Championship table, level on points with the Dragons. Heading to the Arms Park, they have only one win from six games to date.
“The fans are as frustrated as everyone else is, and I respect that. They pay good money to come and watch us,” said Peel.
“They feel angry, but we’re working hard here, and we’ll make sure we keep working hard to put in performances to make them proud. I know that we’ll come good, and it starts this week – we have to put in a performance that they can be proud of.
“Everyone is disappointed with the performance at the Ospreys and it wasn’t about losing the game, it was about the way we lost it. I’m not hiding from that fact, and we need to make sure that this week we’re competitive.
“Results are important but it’s performance first. Then results will take care of themselves.”
Peel is banking on the hurt that is running through his squad in the wake of the 31-9 defeat at the Swansea.Com Stadium will provide enough motivation to turn things around at the Arms Park.
You have to go back to 7 January for the last time Peel’s side won a URC game on the road – 28-22 against Cardiff at the Arms Park. They also beat the Blue & Blacks 31-25 at home at the beginning of November to notch their only win of the season to date.
“We have injuries, but we had enough on the field last weekend to be in the game more than we were,” admitted Peel.
“It’s another derby this weekend and I definitely want to see a reaction. We have to get clarity in the way we want to play the game and deliver a performance.
“For me, that means being competitive in every aspect of the game. We weren’t there last weekend, but we know we have the quality when we are on top of sides.”
