Dwayne Peel: Scarlets coach confident in ability to turn things around at region
- Published
Dwayne Peel joined the Scarlets coaching staff from Ulster
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel believes he can turn things around at the struggling Welsh side.
The 23-7 Challenge Cup home loss to Georgian side Black Lion last weekend represented a seventh defeat in nine games this season.
Scarlets face Ospreys in a United Rugby Championship (URC) derby on 26 December.
"We are having a tough time at the moment and will fight hard to put things right," said Peel.
The Scarlets have conceded 50 points in three matches this season and suffered an insipid defeat against local rivals Ospreys.
Peel says he has confidence in his ability to transform things.
"We have been here before," said Peel.
"We did not have a great start last season and we have to find a way, a collective effort to get out of it.
"It takes a moment to change things around and you have to build on the next game. Giving clarity and confidence to the players is the biggest thing. You have to give them trust to go and express themselves.
"That's my job, make sure the messages are clear this week, especially after a loss like that."
Fans' frustration
A Scarlets supporters group has expressed concern this week towards the hierarchy about how the organisation is being run and released a letter they had sent to the board.
"We recognise the frustrations of the fans, I am here to say we feel the disappointment as well," said Peel.
"I understand their (fans) anger and it's important to note we as a squad, us staff and collectively as a club understand it. Everyone is working hard to turn things around and I'm sure we will.
"I've supported this club since I was three or four years old. We've been through some bad times before and I know how amazing our supporters are and they're 100% behind us.
"Obviously, they're disappointed at the moment and I understand their frustration but for me as head coach I'm incredibly proud of what they give us."
Peel says it "has been a long couple of days for everybody" at the organisation.
"There is a lot of talking to be done first," added Peel.
"Rugby is an emotional game and we need to find out what the emotions were and what they are beyond that.
"We have to build on that and recognise it was not a good enough performance. We have to deal with that and move on to make sure the next performance is better.
"People deal with things in different ways. It was important we talked with the boys on the first day back about the elephant in the room and make sure we move on from that.
"I have been in teams before where we have lost poorly and it's how you bounce back. We will hard to make sure we put a performance together and that's what we can do."
That next game will be against local rivals Ospreys who comfortably defeated Scarlets 31-9 in the reverse fixture in Swansea in November.
"There are two standout performances which are particularly disappointing, that one and the Black Lion," said Peel.
"I think this now is the perfect game, in terms of sharpening the focus.
"It is one of our biggest game of the season, a Boxing Day derby. It will be a good occasion with 9,000 tickets sold already. We recognise the support of that.
"Having the fans behind us and a great atmosphere is what we all enjoy. I know there will be 10,000, if not more, here on Boxing Day and it will be an incredible atmosphere."
Returning players
Peel has had to deal with a lengthy injury list that has grown to 16 absentees but hopes there will be reinforcements in the next couple of weeks.
Lock Sam Lousi is in line to play his first game of the season against Ospreys after recovering from a calf injury, while prop Wyn Jones and centre Joe Roberts could also return.
Captain Josh Macleod and fly-half Sam Costelow are also close to recovering from injury.
"It (injuries) doesn't help, especially when you look at the quality of players that are missing like internationals players and our captain," said Peel.
"We have worked hard to try and develop confidence in the younger element of the group who have stepped up in this period but undoubtedly having so many guys out with quality has affected us.
"It is part of the nature of the job and sport but over the next couple of weeks we will have returning players and they will boost the group because some of our leaders have been missing.
"This period has given guys opportunities, and while it has been tough, they will have learned a lot.
"We have players now coming back to fitness which will boost the squad because we are low on numbers and a number of young boys are playing their hearts out.
"It will be hard sometimes - like last week - when those boys haven't experienced pressure like that, so it's important we learn from that."