Lam calls for ‘team performance’ against Richmond

Pat Lam has set his sights on a ‘ruthless, team performance’ when Richmond visit Ashton Gate for the first time on Sunday (2pm).

The head coach – who is expecting another testing afternoon at Ashton Gate – says his side must ‘keep their foot on the throat’ during games, after almost seeing a 16-point lead slip away at the Mennaye Field last weekend.

“The main work-ons have been focused on us being more ruthless,” he said.

“There’s no doubt we showed that we can build pressure and build a score nicely, but then we took our foot off the throat and came out of our system.

“If we’re slacking off and not working off the ball, getting into position, then we allow a team that’s fired up to come in.

“I think when people look at us, there’s no doubt we’ve not played at our best and when we try to define what our best is, it’s as a team.

“We‘re doing that in patches, but the challenge for us is the perfect game and the perfect team game.”

Lam believes Bristol’s opening two league fixtures have demonstrated the strength the GKIPA Championship possesses – and the head coach is expecting no different this weekend:

“It’s tough; without doubt it’s tough,” he said. “Sure you might have the talent, but that talent has to have the hard work, the character, the toughness to go for 80 minutes and to work hard off the ball – and you get that in spades in the Championship. We want to be known as a team that is tough, ruthless and committed for 80 minutes of a game.

“Richmond did well against Ealing away from home and again, they’re tough, committed and will come at us. It’s about making sure that we trust our teamwork over individual stuff.

“I’m looking at us being ruthless and working hard for each other every moment of the game.”