Gloucester's Head Coach George Skivington on the Pain of Form Slump
'It hurts and it hurts a lot' - these are the words of Gloucester's head coach, George Skivington, as he reflects on the team's recent struggles. With the pressure mounting, Skivington is feeling the strain of a decade-long coaching career, as Gloucester's form continues to dip, resulting in a string of defeats.
The Cherry and Whites, who narrowly missed out on the play-offs last season, have lost eight of their nine matches in the current campaign. This has left the club in a state of flux, with a new figure set to join the management team to share the burden of rugby responsibilities.
Skivington, however, is taking the blame on his shoulders, stating, 'There is nobody wearing this more than I am right now.'
In a recent conversation with his wife, Skivington revealed the emotional toll this has taken on him. She told him he's 'never at home' and 'doesn't see him anymore'. This highlights the personal cost of the team's poor form, which is far from the relaxed, wine-drinking lifestyle some might assume.
'Pro sport is tough, and when it's good, it's great, but this is definitely the toughest spell I've dealt with,' Skivington admitted. 'There's not a lot of joy in it right now for us.'
Gloucester's struggles have been exacerbated by a series of injuries, with key players like Tomos Williams and Ben Loader missing out. Despite this, the club is looking to the future, with plans to sign new players to bolster the squad.
'These aren't stupid people who are signing for the club,' Skivington assured. 'They're proper people who want to do something.'
However, the club's recruitment last summer has been criticised for its lack of experience in key positions. This has led to a sense of urgency in finding a solution, with the club close to appointing a senior management figure to share the load.
'My learning in this process is that you think you can do everything and you take a lot of things on and in reality, you end up not giving your best version of yourself probably in all those areas,' Skivington reflected.
As Gloucester faces Edinburgh in the Champions Cup and then Toulon, the club is under pressure to turn its fortunes around. With a new management structure in place, the hope is that the team can find its rhythm and return to form, bringing joy back to the supporters.
'It will get better,' Skivington promised. But will it be enough to satisfy the fans and turn the tide? Only time will tell. And this is the part most people miss... the journey to recovery is often the most challenging part of the process.
