News
Dusautoir calls for attacking spirit
October 16 2008
Five days after struggling to a two point win over Bath, Toulouse head for Glasgow. Flank Thierry Dusautoir doesn't care about being tired, he just wants to win in Scotland.
The French international flank admitted that Toulouse were disappointed by their form in the 18-16 win last Sunday, but commended his team-mates for fighting to the end to snatch victory at the last moment.
"The essential was to win. Unfortunately we only won by two points. That could be have consequences at the end of the pool stage," Dusautoir told Lesite.
"We're not entirely satisfied because we were unable to impose our game. But it was good for the team that we were able to react and have the mental strength to come back. Now were focusing on the Glasgow match, which I think will be similar to the game against Bath.
"There will be a lot of commitment. I think they will have the same intentions to attack as Bath. We will need to correct our mindset and not focus too much on defence but more on attack. It's going to be quite difficult."
Dusautoir insists that there are no easy games in Europe these days and Toulouse are not counting their chickens before they hatch, adding that bonus points were not part of their thinking.
"Even if this pool appears to be easier than some others, there are still very good teams in it," he explained.
"Honestly, as long as we haven't gotten past this round, we can't think further ahead. For now we're going to go to Glasgow with more offensive intentions and we'll be determined.
"First and foremost, we have to win over there. We never start a match thinking about the bonus point. We'll see what happens in the course of the game. For the moment we hope to recover our attacking spirit because we didn't play our natural game against Bath."
Team-mate Cédric Heymans complained that only a five-day gap between games would be hard on the players, but for Dusautoir it's part and parcel of playing at this level.
"It's difficult, but that's what it's like at the highest level. It's like the rhythm of the World Cup," he said.
"It's also what makes the European Cup enjoyable. It's a real pleasure to play the games so you forget the fatigue. You concentrate on preparing for the matches."