Russell Earnshaw: Underdogs tag will be a relief to Bees

Sep 4 2009 by Brian Dick, Birmingham Mail

RUSSELL Earnshaw is looking forward to the prospect of casting off the favourites’ tag that followed the Bees everywhere last season.

Birmingham & Solihull’s campaign gets underway in Plymouth tomorrow when Bees take on an Albion side with many commentators suggesting they are set not only for a difficult afternoon but a testing season.

As if the fact Bees are new into the 12 team Championship after winning promotion from National Two last term was not enough, a summer of financial problems also has some saying they are set for an immediate return to level three.

But Earnshaw insists adversity has brought his men together and that playing free from expectation will bring out the best in his small squad.

“At the moment we are in a pretty good place as a team,” the player-coach said.

“We had an excellent session on Tuesday that has galvanised us and given us a clear vision of how we want to play.”

Earnshaw has not been able to recruit many new faces, although the addition of Canadian international Stuart Ault will give more ballast to the forwards while Wales’ Rugby Sevens World Cup winner Tal Selley brings incisiveness to the backs.

But he knows games are won by the pack and he admits his side have a battle on their hands.

“As for being underdogs, I am all over it,’’ he added.

“I hated being the favourite. It’s really difficult.

“If you think back to the last game of the season against Cambridge, we knew a job was done.

“That just shows you the impact a mindset can have.

“If you are fighting for something it’s a good place to be.”