Pat Lam welcomes Bristol's losses

After finishing top of the log in the 2020-21 campaign, Bristol Bears have suffered a terrible start to the 2021-22 instalment, having tasted defeat in four of their opening five fixtures, falling to Saracens, Wasps, Harlequins and Newcastle, with their only victory coming against Bath. 

Their efforts have been good enough to land them at second-last place on the overall standings but, while one would imagine that head coach Pat Lam is feeling the heat, the Bears boss appears rather to be feeling a sense of invigoration with the current situation. 

In fact, Lam’s attitude to losing seems decidedly positive.  

“A mentor taught me a lesson when I was 15, ‘you stay the same when things are going well. Tough times are an opportunity for you to grow’,” Lam said to bristolpost.co.uk. 

“It doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy, it just means you look at it as an opportunity. That was massive for me in my playing career and as a coach. 

“These are the most enjoyable moments, they really are, because I find out more about people and the team. 

“I said this in the Championship year when we were going undefeated and we lost to Jersey – I loved that week; the first year in the Premiership, we beat Bath and everyone was happy, but then I learnt a lesson the next week when we lost by 40 to Saracens. 

“Then we got hammered by Worcester by about 50-odd points and I loved that moment as well. 

“Honestly. Sure I enjoy the wins – I love that, like anything – but from a purely coaching perspective and finding out about people, you never truly find out about people and how they react and take on learnings until you’re in adversity. 

“I love this time, I embrace this.” 

Bristol face a rampant London Irish outfit this week at the Brentford Community Stadium. In the last round, Irish pulled off a marvellous upset, downing Exeter Chiefs 33-21. After such a performance, it is easy to assume that Les Kiss’ troops will be good and ready for another fierce contest for which the Bears will hopefully find and bring their best.