'We should be relegated' - Bath fans vent after 'apalling, spineless' display

Bath fans have taken to social media to vent after suffering a humiliating defeat in their Gallagher Premiership derby match with local rivals Gloucester.

Gloucester trounced Bath 64 – 0 in maybe the top flight’s oldest rivalries and it’s a bitter pill for supporters to swallow, even against the context of the risible season that has seen them in last place for the majority of the season.

It’s a result that was even described as disgraceful by BT Sport’s pundit Ugo Monye, while RugbyPass columnist Andy Goode called for a rapid return to relegation to avoid such results in future.

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For many Bath fans – who have been enduring a season from hell which has rarely let up – the result was the hay bale that broke the camel’s back.

Some even feel that Bath need to be relegated so the club can regroup. “My family have been following for over 55 years. This season has been appalling. For a team that have so much talent it is shameful. Won’t stop me supporting the team but it cannot continue like this. There has to be a change next season. We should be relegated. Go down & regroup.”

My family have been following for over 55 years. This season has been appalling. For a team that have so much talent it is shameful. Won’t stop me supporting the team but it cannot continue like this. There has to be a change next season. We should be relegated. Go down & regroup

— Claire Clark (@Bath4ever) April 30, 2022

Another fan observed: “It’s a shame that relegation isn’t happening, as Bath really don’t deserve to be in thr top flight with a performance like that. Feel sorry for the class players they have, must be frustrating when you are an international level player and are surrounded by terrible performances.”

Its a shame that relegation isn't happening, as Bath really don't deserve to be in thr tip flight with a performance like that.
Feel sorry for the class players they have, must be frustrating when you are a international level player and surround by terrible performances

— Skyisfallin (@skyisfallinup) April 30, 2022

One fan was irate after claiming to have seen Bath coaches at the golf course the day before the game. “I saw one of the coaches on the golf course yesterday – the day before a big game, on the golf course!!! How is this acceptable? Surely the ethos of work harder should apply less than 24 hours before the game??!!”

I saw one of the coaches on the golf course yesterday – the day before a big game, on the golf course!!! How is this acceptable? Surely the ethos of work harder should apply less than 24 hours before the game??!!

— Graham Binns (@Binnsey22) April 30, 2022

Other feel the Lions share of the blame lies with Bath director of rugby Stuart Hooper and head coach Neal Hatley. One supporter queried whether a drop to RFU Championship might improve Hooper’s skills in the role. “Maybe Stuart Hooper will realise being an effective DoR takes more than just retiring as a player. If he’s serious about being the best, he needs to challenge himself to learn and grow away from the comfort of Bruce’s chequebook.”

Maybe Stuart Hooper will realise being an effective DoR takes more than just retiring as a player. If he’s serious about being the best, he needs to challenge himself to learn and grow away from the comfort of Bruce’s chequebook.

— James Rees (@JamesRees_PCC) April 30, 2022

Others felt the time has come for the pair to step down with Johan Van Graan set to join next season. “Hooper and Hatley have presided over the worst season in our history. We got thrashed at the start of the season and todays result shows there has been no improvement at all. For the good of this club they both HAVE to go, and go NOW.”

Hooper and Hatley have presided over the worst season in our history. We got thrashed at the start of the season and todays result shows there has been no improvement at all. For the good of this club they both HAVE to go, and go NOW.

— Kelly Holden-White (@kholdenwhite) April 30, 2022

Respect PA journalist Andrew Baldock wrote: “That is a pitiful performance by Bath. Feel sorry for their supporters after that. Embarrassing.

“There are a lot of good people at Bath – staff and supporters – who will be shell-shocked at what has happened to a once great club.

“Talking to a couple of Bath mates last night. Both said they can cope with defeats, but it is the no-show manner of them that they cannot accept. Humiliated in a public place. Again.

Talking to a couple of Bath mates last night. Both said they can cope with defeats, but it is the no-show manner of them that they cannot accept. Humiliated in a public place. Again.

— Andrew Baldock (@balders2) May 1, 2022

“And before anyone takes a swipe, I was sports editor of The Bath Chronicle and rugby correspondent in the mid 1990s, so I know exactly what the club means to the people of Bath and how loyal a supporter base they have. Those people are the ones who have been let down. Badly.”

And before anyone takes a swipe, I was sports editor of The Bath Chronicle and rugby correspondent in the mid 1990s, so I know exactly what the club means to the people of Bath and how loyal a supporter base they have. Those people are the ones who have been let down. Badly.

— Andrew Baldock (@balders2) May 1, 2022

Andy Goode said he felt for the supporters, tweeting that the performance of some of the players was ‘spineless’. “Feel for Bath fans, the team are an embarrassment against their nearest and dearest in Gloucester. Absolutely spineless from some of the players.”

Feel for Bath fans, the team are an embarrassment against their nearest and dearest in Gloucester. Absolutely spineless from some of the players

— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) April 30, 2022

Brendan Gallagher wrote: “Can we now have a long over due period of silence from those who insist the lack of relegation in no way affects the integrity of the Premiership.”

Can we now have a long over due period of silence from those who insist the lack of relegation in no way affects the integrity of the Premiership. Gloucester 64 Bath 0.
FFS! #Rugby

— Brendan Gallagher (@gallagherbren58) April 30, 2022

Bath are now back at the foot of the Gallagher Premiership table as a result of the defeat, but a redemption of sorts awaits; Hooper’s side complete their season at Worcester Warriors in a game that looks likely to decide who finishes bottom this season.