Disappointed Denton determined to help Edinburgh out of slump

Senior Sports Writer

Sunday 28 October 2012

Driven and dynamic, David Denton delivers damnation and defiance with the same directness he shows on the pitch.

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Kevin Ferrie

One of the finds of European rugby last season, Edinburgh's Double D has been ashamed of what has happened in the first quarter of this one, but is excited by the opportunity to turn things around.

"The last five weeks have been very tough," he said immediately following his team's sixth successive defeat on Friday, after the Scarlets edged it 29-28 at Murrayfield. "It's never acceptable to lose and we're really pissed off. Something's got to change, but at least today there's something we can take from the game."In the two Heineken Cup games we were appalling. It's not what we want to give back to our loyal fans who are supporting us, and everyone who gives money towards the club, but at least tonight we showed we can play rugby. We're still the same side as last year, it's just a matter of us getting things to go right."The whole nation was disappointed in us the last few weeks, but I can't tell you how disappointed we were in ourselves. It's been a horrible place to be and something you never want to go through as a rugby player but it's something that happens and it's about keeping your head up and moving forward because it's very easy to drop your head and start moaning. That's sometimes what you're expected to do but that's not going to get you anywhere. You're never going to succeed as a team if you do that."One of the hardest hitters in the sport does not spare himself in this brutal analysis."There's a bit of relief tonight. I was feeling under pressure. I haven't been playing well. I've been getting through games and been solid enough, but that's not what I do. I need to get our team on the front foot and I haven't been doing that well enough, but tonight I was happier with how I played. I got us on the front foot and it's just about me being able to do that consistently."Denton knows it is not unusual for young players who have impressed in their first season at the top level to suffer a reaction."I've been very aware of this second season syndrome," he said. "It's something I don't want to get, particularly in a very big year. It's a Lions year so you can't afford to have bad games, particularly in the Heineken Cup when everyone's watching. It's been a tough start for me because I started with an injury, then had a niggle midway through, but I've got some momentum now and I felt back on my game tonight."Denton's coaches will welcome the way he is targeting next summer's British & Irish Lions tour, and the same boldness is evident in his anticipation of what is about to come as he and the rest of Scotland's international squad gather in St Andrews today to prepare for taking on New Zealand, South Africa and Tonga."What a challenge," he said, almost smacking his lips with relish. "I haven't spoken to the Glasgow guys or any of the other guys outwith Edinburgh because we haven't been around each other, but all those I've spoken to in the Scotland squad are really excited."How often do you get to play the best two teams in the world on your own turf at a packed Murrayfield? There aren't many better things you can do. I feel sorry for people who never get to experience that."

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Disappointed Denton determined to help Edinburgh out of slump

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