Whitehead's World: Time for underdogs to bite back

The Exeter Chiefs hooker looks back in anger - and forward in hope - in his latest column...

I ended last week’s column saying “until next time”. I can’t believe it’s been a week: it seems like only five minutes has passed until “next time” has arrived. So this week’s post is brought to you courtesy of inspiration - but probably most of all frustration.

What a fantastic adventure and experience to go over and play the four-time Heineken Cup champions in their own backyard and come away with a losing bonus point.

Pause.

Wouldn't it be great if we could all sit back on statements such as that and be gracious and happy with ourselves? Well some can, but as a professional sportsman I find it almost impossible to not feel slightly aggrieved by these kind of passing comments - even from our incredibly loyal fans.

There is no denying that, as a club, we and our supporters are living this dream together, travelling to some of the most famous rugby stadiums across Europe on a weekly basis and creating our very own unique atmosphere.  However, writing as an angry hooker, presumably - hopefully - I'm not alone in craving being able to look back on these games with satisfaction at an outstanding victory, not a plucky defeat.

As mentioned in last week’s column, we tend to find ourselves starting games with the tag of the underdog, which we have proven over and over again that we are more then comfortable with, but the question is at what stage do the press and, in some cases, others slightly closer to home, begin to flick the switch and approach the game with the attitude that we as both a team and as individuals are more than capable of playing any team and coming away with a win?

We have just about shaken off the tag of being a hard-working team that will never give in. Let’s face it - that should always be a given. The players and staff have the belief within ourselves and are spoilt with the most passionate fans in the league. Wouldn't it be interesting if others took that approach too?

This week has seen ourselves approaching another monster of a fixture. The French giants of Clermont Auvergne are visiting Sandy Park and our stadium is being prepared to host its first Heineken Cup match tomorrow evening.

We can take so many positives, predominantly confidence, going into this weekend’s game. The narrow defeat over in Dublin has put us in good stead and I believe we are safe in the knowledge that if we attack the game and approach it with the attitude of winners, we will be looking back on this one with masses of excitement and the realisation of what we can actually achieve.

I look forward to seeing and hearing all of you on Saturday. Believe me when I say this is all of our adventure. Let's hear the tomahawk chop.