If you pass it we will score, says Bath Rugby outside back Matt Carraro
"Give us more ball and we'll score tries" – that's the message to his forwards from Bath Rugby outside back Matt Carraro.
The Australian believes the calls being made by inside backs Sam Vesty and Olly Barkley are the right ones, but that Bath's lack of ball is choking the club's creativity.
Bath's set-piece has been vulnerable all season. And while the lineout was solid enough against Ulster on Saturday, Bath were frequently penalised at the scrum as they slumped to their fourth straight loss.
Bath have struggled to find ways of breaking through defences over the past month and a half.
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And, while the performance in Belfast contained some chinks of light, Carraro believes more controlled possession is the key if Bath are to turn a corner.
"If we could get 50 per cent possession, that would be a game changer for sure," he said.
"We just need more opportunities in attack."
Bath enjoyed only 30 per cent of the ball on Saturday and it is that dearth of possession, rather than any problem in midfield, that Carraro believes is behind the club's four-game losing streak.
"As an outside back you look to your inside centre and fly-half," he explained. "Every set-piece they'll come together and decide what the best option is. It's been working well, but we've had limited ball.
"Olly and Sam have been making good calls but we don't always get the ball to do what they say. That's the frustrating thing."
Carraro, who has started all but one of Bath's Premiership and European games this season, admits he blundered himself in Belfast when he squandered a one-on-one with a poorly executed chip.
But he believes Barkley, who was making his 200th appearance for Bath after being elevated from the bench, gave an inspiring performance.
"It was definitely one of Olly's best performances so far this season," said the former New South Wales Waratah.
"I'm sure he'd have been disappointed to have been put on the bench – I don't think he's been there much during his career at Bath – but he got his chance and he took it well, and he was definitely bossing us around the park and made some great breaks.
"It's a massive achievement for any player to reach 200 caps for a club, especially with all the chopping and changing between clubs and countries these days – not that I'm one to talk!"
Carraro is out of contract at the end of the season, but believes his own future, whether at Bath or back in Australia, will not be resolved until the new year.
"We were in talks a little while ago but who knows at the moment, it's all up in the air," he said.
"I think they've had a few other things on their plate rather than worrying about what I'm up to next year, with Luke Watson leaving and lots of talks to try and keep Michael Claassens and Butch James here.
"I think they've got bigger fish to look after than me at the moment. I think that will come in the new year."
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