Tuesday 30 September 2014 17:13, UK
Richard Cockerill has insisted he retains the confidence of the board at Leicester despite the team's erratic start to the Aviva Premiership season.
The Tigers began the campaign with wins over Newcastle and Exeter, but director of rugby Cockerill has suddenly found himself in the firing line following a record 45-0 defeat at Bath and Saturday's lacklustre home loss to London Irish.
But ahead of Saturday's trip to Gloucester, Cockerill vowed to orchestrate a return to winning ways and declared that there was no point in fearing the sack.
There is no point worrying about getting the sack. Let's get out there and crack on with it.
"I'm here for the battle. I'm not going anywhere. I get a huge amount of pressure from losing," Cockerill said. "I'm doing it my way. If I am going to get the sack I'm doing it my way.
"I'm not taking somebody else's advice and do what somebody else wants and then I get the sack. That's rubbish.
"If we are sitting here in May and having a chat then I am right. If not, I will have a really tidy garden. That's life isn't it?
"There is no point worrying about getting the sack. Let's get out there and crack on with it.
"Sometimes you have to back your instinct. I have a very good CEO in Simon Cohen who is very supportive and Peter Tom, the chairman, is a tough, very direct man.
"We have some robust discussions about what goes on and that is how it works.
"When it is not going really well and people need to show some character, that is when you see what people are made of, whether it is me, the chairman, the chief exec, the third choice tight head, the physios, the groundsman, anyone.
"Let's crack on with it. If you are in, great. If you are going to sit and snipe and not be in, go somewhere else.
"I am all right with that. That is how I deal with it. I am doing it my way. When we get through to the other side, and we will, we will be better for it."
Michele Rizzo, Brad Thorn and Seremaia Bai have recovered from injury and are available to face Gloucester, while a fourth tight five forward in Logovi'i Mulipola is likely to be fit.
The return of centre Manu Tuilagi from a groin injury has been delayed a further week, while Geoff Parling has been ruled out until December with concussion.
