Bath Rugby vibe is "very different" from last season - Max Lahiff

The feel-good factor around Farleigh is worlds away from the mood around Bath Rugby this time last season, according to Max Lahiff.

Bath, who are currently flying high in second, are in a great run of form currently which was topped off last Saturday with a 14-11 win over premiership champions Saracens at the Recreation Ground.

It is stark contrast from last season's campaign which saw the Blue, Black and White finish a lowly ninth which ended in a change of management from Mike Ford to Todd Blackadder.

Speaking to the local media on Tuesday afternoon, Max Lahiff outlined the positive mental attitude that dominates surroundings at Farleigh House.

"The vibe is very different," Lahiff began.

"I think last year, off the back of a few defeats in a row, people got a bit antsy and I think that came from up top from management and then everyone was looking around like 'how are we going to pull ourselves out of this?' and there was the anxiety and people got a bit tetchy. 

"It got a bit snappy and that kind of affected the way we trained and the way we were managed.

"I think the coaches did the best they could, especially Mike Ford, but it was just like quicksand, you know? When you try so hard to rectify what's going wrong you almost compound the problem, and that's sort of what happened to us.

"This year, this kind of new very laid-back (style), laid-back but there's a massive emphasis on work ethic. 

"The coaches, Todd and Tabs (Matson), it's more player-led. With more reign the work ethic is expected, the excellence is demanded. It all becomes second nature and you just try and emulate that every day.

"I think a lot of players have reacted really well to that, especially with the talent they're bringing in as well, it's just working."