Harlequins head coach Jason Gilmore says he expected a difficult start to the Premiership season following a summer of changes. Quins sit bottom of the table after losing their first two matches, including a woeful 48-0 thrashing by Gloucester, the club's heaviest league defeat in 26 years.
"We're certainly not going to be at our best early doors, but it won't be too far away," Gilmore told BBC Radio London. "There will be bumps here and there, but the weekend wasn't one we can accept. We've just got to stick to task."
Gilmore was confirmed as permanent boss in March, after six months in interim charge following Danny Wilson's departure to join Wales' coaching team. Quins finished ninth last season, their lowest finish in eight years. Robbie Deans was brought in as performance director, with Rob Hunter arriving as forwards coach and Brad Cooper as attack coach. Gilmore explained that the club is learning a brand new attack system and a new line-out system that will take four to six weeks to bed down, with international players still catching up on the training.
Former Harlequins and England winger Ugo Monye called the Gloucester display "one of the worst performances" he has ever seen. Gilmore described the result as unacceptable but insisted the squad must avoid overreacting. "What we don't want to do is jump at shadows," he said.
This Sunday, Harlequins travel to Sale, who recorded their first win of the season by beating Saracens despite having Jacques Vermeulen sent off. Gilmore said the fixture offers a chance to redeem themselves, adding that the team is keen to show the best version of itself.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing