But Cockerill says it was the attitude and commitment of the squad that pleased him most during Sunday’s 39-22 win over Ospreys at Welford Road.
“There were a lot of people poking at us this week as a team and as a club,” said Tigers' director of rugby.
“But the attitude from the players has been excellent. Thanks to the players for dragging that performance out of themselves.
“It was a result we needed and the group is still wide open with everything to play for.”
Tries from Manu Tuilagi (2), Toby Flood and Ben Youngs thrilled a 20,000-plus crowd at Welford Road as Tigers came from 10-0 down early on to secure a bonus-point win.
“It was a classic European game at Welford Road,” said Cockerill.
“Getting back into it at 10-10 at half-time was really good after a poor start, but we are not a negative team, we score lots of tries.
“I will be glad to see the game again because it was a bit frantic at times and we gave away too many easy points against a very good goal-kicker.
“The thing that pleases me most, though, is that it is the players’ team and the supporters’ team, and the team went out and they got a very good win. The players are the ones who put in the work and the ones that go out there and do it. The effort from our players whose work has been unfairly questioned was never in doubt.”
Tigers and Ospreys both have five points from two games in Pool 2, behind Toulouse who have eight points after wins in each of the opening rounds. Tigers host Benetton Treviso in the first of back-to-back encounters on December 8.
