Guy Thompson says the overwhelming feeling among he and his Leicester Tigers team-mates was one of "disappointment" after being defeated by Northampton Saints at Welford Road.
Speaking to Sam, the Tigers Junior Reporter of the day, following the match, Thompson admitted the performance was not one of the standards the squad has set coming in to the 2019/20 season.
"We are really disappointed ... we didn't play to our abilities or our structures today," Thompson told LTTV.
"There is a lot to work on and it is a bit of a reminder of where we are moving in to the season next week."
When asked about a goal for where the squad would like to finish in the upcoming Gallagher Premiership season, the Tigers back-rower told Sam the focus is on the next month and nothing beyond it.
"We don't want to look too far ahead ... we just want to focus on the block of first four games which will be hugely crucial for us," he said.
In true journalistic fashion, the Tigers Junior Reporter pressed the Leicester forward for details on why the side weren't able to record a third straight victory and Thompson replied: We were a bit emotionally flat, which we shouldn't be in a derby game against Northampton."
But, the Tigers forward did find positives in the nine-point defeat.
"At times, we showed what we are about and scored a couple of really good tries," he added.
More than 16,000 fans attended the first East Midlands Derby of the new season, despite most rugby watching eyes being on the World Cup in Japan and Sam checked in as to how the Tigers squad was handling being without 10 of their senior squad members.
"It doesn't affect the morale ... but it has been tough," admitted Thompson.
"When they come back, they will definitely add something to the squad.
"But, when they come back, we don't want to leave them too much to do."
As for who Thompson believed was Leicester's best on ground, he pointed towards the winner of the LeoVegas Fans' Favourite award - as voted by supporters on the Tigers App - and his inspirational skipper.
"I thought Jonah Holmes played well out on the wing," said Thompson.
"Tom Youngs led well from the front today ... we could all learn a thing or two off him."
Watch the full interview with Guy Thompson above on LTTV.
