Bath born and bred centre Max Ojomoh believes his side have the potential to make a playoff push this season.
Ojomoh, 22, broke into the first team last season and, despite Bath enduring their worst ever Premiership campaign with just five wins from 24 to finish bottom, the son of club legend Steve Ojomoh flourished playing in 22 games and scoring three tries.
There has been a revival this season under new head of rugby Johann van Graan and prior to their defeat to Harlequins last weekend they had won three on the bounce.
Ojomoh, right, says: “From a mental standpoint losing 12 games on the bounce as a young player is tough. There were times where I’d turn to JJ (Jonathan Joseph) and say I don’t know how we turn it around from here in this game because I didn’t have the wider perspective to know how to go about winning these games.
“Losing is a mindset, so it was really hard to know how to flip it. This year we have won three on the bounce and it’s really nice seeing the contrast with how we approach games and get the most out of the team.
“I’m really grateful whenever I get to step out on the field. Last season was first year syndrome of coming into the league and no one knowing who you are, so teams don’t know how to defend you. Coming into this year, I’ve got great competition around me; Cam’s (Redpath) back, Ollie’s (Lawrence) here now and is one of the best players in the Prem, then there’s also JJ and Will Butt. So, this is a year where I can learn as much as possible off these guys.”
Bath seem to have turned a corner this season with wins over champions Leicester and Northampton in recent weeks, but Ojomoh is determined to avoid complacency creeping into their game.
He added: “I’m very happy but I’m keen on us not doing what we did last year. We finished Christmas and were doing pretty poorly and then ended up winning two or three and it seemed like we turned a corner, but we fell back into some poor form again. This year after those three wins and a week off it’s so key we put in performances that we can proud of.”
Ojomoh believes there’s been a change of mindset when teams prepare to face Bath and with van Graan starting to get the best out of their talented squad, he feels they can compete for the top four.
He said: “I think we’ve got a really strong squad and that the persona around our team is changing. Teams at the beginning of the season saw us on the team sheet and were relaxed thinking this is an easy four or five points. I feel like now with how our defence has improved, teams know they are in for a fight when they come up against us.
“In the games before Christmas we want to push for the top six to put us in in the position to go and fight for the playoffs in the new year.”
With the addition of Lawrence from Worcester and return of Scotland‘s Redpath from injury, Ojomoh has seen his gametime reduced. He knows if he can displace the talented centres around him it would prove a point to the new England head coach having been selected in Eddie Jones‘ Summer Series squad in 2021.
He added: “We’ve got three international standard centres at the club and if I’m in the Bath squad and pushing them for selection then how far off can I be from England? As long as I’m making it tough for Johann to make a call then I know I’m playing to the best of my ability.
“My performances haven’t been that great this season. I’ve had sparks but as an international player you have to be a 7 out of 10 or above and I’d be lying if I said I’m there right now. I’ve just got to hit a good run of form and then it could be on the cards. There’s loads of good centres in England but I think we all bring things others can’t.”
■ Max Ojomoh was speaking following Restart Round, a weekend dedicated to supporting rugby players suffering from serious injury, illness or hardship. Follow @ RestartRugby on Twitter and Instagram.
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