MISSED opportunities past cannot blight Cinderford's final National League One run-in, calls fly-half Mark Davies.
Outside-half Davies reckons promising situations wasted at Blackheath last month and even back at Old Albanians in November have played on the Foresters' minds for too long.
And now he has called on Andy Deacon's men to shrug off inconsistencies in their attacking game, and dispatch Old Albanians in style at Dockham Road tomorrow (kick-off 2.30pm).
Cinderford lost 28-25 with a drop-goal in the game's final play at Old Albanians on November 10 – then slipped up 30-22 at Blackheath on February 16 despite a fast start.
Former Gloucester, Lydney and Bristol playmaker Davies believes Cinderford must strike out previous struggles – and hit back to basics tomorrow.
Targeting four wins from four remaining home games, Davies explained: "I think there are a few games where we were unlucky to lose, and that had maybe set us off a little bit.
"We lost our way at Blackheath after a good start, and then at Old Albanians we lost with a drop-goal in the last play of the game.
"All of that has gone now, we've got to let it go and move past it.
"We're confident we can win all our home games between now and the end of the season, and that's exactly what we're going for.
"When we really get into it I don't think anyone can live with us – but that's not happened anywhere near often enough.
"We want to play with pace and width – but we've got to get the basics right.
"Whenever we have got on top of the basics then we've really caused teams problems.
"But when we stray from that is when we come unstuck."
Cinderford rugby director Deacon has called on his men to increase their communication to end a period of inconsistent attacking.
The former Gloucester prop has given Davies, Danny Pointon and Jack Adams greater responsibility, asking them to become on-field generals through the Cinderford team's spine, alongside captain Will Foden.
Admitting Cinderford need to talk longer and louder in the heat of battle, he continued: "Will is a great leader and talks a lot anyway.
"But we do need to increase our communication on the field.
"It's great that experienced leaders like Danny Pointon and Jack Adams are there to take the initiative as well.
"But it can't just be limited to three or four – everyone's got to do it.
"Everyone's got to talk regularly, tell each other what's going on and where we're meant to be going."
Two years ago Davies had a loan stint with the Foresters while at Bristol.
Now at the Dockham Road club permanently, he said he has been able to settle far more easily to his task.
Hailing the impact of Gloucester coach Paul Moriarty defensive sessions with the Cinderford squad, Davies added: "It feels quite different being here now, I really feel I've settled in properly.
"When I was on loan I was never sure whether I would be called back to Bristol from one week to the next, and I was travelling up and down.
"But now I've moved back home and I've been able to get settled at the club, and I'm really enjoying it.
"Paul Moriarty has had a big influence, he's very technical with us and he's broken defence right down to the basics.
"That's really helped and we've definitely already seen the benefits of that."
CINDERFORD: M Wilcox, N Codlin, J Adams, K Done, L Stapleton, M Davies, D Pointon, C Bundy, T Bozzard, N Selway, B West, E King, W Foden, R Langley, G Evans. Replacements: S Bailey, J Smart, J Kitson, D Critchley, D Scourfield.
