DIRECTOR of rugby Dean Ryan has slammed the doom-and-gloom merchants for talking down Worcester Warriors’ prospects in the Aviva Premiership.

Ryan says newly-promoted Warriors are “so much better than people give us credit for” after picking up five points from a 28-20 victory against winless Newcastle Falcons in front of 7,987 fans at Sixways.

He said the local media and supporters must look at the potential for Warriors to make progress, rather than reflecting on past woes.

Mid-table Warriors have won two of their opening four matches, equalling the number of wins when Ryan’s side were relegated from the top tier two seasons ago.

Before the campaign, Warriors were favourites with most national bookmakers for the drop.

“I am bored of talking, and I am sure Dean (Richards) feels the same at Newcastle, about where we are both going to be at the end of the season,” said Ryan. “We have been competitive in every game and got 10 points.

“Please give us the respect that we should not be pushed against Newcastle about where we will be in May.

“I am getting frustrated with everybody talking down about us. I think everyone has to start understanding — that is the local media and the fans — it is about looking at where this club can go rather than to keep anchoring it to where it has come from. It is a frustration of the players and it is having an effect.”

Two tries from recalled centre Alex Grove, who played as Wynand Olivier was getting married in South Africa, led Warriors to victory.

Debutant Bryce Heem and Chris Pennell also scored tries, with Tom Heathcote slotting four conversions.

Warriors got the try bonus point before the interval but worked hard, particularly in a dogged second half, to see off a spirited Falcons side.

Ryan said: “Ten points is what we expected from four games and we are frustrated we did not sneak more.

“We have had two home games, which offered us an opportunity for eight points.

“If we operate below-par we will not achieve them but I am getting tired of Press conferences where everybody is trying to anchor us to the bottom and saying we have done well to get a point or whatever.

“This side needs to understand it is much better than that. And then everybody else needs to understand it too. We are targeting upwards and not referencing the past.

“The players are certainly not attempting to come second-last in a competition.

“I refuse to enter a contest where second-last is seen as successful, so stop anchoring us to it and comparing us to everybody else in that race.

“We are so much better than people give us credit for and have to trust in ourselves. If we do, we will win more games than we lose.”