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Page last updated at 14:30 GMT, Friday, 24 September 2010 15:30 UK

Mike Rayer bemoans Bedford Blues reputation

Mike Rayer
Rayer is looking to maintain his side's good form at home

Bedford Blues boss Mike Rayer is keen to shake his side's tag of playing expansive rugby.

The Blues showed the gritty side of their game on Saturday to despatch Doncaster in their own backyard.

Rayer told BBC Three Counties Radio: "It cheeses us off a bit that we've got this reputation for being a 15-man team throwing a ball around willy nilly.

"Without that ball being produced by a good quality set of forwards you haven't got much hope."

The 29-24 victory over the Knights lifted Rayer's men to third in the table and continued their impressive defensive form.

"This group of lands scramble like hell and defend their line at all costs," Rayer added.

"We've conceded four tries in four games which is a great return considering there are a hell of a lot more tries being scored across the board.

"I hope people keep underestimating our forwards, that's all I can say."

Bedford will look to retain their 100% record at Goldington Road this season when they host Moseley on Saturday, a side that have picked up draws in their last two outings.

"What they'll bring is a very, very experienced pack, very good at set pieces so we'll have our work cut out in that area," Rayer continued.

"They've got an outside-half in Brad Davies who was at Bedford for the last two years, he knows the contours of our pitch very well, so he'll have inside knowledge going into the game."

The Blues will be without number eight Chris Goodman after he turned an ankle in training, while Sacha Harding is unlikely to recover from the knock that kept him out of the Doncaster win.

Back row Will Fraser, who is dual registered with Saracens, is set to come in at number seven after impressing off the bench on Saturday and Mike Howard has recovered from a knee injury quicker than expected.



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see also
Bedford mixture pleases captain
21 Sep 10 |  Rugby Union
Bedford boss works on discipline
16 Sep 10 |  Rugby Union
Bedford flanker 'mans up'
14 Sep 10 |  Rugby Union
Rayer lays out Bedford challenge
03 Sep 10 |  Rugby Union


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