CELEBRATING “small victories” will be key to building self-confidence within Worcester Warriors’ squad as they bid to claim more scalps on the road.

That’s the view of experienced number eight Gerrit-Jan van Velze who felt Warriors lacked belief when they visited some of the Premiership’s big-hitters last term.

Worcester claimed their first victory at Welford Road last November when they beat Leicester Tigers 31-27 before stunning Exeter Chiefs with a 6-5 win at Sandy Park in February.

But having lost on their other nine trips in the league van Velze reckons there is plenty of work to do this summer to ensure they add more away wins to their tally in the upcoming campaign.

“I do still feel belief is something we have got to improve on,” said the 30-year-old.

“Belief has grown within the majority of the squad since the day we got promoted and stayed up in our first season.

“But I still think we lack belief when we go to big places.

“The fact that we were able to win at Leicester and Exeter helps a lot but when things get tough I think we lose a bit of concentration for a moment — and that’s where belief needs to kick in.

“As a young squad that’s something we have got to work on over the summer.

“We speak numerous times about how tough this league is. If you are 10 per cent off you will get battered.

“There is still a lot of opportunity for growth here so I am looking forward to the new season and am really positive about that.”

Van Velze insists “you cannot buy” belief and reckons it will improve over the course of the campaign.

“I think small victories need to be celebrated every now and then,” he said.

“Whether that’s from winning at Exeter or getting a bonus point against Sarries when nobody gave us a chance, stuff like that builds belief.

“You can’t sign four players and automatically have it. It comes with a group that has got great synergy and sticks together through tough times.”

Last season saw a change in management at Sixways as Alan Solomons replaced Gary Gold as director of rugby while the club was also put up for sale.

But Worcester survived the drop, finishing 14 points clear of relegated London Irish and van Velze felt his team-mates deserved “a lot of credit”.

“The biggest lesson I have learned throughout the season was the only thing that stayed stable was the players,” van Velze said.

“There were times where we haven’t performed well but we came back strongly every time.

“A lot of credit needs to go to the playing squad in terms of the way they dealt with a lot of off-field stuff that’s gone around. But that’s all behind us now.

“Solly has put together a great squad so there are a lot of highs.

“There has also been a lot of reward for a few individuals with Josh Adams coming through the academy to end up being capped (by Wales) at the Six Nations, Ben Te’o’s form and the way Jack Singleton has progressed again.”