HEAD coach Carl Hogg insists Worcester Warriors will be keeping their season’s hopes and aspirations to themselves.

Warriors finished 10th in the Aviva Premiership under then director of rugby Dean Ryan and bowed out at the pool stage in the European Challenge Cup.

Hogg says Warriors have set their “goals internally” and believes they have “got all the building blocks on place”.

The Sixways club are second-bottom and still seeking their first win of the season after two defeats and two draws from four matches.

Warriors drew 34-34 against Sale Sharks last Saturday after squandering a 31-17 lead and they face their biggest match of the campaign so far against Newcastle Falcons at Sixways on Sunday (3pm).

Worcester are playing an attractive brand of running rugby but let slip a 17-3 advantage at Bath in a 37-22 defeat and were 20-9 ahead against Gloucester in an M% derby which finished 23-23.

“We have set our goals internally about where we want to be as a club and we know what we are trying to do over a period of time and we have got all the building blocks in place,” said Hogg.

“I have been an assistant in the Premiership for around 12 years and seen how different directors of rugby operate.

“I am different from previous and I will be different to other people but I will very much do it my way and it’s something I believe in and it’s something I think will be successful.

“One thing you can always guarantee about the Premiership is that it will be competitive week in week out and that’s probably where it is different from other competitions in other leagues around the world.”

Hogg has high hopes for powerful back rower Alafoti Fa'osiliva, who arrived at Sixways in the summer after his depature from Bath.

Fa'osiliva was red-carded in the second half against Gloucester and suspended for one match after his leading arm made contact with the head of Gloucester tackler Mariano Galarza.

“Alafoti gives us a point of difference as a back row,” said Hogg.

“He’s a big, physical ball carrier who will get us over the gain-line.

“This has always been about putting building blocks in place to move us forward and this my fourth year involved at Worcester.

“The first couple of years were tough and we were down in the Championship when it was about growing a culture and growing a group.

“It’s imperative we create an environment and a team where people can fulfil players' international aspirations - and that’s key.”

Warriors have been hampered by a host of injuries but full-back Chris Pennell (neck) and centre Ryan Mills (groin) are expected back for the club's opening European Challenge Cup matches.

Back-rows Dewald Potgieter (thigh operation) and Sam Lewis (shoulder operation) and full back Ben Howard (ankle operation) are facing longer on the sidelines.

“Sammy (Lewis) had nerve issues from his shoulder, has had an operation to resolve that and will have a lengthy period out of the game,” said Hogg.

“He had several investigations around his nerves and then an operation."