ALAN GAFFNEY has threatened to wield the axe unless his under-performing Saracens side buck their ideas up after watching them stumble to their 'worst' defeat under his stewardship.

The Men in Black lost 6-15 to Harlequins and it was no more than the toothless hosts deserved.

"I'm as disillusioned as I've ever been since coming to Saracens as I can't think of many worse performances than that," raged Gaffney.

"We can't get the ball across the whitewash, which is extremely disappointing. I'm sick of saying it but we had opportunities with numbers over but we just didn't take them.

"Either our skill levels are not good enough or we have got the wrong people playing."

"A lot of the ball we got was slow which made it difficult for Gordon Ross in that area," added the Aussie. "We lack pace and make too many basic errors.

"There is no doubt you lose a bit of confidence on a bad run. This past month the tries have dried up. We need to understand why that is happening and how we can adjust."

The director of rugby pointed to the absences of ankle injury victims Glen Jackson and Kevin Sorrell, and centre Andy Farrell (ribs) as a major factor in the recent run of poor displays.

"Kevin Sorrell has been out since the Glasgow game which is the last time we played well," said Gaffney. "He is an enormous loss for us as is Jacko who can make a big difference.

"Faz also gives us a fair bit of solidity."

Gaffney, who said he and the coaching staff must also be accountable for the inept display admitted Sarries' play off chances had suffered a massive blow.

"Making the top four at the present time is a long way off, particularly with the way we are playing.

"We're not dead and buried just yet but we will be unless we lift our level of performance."

Quins boss Dean Richards heaped praise on scrum-half Danny Care after the youngster set up both his side's tries.

"He is playing extremely well," said Richards. "He offers a huge amount around the fringes and is taking his chance (in the first team) well."

8:23pm Sunday 24th February 2008

Print   Email this   Comment