Mac slams injury talk

11:28am Monday 7th July 2008

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Harlequins RL coach Brian McDermott is demanding his side stand up and be counted as the Londoners' Super League play-off hopes hang in the balance.

McDermott watched in horror as Quins suffered a 54-0 demolition at the hands of league leaders St Helens at the Stoop on Saturday, their third defeat on the spin.

But despite a crippling injury list that forced the home side to field the youngest backline in recent history, the no-nonsense boss refused to accept defeat that easily.

McDermott said: "To blame injuries would be the easy answer.

"But if we are going to change things down here I cannot use that as an excuse.

"Injuries are a reason but they are not an excuse.

"We have to be more accountable in defence.

"We need to be a lot stronger.

"We need to put our bodies on the line and get on with it."

Quins were blanked at home for the first time this season as the Saints steamrolled their way to victory, running in ten tries.

And McDermott admitted it was a case of exceptional play on Saints' part.

He added: "The result makes it look like we rolled over but we did not - Saints were just white hot.

"Weirdly I am still proud of the boys.

"But it is worrying for the competition the way St Helens are playing at the moment."

Quins now face a trip to France to face the high-flying Catalan Dragons this weekend as they look to get their season back on track.

And the coach is calling for everybody to pull together, fans included.

McDermott added: "The crowd here have been great all year.

"They are a great lift to the players - the fans appreciate what the players are doing and I really appreciate the crowd.

"We just need to move forward."