Director of rugby Steve Diamond admitted his Newcastle Falcons side need to find some positivity following Friday’s 43-10 defeat at Sale Sharks.

Speaking after the Gallagher Premiership clash in Salford, the Falcons boss said: “Belief is an easy word to say, but it’s my job to get the lads convinced they can do it on the day.

“I’ll absorb the pressure and take the criticism, which is what I’m here for, but it’s my role to turn all of this energy and effort into skill and execution.

“It’s not easy because the teams we’re up against every week have got firepower in abundance, and we’ve not been able to cope as well as we would have hoped with the injuries we’ve had.

“But it’s a great group, they give everything and I love working with them. Callum Chick spoke really well to the players after the final whistle, and it’s about generating that belief that we talk about.

“It’s easier said than done against quality opposition week after week, but we’ll keep turning up every day for training committed to improving our position and doing the work required to start turning the ship around.”

Looking back on the Derby Weekend clash, Diamond added: “We were beaten all over the shop, if I’m honest.

“We couldn’t keep hold of the ball when we had it, Sale are a good side and they capitalised very well, and against top teams like that we’re going to struggle.

“We can’t control the game at the moment, and without territory and possession you can’t do anything in rugby.

“Ethan Grayson is doing a grand job at ten with the two guys out injured, but he’s a centre really and he’s having to run a Premiership back line just a couple of weeks after joining the club. It’s no criticism of him because he’s putting his body on the line each time he goes out there, but we’re a couple of weeks away from getting either of our tens back.

“Sale are a good few years ahead of us in their recruitment and development as a team, and it showed.

“The job in hand for me is keeping the gang I’ve got motivated until the end of the season so we can stay in this competition, and that’s where we are.

“We’ve got a lack of skill in certain areas where we’re not able to create pressure or turn pressure into points, but we’ve just got to get through this period. Belief only comes from doing things well, and at the moment we’re not doing that. But we’ll keep going, because we have to.”

Now looking to Friday’s visit of Exeter Chiefs to find that precious first win of the season, Diamond said: “I totally understand supporters and everyone being frustrated with it, but I’m here to front up to that and absorb it from the players.

“We’ll be back in on Monday with a positive mind-set, looking to put in a big performance against Exeter on Friday. That’s all we can do.”