The skipper and his men are looking to rein in the nine-point gap between themselves and Worcester during the coming weeks, Welch insisting: “Of course we can get out of it.

“We’ve got eight games left, five of them at home, and against teams we’d like to think we can beat.

“It’s important that we stop paying lip service to the games we think we should have won – we’ve just got to deliver now.”

Taking a clear-headed approach to Sunday’s 3pm kick-off rather than wasting time pondering the implications, the flanker said: “It’s easy to get caught up in everything outside of the club in terms of looking at league tables and listening to what people are saying around it, but two wins and you’re back in the mix.

“We’ve got a good eight-game block now which we can really attack with a positive frame of mind, and our only thought is concentrating week to week on that next challenge.

“That starts by turning up for training every single day with a really clear focus and a good attitude, and we’re not far away. It’s little things that we’re working hard on, and if we do that then I don’t see any reason why we can’t beat Worcester.”

Defeated last weekend away to league leaders Exeter, Welch said: “Even with the internationals away Exeter are still a class side, and the effort and endeavour was there from us.

“I don’t think you can ever question that with a Newcastle Falcons side, and as long as you have that you’ve always got a chance. The biggest thing in this squad is that we’re a group of fighters who want to go out there and win games, and we’re working hard during the week to achieve that.

“The progression that we need is on our attention to detail and making sure we’re accurate in executing our game plan, especially during those key moments in games. That’s what Exeter did last weekend, and we need to be as clinical as those kinds of teams.”

With Wayne Barnes taking charge of Sunday’s 3pm kick-off, precision at ruck time remains one of the key focuses according to Welch.

“It’s tough around the breakdown because every referee has a different interpretation,” he said.

“Some will favour the defensive team more, some the attack, so we’ve got to referee ourselves to a degree and take the officials out of the equation.

“If we’re clean enough around and the breakdown and don’t give Worcester the chance to get their hands on the ball then the referee shouldn’t have too many decisions to make, but Wayne Barnes is one of the best in the world anyway and he should be able to manage that area well.

“The breakdown is a team thing these days and not just down to the back-rowers, so players from one to 15 need to be able to get over the ball and do that job when required. Nowadays hookers, second rows and whoever else are all good at getting into that jackal position, and we just need to be accurate in how we go about it.”

Relishing the challenge rather than shrinking under the scrutiny, the skipper added: “I enjoy these kinds of situations, the boys are all up for it and we’re looking forward to the game.

“This squad are always wanting to right the wrongs so we just want to get back into winning ways, and the mood around the club all week has been really upbeat. We see it as an opportunity to relish and to show people what we’re really about rather than something to be fearful of, and I’m sure our supporters will be behind us.

“They always give us incredible backing, it really does make a difference to the boys and we’re in for a battle against Worcester. It could be one of those games which goes down to the wire, and hopefully we can give our supporters something to cheer about as thanks for the backing they’ve given us all year.”

Tickets for Sunday’s 3pm kick-off against Worcester Warriors at Kingston Park Stadium are available by [**clicking here**][1].

[1]: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/newcastle-falcons/EDP/Event/Index/1385