LEIGH Centurions coach Keith Latham today held his hands up and admitted his mistakes contributed to Leigh's 60-14 walloping at Division One leaders Wakefield Trinity.
Latham, who describes Sunday's collapse as the worst day of his career at Hilton Park, blames himself as well as the players for the Belle Vue mauling.
"The buck stops with me. I picked the team and planned the preparation. Neither were right," he acknowledges.
"We had a heart-to-heart meeting on Tuesday at which the players readily held their hands up and admitted responsibility.
"But they were not the only ones at fault. I'm honest enough to say that I and the rest of the coaching team didn't get it right either. I was honest with my players, and they were honest with me and to a man we've vowed to put it right against Keighley on Sunday.
"We've not gone through 18 months of hard work to suddenly become no-hopers and whipping boys. I know that the players are capable of far better than they showed last Sunday.
"I've still got tremendous faith in the squad and I'm not going to do anything drastic just yet."
Latham also paid tribute to prop Tim Street who, despite injury, has put his shoulder to the wheel. "Timmy's knee is still sore and despite obvious pain, he pushed himself through a two-hour training session. I think it's his way of helping me and club and giving the squad some leadership and direction.
"That's the calibre of the man."
While Latham isn't contemplating wholesale changes, a growing injury list may force his hand.
As well as Street, eight other players are under treatment, a situation that might open the door for top teenage prospect Radney Bowker to make his full league debut.
The eighteen-years-old stand-off has turned in some impressive performances in the reserve team of late and according to Latham, 'is not only knocking on the first team door, he's literally hammering it down.'
Meanwhile Leigh have given up on taking a loan replacement from Wigan Warriors for second rower Dave Whittle who was recalled to Central Park last week.
Highly-rated forward Steve Barrow refused to move temporarily to Hilton Park after Hull Sharks apparently declared an interest in a loan deal.
"John Monie says his squad is down to the bare bones and they don't want to lose more players. There's nothing we can do but to take it on the chin," says Leigh chairman Mick Higgins.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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