WARRIORS fans believe director of rugby Dean Ryan was wrong to dismiss talk of relegation for winless Worcester.

Last Saturday’s 40-6 defeat at Exeter Chiefs left the Sixways club eight points adrift at the bottom of the Aviva Premiership following six defeats from six games.

The winless run stretches to eight when coupled with a draw and a disappointing home defeat to Sale Sharks in the opening two Amlin Challenge Cup matches.

It has made this Friday’s visit of Bath even more vital as Warriors look to stop the rot.

The prospect of relegation was put to Ryan by your Worcester News rugby reporter Tom Guest following the Exeter reverse and was met with a blunt response.

“To be talking about relegation — especially from a local paper — I think is pretty poor,” he said.

It has sparked plenty of reaction with the majority of fans supporting the question, while a few back the Sixways chief.

On Twitter, @RugbyWorcs said: “To avoid such a question after six straight league defeats and a 40-6 thumping, especially from our DoR, is pretty poor!”

But @pablo_smithio countered: “Looks like I’m the only one who doesn’t agree.

“As DR states, with 16 games and a seven-point gap it’s a long season ahead.”

Here is what fans have been saying on our website and on Twitter.

zx12r said: “Fell out with Mr Ryan big time after his rantings at Tom Guest during the aftermatch press conference. Tom was only asking the question all supporters are asking. It’s all about RELEGATION Mr Ryan and it’s staring you in the face.”

@RugbyWorcs: “To avoid such a question after six straight league defeats and a 40-6 thumping especially from our DoR is pretty poor!”

@StefanRedfern: “Sounds like a man who doesn’t have any answers. Thanks for trying to ask the questions that fans want to hear.”

WS1991 said: “Well done for being truly independent from the club Tom. We want to read your opinion and not the club’s.”

@twentyninth: “Supporters are asking that question, you wouldn’t be doing your job properly if you didn’t ask it of DR.”

Haythorn said: “Bit of a hatchet job Tom. I listened to your recording and your reporting is lower than poor, utterly shocked by your poor reporting over this.”

@Nortonside1: “Fair question but right answer. His job is to inspire and get self-belief going. Poorer teams do win games.”

worcestawarrior said: “Accurate reporting fine, as supporters we all can see the situation we’re in. Picking on individuals “cheap shots”.

@lauriefletcher: “I would have asked same. Shocking that DR didn’t respond.”

@philipmcmullen: “I agree with Dean. The job ahead is hard and relegation talk so early only lumps more pressure on the players.”

@pablo_smithio: “Looks like I’m the only one who doesn’t agree. As DR states, with 16 games and a 7 pt gap it’s a long season ahead.”

@UncleGW: “Ryan’s response worries me, arrogance is not what we need.”

@Stevo8485: “Local papers are club’s link to fans. Not a great idea to alienate and/or either, especially given the current form.”

WarriorUpNorth said: “I can see exactly why Ryan and the team are in this predicament, I don’t think it’s his fault and I don’t have the magic answer either. However, making condescending remarks about local papers really isn’t going to help anyone.”

@MrsAliceHiggins: “Reasonable? Surely it’s the only question to ask!”