CHAIRMAN Cecil Duckworth has launched a sensational attack on Worcester's under-performing players and blamed them for cranking up the pressure on director of rugby John Brain.

Duckworth was furious after fundamental errors saw Warriors slide to a sixth home defeat of the season against Harlequins on Wednesday and has warned a handful of players they must raise their games or face the consequences.

"They are letting the supporters down," he said. "If they are lacking form or lacking confidence they shouldn't be picked and they won't be.

"They are basic mistakes and they are not acceptable. We can't keep gifting tries to the opposition. I am very, very disappointed. I am furious with some of the decisions or lack of decisions we made. We just need to eliminate some basic mistakes. We have massive support here and it is just unacceptable."

Brain offered to resign last month but Duckworth remains supportive of the man who masterminded Worcester's rise to the top flight and restored their Premiership status the last two seasons.

"John is a very hard-working and dedicated man," he said. "He's feeling the pressure because the players are letting him and everyone down. It's not the coach."

The Quins defeat leaves Worcester nine points adrift of Northampton at the bottom but the deficit can be cut at Saints on Monday.

Franklin's Gardens has been a happy hunting ground for Warriors, who have won all four of the matches they have played there.

"There have got to be some changes," said Duckworth. "There will be a different team playing at Northampton. They are playing for their careers at Worcester and anywhere else."

Duckworth insists his criticism does not extend to the whole team and, although he has not named individuals, he is displeased with a penalty conceded straight from the kick-off and mistakes that led to two of Quins' three tries.

Just five days earlier, Warriors had suffered another loss at home and the two results have almost derailed the club's bid to avoid relegation to National One.

"We could have won both games and we lost them," said Duckworth. "The opposition haven't won the games, we have just conceded tries when we shouldn't have and it is very frustrating."