Neil Back believes Leeds must take at least two victories from their remaining four games to stay alive in the Aviva Premiership.
Carnegie chief lays down gauntlet; Baxter confesses to reality check
Leeds Carnegie head coach Neil Back has stressed his side must take at least two victories from their remaining four games to stay alive in the Aviva Premiership.
The 42-year-old's rally cry comes after the basement boys claimed a vital 27-22 win over Exeter at Headingley, thanks largely to the kicking expertise of Adrian Jarvis.
Sunday's win, also secured by tries from Hendre Fourie and Alfie To'oala, puts the Yorkshire club within two points of 11th-placed Newcastle Falcons, their next opponents on Saturday.
And Back believes Leeds must take points at the Kingson Road relegation showdown to preserve their top-flight status.
Challenge
The Carnegie head coach said: "We'll do what we need to do or we will die trying. I believe we've got to win at least two of the next four games.
"Bearing in mind we've won three of the last 18, that's a big challenge. But without belief there is nothing. I 100% believe that we can go to Newcastle and win."
Leeds had to show mettle in abundance to claim their third win in 18 and Back added: "Nobody can question the mentality or desire of this squad. It wasn't pretty but we battled hard and did what we had to do to win the game.
"It was a simple game-plan that was well executed. We're scoring tries and we're denying the opposition at the other end.
"In the last four games we've won twice and scored eight tries and conceded very few, so we're in a good place at the moment."
Wall
Exeter head coach Rob Baxter bemoaned his side's error-ridden display but admitted Leeds deserved their win.
The Chiefs have taken the Premiership by storm this season following their promotion last term but Baxter conceded Sunday's setback was a reality check.
He said: "We've hit a little bit of a wall in the last couple of weeks and we've just got to work hard to come through it.
"We coughed up too much ball today and a win would have mathematically secured our place in the Premiership.
"We haven't done that and it's disappointing but I'm very lucky in a lot of ways that I've got a group of players whose effort and endeavour is never in doubt."
