Newcastle boss Steve Diamond admitted his team “did not get off the bus” after they suffered a crushing 85-14 Gallagher Premiership defeat against Bristol at Ashton Gate.
While Bristol surged into the play-off positions, Newcastle were left to reflect on a 15th successive league loss of the season.
“I thought we had taken a couple of steps forward over the last month, but that was certainly a step back. It gives us a line in the sand,” Falcons’ consultant director of rugby said.
“We never touched the ball for the first 15 minutes and they were 21 points up. We didn’t get off the bus at all. It was not a positive vibe.
“All we can do is take them back home and get them ready for Sale next week.
“I said when I came back in that we would have three or four games and I would be making decisions, and that is what we will do.
“It’s a tough world out there and we are obviously not up to it in certain areas, which was evident today.
“It is 15 (Premiership) games without a win so it is very difficult to have any positivity in the building when you keep losing every week.
“We have been close in the last couple of weeks and today it looked like a completely different team. Bristol were outstanding today – they would probably have put 25-30 points on anybody in the league – and it is a tough learning day.”
Bristol reeled off a fifth successive Premiership victory as they moved into fourth spot with three regular season games left.
Pat Lam’s team scored more than 50 points for the third home game in a row, posting a club-record Premiership win as they ran in 13 tries.
They claimed seven first-half touchdowns – Siva Naulago, James Dun, Max Malins, Magnus Bradbury, James Williams, Ellis Genge and Benhard Janse van Rensburg all scored – with fly-half AJ MacGinty adding six conversions.
Further tries followed in the second period for Harry Randall, Kieran Marmion, Jake Heenan, Virimi Vakatawa (2) and Van Rensburg’s second – Williams kicked three conversions and Van Rensburg one – while Newcastle posted scores from wing Adam Radwan and fly-half Brett Connon, who also added two conversions.
Bristol’s remaining three Premiership fixtures are Leicester away, Saracens at home and Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop, but they are a team with momentum and could take some stopping.
Lam said: “I am really pleased for the whole squad. Everyone is pushing hard, everyone understands their roles.
“It was a good day. The players were ruthless in terms of getting their jobs done for the team.
“We have put a real emphasis back on our skills, our mindset, our teamwork and being fearless. When I look around the place, the boys are enjoying themselves.
“The table means nothing until the last round is finished, which is when it counts. Now we go to Leicester and if you get a win there, it is always cherished.”
