JONATHAN Thomas has urged his side to show some "old-fashioned grit" ahead of this weekend's Gallagher Premiership clash with Sale Sharks on Saturday.

Worcester are looking to bring an end to the horrific losing streak in the league, in which they have lost 13-straight matches.

They have shipped 159 points in their most recent games against Bath, Northampton and Harlequins and twice have leaked over 50 points. Thomas knows a response is required at home this weekend.

"What we have to do is show that we care about the club," he said.

"There is no point in talking about next season or the next three or five years, what we must now show some good old fashioned grit. Work hard and as long as people watching can see that you care about the team and care about each other, that's what they want.

"Before the Bath game, I think we were showing all the signs of the things I have just mentioned; heart, desire, grit. The things is, you look at the the games against Bristol, Exeter, Gloucester, Wasps - they were all games that we should have won and that chips away at confidence but the team weren't a bad performing team.

"Obviously at the moment we are getting towards the end of a difficult season for all concerned, especially when so many players are leaving, it's a challenge. The league table doesn't lie, we haven't been good enough and we have to own that.

"But in the here and now, we are playing for respect."

The Worcester head coach has already revealed that 20 players are leaving the club this summer and he thinks that has had an impact on recent performances.

"When a large volume of players know they are moving on, that's really challenging," said Thomas.

"What we are striving for here is growth but when people know they are leaving the club, it's hard to grow those individuals because they know there is no future for them at the club.

"So we have got almost half of our squad leaving the club. No other side is going through that.

"Look at Leicester, they finished bottom of the pile last season and Steve Borthwick was clear and has been clear about what he needed to do to improve that and I think that is what we are going through at the moment."