However, the club has gone close on three occasions, none more so than in last Friday's encounter against Zurich Premiership runners-up Sale. With a bit of luck they could have easily recorded their first away win in the Premiership since March 2001.

"We can take some comfort in some of the way that we played lately, but at the same time we can't take something out of our until we start getting some substantial points," said England international Sanderson, still showing the disappointment after last weeks defeat.

"What we have shown is that we are a team and we get on well together and are pulling together and we fight for each other."

"You can't say when we are out there that anyone is not pulling his weight. We are 15 players who are very committed to this club and because of that we will turn things around."

"We've got to learn from our defeats and show a bit more resolution. We let is slip last week just after half-time, which was disappointing as we did 99% of it. But it won't feel better until we put it right this week," continued Sanderson in defiant mood.

A win for Quins this Saturday could see them leapfrog over Newcastle and into the top eight, which would leave them in a good position to push-on and climb the table after the first round of matches in the Parker Pen Challenge Cup.

"It's as tough and tight as it has ever been in the Premiership but generally throughout the course of the season it's going to even itself up. You lose three of four you should have won, you win three or four you shouldn't have won, and we are due one soon aren't we?" said Sanderson.

Former Oxford University star Luke Sherriff agrees that after going so close, the change of luck that the club needs is not too far away.

"We are finally starting to show our potential, and if when we can put it together for 80 minutes than I think we can be in the top four, irrespective what anyone else says," commented the 23 year-old forward, now concentrating full time on furthering his rugby education at the Stoop after completing his studies at St.Anne's, Oxford early this year.

"It's just unfortunate that we are seeing a few glitches, a few injuries, it shouldn't really count but we are not quite performing for 80 minutes."

"We've come so close in three out of the four games that we've lost - so close in the last 10 minutes. It's been gut wrenching. Just a little decision here and there."

"It's symptomatic of how this league is. It is so tight it takes one refereeing decision or a bit of bad luck and we are suddenly moved back from inside our opponents half to back in our own."

"But we are getting better and once we get a bit of a run together I think we will do well."