LEIGH Centurions' top brass have backed away from making a knee-jerk reaction to last Sunday's shock defeat at Chorley.

They have confirmed to the Journal that the position of Head Coach Paul Terzis is under no immediate threat and have pleaded with the Hilton Park fans to 'show a bit of patience.'

The defeat by a team from one division lower brought rumblings of discontent from the terraces but Executive Director Derek Beaumont has urged fans to swallow their disappointment and get behind the team in this weekend's home clash with Rochdale.

"We are not burying our heads in the sand, but we are not going to be panicked into making a knee-jerk reaction," he said.

"Have Wigan dumped Stuart Raper after a couple of bad results; have Saints ditched Ian Millward after two successive defeats. Of course they haven't. And neither are we.

"I've had a long chat with Paul (Terzis) and expressed the board's concerns and made him fully aware that performances like last Sunday's are not acceptable. But believe you me, he's as gutted as the rest of us. He felt the pain of that defeat just as much as the ordinary bloke on the terraces.

"We set certain goals at the start of the season and so far we are on course to achieve those. We've qualified for the National Cup play-offs which was our number one objective. Now we want a good start to the league campaign and then go on and win the National Cup before ultimately winning the Grand Final.

Massive improvement

"If I know Paul he work extra hard to get over this hiccup and I'm expecting a massive improvement from the team this weekend.

"I would plead with fans not to walk away from us now. Stick with us and we'll do everything possible to give you the success you crave.

"We have listened to fans' concerns and value their opinions greatly, but we won't be pressured into making a snap decision we will regret in the future."

Meanwhile Terzis has expressed great relief at the medical news that start front rower Sonny Nickle did not suffer a serious eye injury at Chorley.

Nickle, making his return after three matches out with an elbow injury, was taken to the eye specialist at the Royal Bolton Hospital after a stray finger scratched the pupil.

"It was very worrying at the time, but thankfully the injury is clearing up nicely," Terzis reports. "Sonny still has a little blurred vision but everything's pointing to a quick and complete recovery.

Even though nothing is at stake in Sunday's final Arriva Trains Group game at home to Rochdale, Terzis will still be sending out a strong side with John Duffy, Dave Alstead, Phil Kendrick and Dale Holdstock all under consideration after missing out last weekend.

Terzis admits he now has one eye on the start of the National League One campaign which kicks off with two tough Easter games for the Centurions.

"We've two hard games in four days against Hull KR and then Whitehaven, so I want the squad in the best possible shape physically and mentally.

"That's why Sunday's performance against Rochdale is very important to us. We fell off the horse at Chorley so now's the time to get back on and see how we ride."