Hetherington is the chief executive of both Leeds Rhinos and Carnegie

Leeds Carnegie chief executive Gary Hetherington admits that the club's board are frustrated and disappointed by a disastrous start to the season.

Leeds have lost all eight of their Premiership games to leave them seven points adrift at the foot of the table.

Hetherington told BBC Radio Leeds: "Like everyone connected to the club we are extremely disappointed.

"We expected to be more competitive than we have been. The saving grace is that we are only eight games in."

Last weekend's defeat to Premiership new boys Exeter condemned the club to their worst ever start to a top-flight campaign.

The Yorkshire club have only won one match all season, in Bucharest in the Challenge up.

"There were a lot of positives at the start of the season," added Hetherington. "We have committed a record level of investment into the squad and the rugby operation this year.

"That led to a lot of expectation, probably some of that wildly optimistic, talk of the top six and reaching the Heineken Cup, so we are very disappointed.

"There are plenty of games still to go. But, having said that, we certainly need to start getting some wins soon."

Asked how confident he was that the current coaches and players could turn their form around, Hetherington said: "This is the best squad of players that we've ever had at the club and we have an extensive backroom staff, with a lot of experience in there.

"So there should be no reason why we can't be more than we are.

"I don't necessarily have the answer to that question but, like everyone else, I'm hoping that these fellows can turn it around and start getting some wins on the board."

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