Bath head coach Mike Ford admits that the squad need to take responsibility after a fifth Premiership defeat of the season.

Newcastle's win on Saturday leaves Bath in eighth place after a poor start to the season, having reached the Premiership final in 2014/2015.

Ford praised Newcastle's defnece before calling on his players to give plenty of thought about their mental state before the trip up to Kingston Park.

Bath had previously won on their last ten visits to Kingston Park going back to 2003.

"Credit to Newcastle – they defended really well but our players really need to have a look at themselves and question whether they were really ready to play," Ford said.

"It was wet and windy, but then it often is here.

"We have to look forward but we also have to be truthful and it's all about responsibility and you cannot just expect to turn up and win.

"The players are back in on Tuesday and I expect them to hold up their hands, talk about it and then move on."