Leeds' terrible season has continued, with the defending champions crashing out of the Challenge Cup thanks to a 36-22 loss to Huddersfield.
But coach Brian McDermott is undaunted, insisting he has gone through tougher periods in his time in charge of the Rhinos.
Leeds, long a powerhouse of English rugby league, look destined to finish 2016 without a trophy after going down in the sixth round of the Challenge Cup but McDermott says his injury-hit team are still aiming for a top-four finish in Super League.
"I've been through far tougher periods than this," McDermott said.
"We're going through some tough times as a group and this is one of them.
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"I don't think it's a form thing. We've got a group of senior blokes who are taking care of a group of younger men. The younger men are at times making some naive choices and senior blokes are probably feeling a bit of pressure.
"We're not playing well and at times looking like we are lacking cohesion but I'm not watching a group of people who don't care."
Leeds, who have won just three of 13 games in their Super League title defence, will have a chance to make up ground on eighth-placed Castleford when they play them next Thursday and McDermott insists they have something to play for.
"Well, numerically we can still make the top four," he said. "That's where we're at. It's a big ask but that's what we're going for."
In Friday's other Challenge Cup game, Super League side Catalans Dragons thrashed lower-division outfit Batley 40-4.
