BEN Westwood admits he and his Wolves teammates are “embarrassed” by their efforts in the 2017 season.

After winning the League Leaders’ Shield and reaching both major finals in 2016, much was expected of The Wire this season but they failed to recover from losing their first six games of the campaign, eventually finishing ninth in Super League.

Fans have been critical of many performances over the course of the year, including Saturday’s 40-38 win at London Broncos in the Middle 8s, a game which saw them trail 14-0 early on and come perilously close to throwing away a 40-20 lead.

Head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith is under increasing pressure, though Wolves have denied interest in recently-departed South Sydney coach Michael Maguire.

Westwood says he understands the fans’ frustrations but has “every faith” in his under-fire boss.

“We are embarrassed and it is down to us players when we don’t perform,” the 36-year-old said.

“We know the fans spend their hard-earned money coming to watch us and this year hasn’t been great to watch.

“I have been through some bad times at this club and the fans have always stuck by us.

“I’d ask them to do the same again. We need all the support we can get.

“It is hard for coaches because everyone looks at them first and foremost when things are going badly.

“You can’t forget what Tony has done for the club since he arrived, winning us three Challenge Cups and taking us to three Grand Finals.

“If you look at Leeds last year, I’m sure Brian McDermott was given similar stick but the club stuck by him and it’s worked wonders.

“I have every faith in Tony, as do the rest of the players. We know we have it in us to turn this around.”

Westwood scored his first try of the season at Trailfinders Sports Ground and has now signed a new one-year deal which will see him enter his 17th campaign with the club in 2018.

The England international says “righting the wrongs” of this campaign played a part in him wanting to carry on playing.

“There are still things I want to achieve at this club, such as winning a Grand Final,” he said.

“We have the staff and facilities to do it. I truly believe that.

“I couldn’t walk away with the season we have just had as well. There are wrongs that need to be put right and I want to be a part of that.

“We want to put this season behind us. We are near enough safe and we’ll be mathematically safe if we win on Saturday.

“It cannot just be swept under the carpet though. We need to learn from what has happened this season and take those lessons forward with us.”

Wolves are on course to preserve their top-flight status after winning their first four Middle 8s games and victory over Leigh Centurions at The Halliwell Jones Stadium on Saturday will be enough to mathematically secure their survival.

Neil Jukes’ side are in danger of having to face the dreaded Million Pound Game and Westwood says their desperation makes them a dangerous proposition.

“They are fighting for their livelihoods and we’re not totally safe yet either,” he said.

“We need to make sure we get the two points this week to make sure.

“It will be a tough one because we are coming up against a side who can play and score freely if they are given the chance.

“We have our own points to prove. We are embarrassed by our performance at London so we need to right a few wrongs.”