Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown apologised to supporters after his side's 52-6 trouncing at lowly Castleford.
The former Stobart Super League leaders conceded eight tries in a woeful performance before Sunday's Challenge Cup semi-final against Warrington.
Added to their woes was that winger Luke George could be a doubt for the last-four clash after being taken off with concussion.
Brown was scathing about his side's display as he reflected on their seventh defeat in their past eight league matches.
"Today is the worst day since I've been at the club. We played a side who are struggling down at the bottom of the table with six or seven blokes out," he said.
"We quit and it's sad to say that. We put 17 bodies out there and there was probably one or maybe two that had some soul - the rest were skeletons.
"We quit early in the game and as a coach obviously I take my share of the responsibility. It's my saddest coaching day since I've been at Huddersfield. We need to be much, much tougher as a group.
"I feel as much to blame as the players should feel. It's embarrassing for the fans and I can only apologise. For them to see that today, I feel really sorry for them and they are entitled to be angry and they entitled to boo me and boo the players."
Castleford, with just one win in their previous six games, gave a dazzling display.
Former Hull half-back Jamie Ellis capped an impressive Tigers debut with a try and 10 goals from 11 kicks and full-back Richard Owen bagged two tries.
Coach Ian Millward was delighted with his side's show.
"We had a high completion rate and great kicking game," he said.
"What we've lacked in previous games is an inability to hold the ball but today we had an 90 per cent completion rate in the first half and 90 per cent in the second.
"Jamie Ellis and Danny Orr were outstanding with their kicking games.
"We got what we deserved - a comprehensive win. We only conceded one try and that was from a kick. It was a pretty dominant performance.
"We had eight players out and a display like that takes a fair bit of guts and attitude.
"It was a very good debut by Jamie Ellis."
