Harlequins director of rugby Conor O'Shea reckons his side are capable of staying in the hunt for the Premiership play-offs this season.

Tries from Mike Brown, Danny Care, Marland Yarde (two), Matt Hopper, a penalty score and Karl Dickson secured a 52-0 triumph over league whipping boys London Welsh.

It is the third time the exiles have conceded more than 50 points in a match this season and was Quins' third triumph of the season.

Defeats to Saracens and Exeter Chiefs had suggested O'Shea's would face a similar scrap to last season if they were to finish in the top four.

But the Stoop chief insists otherwise.

"If people thought we were going to go away they will have to think again, to write us off after only four games was insulting," he said.

"We can improve, but this is a brutal league.

"We started last season with only two wins from five matches but this season we have three from five."

And as for Welsh, head coach Jason Burnell admitted his men needed to wise up if they were to survive the chop.

"I am still confident we can survive but we will have to learn quickly as this league is the best club league in the world and is going up in levels each year," he added.