Wests Tigers captain Robbie Farah said his family and friends were worried about him as he struggled to deal with off-field dramas at the club.

Farah missed training last week to seek counselling ahead of last Monday’s match against the Melbourne Storm.

Farah has told Phil Gould, in an interview that will air on Channel Nine’s The Footy Show tonight, how badly he was affected by a publicised private conversation he had with commentator and former NRL star Gorden Tallis last year.

Farah was disappointed comments he made in private to Tallis about Tigers coach Mick Potter 15 months ago had been aired on radio by Tallis last month.

The comments fuelled speculation that bad blood between Farah and Potter was damaging the Wests Tigers.

“It got to me,” Farah tells Gould.

“It’s probably the worst I have ever been. Family and friends were worried about me.”

Farah also expresses his disappointment that Tigers chief executive Grant Mayer did not fulfil his request in making a statement that Potter had Farah’s full support.

On Wednesday, Tigers players came out in support of Farah who had come under fire for not fronting the post-game press conference after Monday night’s loss to Melbourne.

Farah took to Twitter on Tuesday night to defend himself against the mounting backlash.

Farah posted a text message he received from the club’s media manager suggesting Keith Galloway front reporters after the match to celebrate his 150th game and to “make it easier” for the skipper.

Tigers team-mate Blake Austin insisted despite losing four out of their past five games, the turmoil surrounding the club was not having an effect on the players.

“We’re not using it as an excuse by any means,” he said.

“We’re a solid group, we stick by each other. We’re backing our captain and we’re backing our coach. We just want to get on with footy.”