Eagles looking to shake off Cup setback

LAST weekend was a very disappointing one for Esh Group Eagles Newcastle as they crashed out of the BBL Cup at the semifinal stage, writes JEFF KING.

For head coach Fab Flournoy and his coaching staff, it is now all about how they get the players back up and focused.

They face a difficult BBL Championship game tomorrow night against a red-hot Sheffield Sharks side.

Assistant coach Ian Macleod said: “We bounce back the only way we can, really.

“Review the game, analyse the video and attempt to put things right on the practice floor, taking the improvements into Friday’s game at Sheffield.”

After beating London Lions by two-points in the first leg fo their Cup semi-final, the Eagles lost the second by 12 a - nd Macleod addressed the difference in the two games as well as giving some thoughts on where he believes the side need to improve.

He added: “I think in the home leg we did good things defensively, and while we did not score a huge amount of points we were able to limit London and take a two-point lead into the second leg.

“Ideally, that would have been a larger lead.

“The second leg was simply the reverse of that.

“While we were able to score, and even left a few easy ones out there, we did not stifle them enough on the defensive end.

“We have to stay focused and locked in for longer stretches.

“It is not tactical, it is about being in the moment and executing consistently.

“We cannot do that for a few minutes at a time, it needs to be consistent and relentless.”

Even winning the first leg was no consolation to an Eagles side outplayed and out-thought by a very good Lions outfit.

Macleod said: “If it was a home and away league game, or a one-off game, then maybe we could take something away from it.

“Realistically, we will be judged on the last game we play.

“They did a good job of playing with tempo and intensity.”

The Eagles move on to face a Sharks side which has won seven games in a row.

Macleod added: “They are a team who have regrouped well.

“They made personnel changes which have given them a boost.

“It will be a tough game, it always is at Sheffield, and we need to respond to that challenge.”