We will learn from losses says Williams

GOING into last weekend’s games, Esh Group Eagles Newcastle were perched at the top of The BBL unbeaten with five straight victories, writes JEFF KING.

Coming out of the weekend the situation had changed dramatically with losses at home to Leicester and on the road in Bristol.

It’s meant a hard week of thought and practice for head coach Fab Flournoy and his players as they look to get back on track for the visit to Sport Central of Worcester Wolves tomorrow night.

Starting forward Jamal Williams reflected on last weekend and what he feels he and his teammates need to do in response to the defeats and the games ahead.

“I think a lot of things went wrong last weekend,” he said. “Not looking to make excuses, but having a 12-day lay-off probably upset our rhythm more than we thought in terms of being together on the court.

“It seemed we just didn’t play the way we’ve been playing both defensively and offensively.

“I think at times we were panicking and trying to do things we shouldn’t have to put things right. We just didn’t respond well when we were in those adverse situations in both games. I honestly think it was something that needed to happen.”

“I’m happy it’s happened early in the season and not in a quarterfinal, semi-final or even a final as it gives us time to learn about ourselves in adverse situations.

“It’s still early and even with those results we’re still in there with it all in our hands.”

Not many people saw two defeats coming for the Eagles as their form at the start of the season was so good that the rest of the BBL was beginning to believe it was the Newcastle of old returning.

“It was probably a bit surprising to most that we lost given the way we’d started, but both Leicester and Bristol are very good teams this season,” said Williams. “Yes, we started 5–0 but those were probably the best two teams we’ve faced and it shows how tough the league is.”

The focus now turns to tomorrow and Williams is in no doubt as to what is needed.

“I think our main goal this week in practice is talking to each other and getting back to being us and making sure we remain consistent on both offence and defensive. We have to get back to what we were successful at in those first five games.”