We’re a better team for the break, says Lasker
EAGLES AIM TO REIGNITE THEIR CAMPAIGN
DREW Lasker believes Newcastle Eagles needed a week to recover from a double-header from hell last weekend.
The veteran guard expects a much-improved performance from Fab Flournoy’s side against Worcester Wolves tonight as they look to get their title push back on track.
Newcastle were the early BBL pace-setters this season, with five wins from their first five BBL Championship fixtures.
But double-digit defeats at the hands of Leicester Riders and at Bristol Flyers last Friday and Saturday have brought the Eagles back down to earth.
Tonight’s clash at Sport Central represents a golden opportunity to make a statement and get over the disappointment, with Worcester currently bottom of the table.
Lasker missed last Saturday’s defeat due to injury but should be back on court tonight.
And while he believes his Newcastle team-mates would typically have preferred to get a loss out of their system quickly, he thinks the extra time has helped them.
“The worst thing when you lose is that you want to get back on court as quick as possible. But for us we’ve actually needed a little bit of time so we can right some wrongs in training first. We now feel a little bit more comfortable as a team so we’re looking forward to getting back out there tonight.”
“Practice hasn’t been any harder this week, it’s been about making some tactical adjustments as a group. Our practices are always of good quality and pretty intense. It was just about taking a look at the film, seeing where we went wrong and making the adjustments we need to make.”
Lasker had a firsthand view of the Bristol game which he missed through injury but was on the bench supporting the side. “I’m fine. I was back in training by Tuesday. I just felt a little niggle in my hip late in the game on Friday and it was something I hadn’t experienced before. With having back-to-back games, it was too quick for the turnaround. I just decided that I needed to miss the Bristol game rather than play through it.
“That way it meant just missing the one game rather than perhaps doing further damage and missing three or four games. So, although I wanted to play, we decided it would be best if I didn’t and it seems it was the right decision as I’m ready to go for tonight.”
Worcester won on the road at London in the BBL Cup last time out and have a new USA forward in Deshawn Freeman, making his debut tonight. Lasker is aware of that change in the Wolves fortunes. He added: “They had a big result in the Cup at London City Royals last weekend.
“With all the struggles they’ve had that was a big confidence-booster for them and with a new guy coming in you never know with basketball teams. It can bring a change of attitude or it might be a positional thing.”
“It makes this game a lot tougher than it looks on the standings. We’ve just got to focus back in on us and what we do well and that’s what a lot of this week has been about. I’m feeling pretty confident about where we are as a team and getting back on court tonight to show that.”
Tonight’s game tips off at 7.30pm at Sport Central.
We’ve actually needed a little bit of time so we can right some wrongs in training first. We now feel a little bit more comfortable Drew Lasker