Eagles ready to learn from their mistakes
CHRIS Bunten insists Newcastle Eagles WBBL head into 2019 ready to right the wrongs which derailed a promising start to a landmark season.
The experienced playcaller is confident better game management will give his side a much-needed mid-season boost.
This weekend’s homecourt double-header provides the perfect platform to put that theory into practice.
Bunten said ahead of today’s clash against Manchester Mystics:
“Over the Christmas break I have had a chance to analyse all of our games and most of our problems have been self-inflicted.
“We are a talented team but we have made too many mistakes and we just need to manage certain situations better.
“Of course, we had a few key players missing towards the end of 2018 and that did not help but the bigger picture is we have to be more focused.
“Defensively I know we can do better. This weekend I will be concentrating on the performances first and foremost and I believe the results will look after themselves.”
Bunten is without former Team GB star Steph Gandy for this weekend’s fixtures but will welcome back versatile forward Georgia Ohrdorf.
The energetic Aussie suffered a concussion last month but has returned to full training this week.
On paper Newcastle are capable of beating both Manchester and tomorrow’s opponents Caledonia Pride - but consistency has been a problem for the Eagles.
Bunten added: “Of course, I would like to say both games are winnable but it really is about focusing on the performances rather than the results right now.
“There is still a long way to go this season and I don’t want to become fixated on the league table.”