Leicester coach is wary of Eagles’ duo

Oct 13 2007 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

EAGLES’ duo Richard Midgley and Olu Babalola are being tipped as the men to spearhead Newcastle’s trophy haul this year by Leicester coach Martin Ford.

Fab Flournoy and his in-form team travel to the East Midlands tonight to face Ford’s roster only two days after edging out border-rivals Scottish Rocks. Midgley shone during the Eagles’ midweek trip to their Glasgow-based opponents, and the Leicester play-caller is suggesting he will be the man to crash the BBL this year. The GB International killed off the thrilling double-overtime game when he drained seven points in the dying moments to end the contest and break Scottish hearts.

Meanwhile, Babalola remains the fans’ favourite on Tyneside despite failing to secure regular court-time this campaign.

Ford said: “Midgley had a fantastic summer with Great Britain and is without a doubt a quality player. But Babalola’s sheer size and presence is going to give us our biggest headache over the weekend. We just don’t have anyone who can match up with him size-wise.

“We’re athletic, but lightweight in comparison. He’s a great player, and he would be a success in any programme. They are both solid players, and they will be key to Eagles’ success this season.”

Tonight’s clash is the Eagles’ second game in four days as Flournoy endures a hectic schedule following his early season 12-day break. And Wednesday night’s extended fixture will have done little to help a Tyneside team set to face two tough tests in as many days.

Flournoy’s men will leave Leicester immediately after this evening’s fixture to travel nearly 250 miles to Plymouth for a game tomorrow, before hosting Everton at the Metro Radio Arena on Tuesday night.

The Eagles play-caller said: “We’re playing at two of the toughest places in the league to visit in the space of five days. But we’re just going to have to adjust and get used to the heavy pace. We’ve prepared well and we’ve kept in shape during the break.

“Playing at Leicester is a huge test, they are a tough team at home and to be honest we always seem to lose out first visit there each season.

“With Martin Ford coaching there, they will be well prepared and it’s up to us to go there and play tough defence and show some poise I’m not sure what system he’ll use, but they’ll be well prepared.

“Martin will focus on what they are going to do, rather than what we do.”