A must-win tie for Garbelotto’s men

Mar 31 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

FORMER Newcastle coach Tony Garbelotto believes his Everton Tigers side must beat the Eagles tonight to stand any chance of snatching the BBL title this season.

Despite setting the early pace in the league, Everton have been pegged back and overtaken by the Eagles, who are eight points clear of the Tigers following an excellent 90-79 win in Liverpool at the weekend.

Everton, though, have two games in hand on Fabulous Flournoy’s fast-improving side and a win at the Metro Radio Newcastle Arena this evening would throw the title race wide open again.

Newcastle are on a 13-match winning streak in all competitions and, having won the BBL Trophy Final earlier this month, have got stronger and stronger as the season has developed. Garbelotto, though, still feels the Tigers are good enough to end that impressive run.

“The bottom line is the title race is over if we don’t win at Newcastle,” said Garbelotto, who is still a popular figure on Tyneside following his two seasons as Eagles play-caller.

“There’s no point beating around the bush – it’s as simple as that. We’re capable of going there and winning, but I have to do a better job than I did on Sunday and the players have to do better.

“I’m frustrated and disappointed. At the moment a lot of little things aren’t going our way. We’re not shooting well, we allowed them too many easy shots and had far too many unforced errors.

“We need to control those things and force some pressure. We’ve got to stop them getting into their rhythm or we won’t be able to beat them.”