This is the big one, says Fab Flournoy

Apr 24 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

FAB Flournoy has handed his high-flying Newcastle Eagles a stark warning as they prepare to launch their play-off tilt: Your achievements this season count for nothing now.

The Eagles have added the league and BBL Trophy to the growing list of honours accrued in the Flournoy era, but the New Yorker has made atoning for last year’s disastrous showing in the end-of-season tournament the priority.

With just a solitary defeat in their last 19 games, the Eagles are the form team and the favourites to win the play-offs as they prepare to take on the Cheshire Jets in their quarter-final tie at the Arena tonight.

But for Flournoy being the bookmakers’ pick and having form on the Eagles’ side means nothing against the Jets, a team that Flournoy believes are dark horses to make the finals day in Birmingham.

“This is the game that we have anticipated and prepared for all season – it is more important than everything we have done and won beforehand,” he said.

“This is the one competition where the best team doesn’t always win. It’s not like in the NBA where we’ve got a series and the best usually wins over that series.

“It’s one game, the losers go home and in that scenario if you’re in any way complacent, then you’re in trouble. I have drilled it into the players that we have to learn from every game that we have played during the regular season and this is the reason why – so we can put it into practice on nights like tonight.

“Winning the league and trophy are both great achievements for the team but the play-offs are the defining image of the summer. Everyone goes into the close season remembering who lifted that cup in Birmingham – we’ve got to finish off our season showing we’re dominant.”