FAB Flournoy has warned his Newcastle Eagles the middling MK Lions will be looking to make a statement tonight.
The in-form Eagles have made a eye-catching start to 2011 with dominant defeats of Leicester, Sheffield and Guildford – but now take to the road to play the inconsistent Milton Keynes and bogey side Worthing Thunder in back-to-back games.
The Lions and the Thunder are both floundering in the bottom three of the BBL and have just three victories between them, but Flournoy warns both are occupying false positions.
The Eagles head coach reckons this could be the first genuine test of his team’s title mettle this year.
Flournoy said: “We have had the luxury of playing at Sports Central, but this is the first time we have had to ‘face the music’ and play away from home this year.
“Milton Keynes Lions are in a false position.
“I see them as a mid-table side – they have probably lost too much ground to be battling for the title, but they are a team with ability and talent on the roster.
“They have made a lot of changes, they have had venue issues and they are in the same position we were in at the start of December – really up and down.
“They have not been together as a roster for long – they changed Robert Youngblood for Shawn Myers and they have already released one of the Americans that they brought in.
“They are still setting themselves out, but they are going to gel just like we have and this will be a ‘statement’ game for them.
“They will regard it as a chance to make a real noise.
“Because it is us and because we are playing well, they will be up for beating us.” He added: “I am pretty sure this is going to be a tough game. I am willing to stake my coaching reputation on that, so we have to make sure we are prepared to answer the call.”
After walking into the Lions Den it hardly gets more comfortable for Flournoy as he returns to the south coast to take on Worthing for the first time since his infamous ‘clipboard’ protest last season.
With his Eagles team heading for defeat, Flournoy threw a clipboard onto the court – and then led his team off before the final buzzer had sounded, prompting fury from the Worthing fans.
“He knows it will be on the minds of the home supporters.
Flournoy added: “I know I say it every week but it is the biggest week of the season – especially with Mersey Tigers ahead. First it is MK Lions and then it is Worthing Thunder, which will be a really warm welcome for me after what happened last year!
“They might not be doing as well as they want, but they have a good record against us and they will be desperate to keep that going.”
A pair of wins would set the Eagles up nicely for the BBL Trophy semi-final against Mersey Tigers – themselves struggling after back-to-back defeats.
Flournoy said: “I noticed what happened with the Tigers last weekend although I did not watch the game.
“I know everyone is now looking at them and asking questions but I will say this – the Tigers are not finished because they lost two games.”
