FAB Flournoy has warned weary Mersey Tigers that his new-look Newcastle Eagles are ready to wipe out a season of misery at Sport Central tonight.
After a flurry of fascinating twists and turns in the BBL title race it all boils down to tonight’s titanic tussle between Tony Garbelotto’s table-topping Tigers and a hastily assembled Eagles side that has outstripped expectations over the past fortnight.
In a match that looks too close to call, Eagles fans will cling to the fact that their in-form side has had three days to rest while an exhausted Mersey were put through their paces at third-placed Sheffield Sharks last night.
Those favouring the claims of the Tigers will counter by pointing out that Garbelotto’s side have inflicted a series of damaging blows on the Eagles already this season – including knocking them out of the Cup and Trophy competitions.
A bullish Flournoy would argue that losing record means nothing tonight, not least because his team has been forcibly overhauled since the last time the two sides tussled in February.
Since that narrow defeat in the last four of the Trophy the Eagles have lost Trey Moore and Joe Chapman to injury while recruiting Reggie Jackson and adopting a more defence-led strategy.
Key to the destination of the title will be whether a Tigers team build to outscore their North East rivals – and usually adopting a full-court press to wear down the Eagles big scorers – will be able to adapt.
Flournoy said: “Everything that has gone on this season and that losing record means absolutely nothing because we are completely different team.
“It’s a totally different story. If we had the same team maybe it would be more relevant but we are playing differently and have different players so this is a whole new ball game.
“Whatever weaknesses they have exploited before are irrelevant now. They didn’t play against Reggie (Jackson) and now we have Drew Lasker who they haven’t played against before. The only two constants really are Charles Smith and Andrew Bridge but we are a brand new team.
“To be honest, I would argue that past record never matters. We could have lost 1,000 times to the Tigers this season but it is all down to this one match – it is what we wanted at the start of the season and it’s what we’ve got so the gloves are off. I can’t wait, the guys can’t wait. I’m very confident in how we need to play and I’m very confident that these guys know what they need to do.”
With the margins of error so narrow, Flournoy hopes to make the most of home court advantage.
While Mersey main man Drew Sullivan is arguing that a swollen Sport Central crowd will spur on the big game players on the Tigers roster, Flournoy believes it will count in the Eagles favour.
“If we can get a big crowd in it will be a big advantage,” he said. “We know it is a tough sell to our fans because it is a mid-week game that has been re-arranged and we haven’t been able to promote it as well but I’m hopeful the public will get behind us again. They can be our extra man.
“To be honest, it just helps us to not have to be on a bus travelling. Our guys are tired, as everyone is by this stage of the season, but we get extra rest by being at home.”
For tickets go to www.newcastle-eagles.com or ring the club on 01912453880. Tip off is at 7.30pm – you can also pay on the day.
