Vipers eye up a title charge

Oct 27 2007 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

ROB Wilson is beginning to sense the makings of a title-winning side forming at Newcastle Arena.

But the Vipers coach knows this weekend’s Elite League double-header will be a true test of his team’s credentials.

The Vipers travel to Basingstoke Bison today and Cardiff Devils tomorrow with Wilson admitting his side has the feel of that which won the 2006 Play-Offs.

What has most encouraged the Canadian was the way they bounced back from defeat to Cardiff last week.

Newcastle were 2-0 down at home to Edinburgh Capitals on Wednesday, but won 4-2.

The Vipers never lost back-to-back games in 2005-06 and are yet to do so in this campaign.

“That’s a very important statistic,” noted Wilson. “I don’t think there was a team that did that last year.

“I’ve brought that up in the dressing room after we’ve lost a match to say, ‘Lads, never lose two consecutive games again’.

“That’s the attitude we had that year (2005-06) and why that team had such success.

“I think we realistically do have a championship-winning team, it just depends on how we work.

“A lot of championship-winning comes down to what you do on the road, and we’ve got two real tough away games this weekend at Basingstoke and Cardiff.

“I know from my own time as a player you’d get a bit of a hangover after you’d lost and start second guessing yourself when things go wrong.”

“Whereas the 2005-06 vintage had incredible determination, this one possesses more guile without being any less miserly.

“This team’s a lot more skilled than the one that won the play-offs, so if we bring that attitude to this team we could really be on to something.

“We’ve got the best D-group and the best netminder in Ryan MacDonald in the league.

“I still think we’ll be in the top two or three in the league for our defensive record this season, even if we aren’t for goalscoring.”

Jeff Hutchins is missing with a groin injury which could keep him out for a couple of weeks.

Billingham Bombers entertain Bradford Bulldogs in tomorrow’s English National League (North), while the ENL Vipers travel to Blackburn Hawks.