Wilson thinking positive
Dec 26 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal
ROB Wilson hopes the Vipers may be on the verge of a run which will finally kick-start their Elite League season.
The Newcastle side play back-to-back games against Manchester Phoenix in the next two games. Tony Hands’ outfit have been a surprise package this season, punching above their weight to sit fifth in the table. The Vipers’ form has been as disappointing as Manchester’s has been pleasing, and they go into the festive period seventh in the ten-team table.
But with new signings Ed Courtenay and Jeff Hutchins starting to bed in up front, netminder Andrew Verner as solid as ever at the back, and a more accommodating fixture list in the second half of the campaign, player-coach Wilson has eagerly spotted signs for optimism.
Last weekend’s back-to-back wins over Sheffield Steelers and Hull Stingrays were the team’s first since the October victories over struggling Edinburgh Capitals and Basingstoke Bison. The Vipers have now lost only two of their last six games, and one of them only in over-time.
“We’ve got nine out of 12 points,” Wilson noted. “Hopefully it’s going to continue in the next two games. Right now it’s real important to get a couple of wins under our belt in this Christmas period. You never know where it’s going to take you.
“It’s important for us to try and get ourselves up this table. It’s going to be two very difficult games because they’ve had a great start. As for whether we’re starting to improve, we can’t be any worse.” Wilson has maintained for most of the season he has a quality team just lacking a certain X-factor. If indeed they have now found it, he sees no reason why the Vipers can not string a sequence of results as impressive as that which preceded it was dismal.
“I think ‘it’ has always been there, but it can be a bit tough when you’re going through a difficult spell,” Wilson reflected. “When you lose confidence it can be tough to get it back. When it goes you don’t always make the best call. Defencemen try to score themselves and forwards don’t always check their man. If we can get a couple of good wins, hopefully that can change.
“I think there’s a real possibility of us doing something good.”
When asked who were the key men in the recent upturn in form, Wilson pointed to the forwards signed in November, and his old friend Verner.
“Hutchy’s playing very well and Eddie has given us an offensive player we’ve never had before,” he said. “Even the most defensive player wants to score goals and now we have a good chance.”
He has been impressed by the Phoenix, a club of similar stature.
“Manchester are the kind of team we should be measuring ourselves against,” he acknowledged. “They’re a typical Tony (Hands) team. They’re a real goal threat, but they always give you a chance. If we play smart, solid hockey, we should have a good chance of taking three or four points from the weekend.” The teams meet at Altrincham Ice Dome at 4pm today, before heading to Newcastle Arena for tomorrow’s 4.30pm face-off.
