Jetstream: "What dead rubber?" - Lavery

Oct 19 2011

Cheshire Jets' John Lavery

DEAD rubber? Try telling the players that!

You could be forgiven for thinking that following a series of narrow defeats against the Sheffield Sharks (twice) and the Mersey Tigers, the result of the final BBL Trophy group game at the Tigers’ new lair in Knowsley tomorrow evening was irrelevant and unimportant. 

Well, although it is now impossible for the Jets to qualify for the semi-finals, the result in fact means an enormous amount to the players – and to me and the rest of the coaching staff as well.

It is never easy to start a season with a 0-4 run, and it makes it a whole lot harder when you have held substantial leads in three of those games, only to see opponents grab the glory at the death. 

The players, to a man, know that they can play better, know that they can put up better numbers and know that they are not far away from that much needed first win. What better place to get it than at the home of our nearest rivals!

It is not only for their personal and professional pride that the team want to take that important psychological step – it’s also for the sake of the faithful Cheshire fans, who have not had a great deal to cheer about so far this season.

You can rest assured that the players will be doing everything they can this week to put that right!

And from my point of view, I’ve got a job to do on the training court as well. Since the guys came together last month they have worked really hard on their fitness and conditioning, on the execution of plays and on shooting drills (though that might not have been totally obvious last Sunday against the Riders).

This week we will be working hard on increasing their overall confidence, bringing a smile to their faces, having some fun, while concentrating on getting the basics right.

I remain very happy with the players who make up the roster. Without exception they are hungry for success, not only for themselves, but for their team-mates, the fans and the Jets’ organisation.

I am firmly convinced that they are about to start demonstrating some of that potential.