Swindon Wildcats player-coach Aaron Nell says his team have a real determination to go and clinch the NIHL Division One South title this weekend.
It’s the final rounds of the regular season and after failing to complete their task last week after suffering two losses, Wildcats go into their last two games still needing a point.
But despite losing four of their previous five meetings with Saturday’s opponents, Bracknell Bees, Nell insists he’s seen the extra motivation in his players throughout the week.
“We’ve got to forget about everything going on and focus on the two games this week to end the season in the right way,” he said.
“There’s a real determination from the guys in the room this week and appreciate they’ve got the chance to get this done. They want to get it done and I could see that in them this week.
“The league’s the one everyone wants to win and we want to have some good momentum that will take us into the play-offs.
“We’re all looking forward to this weekend and what may possibly happen. We could have got the job done last week, but not winning it last week have motivated everyone to go and make sure we do it.
(PHOTO: Swindon Wildcats)
“After the game on Sunday, we were gutted, but once they realised they were still in a great spot and it was still in our hands, they relaxed a bit and know they have another go.”
The loss to Streatham was a disappointing one on Saturday, but with two chances to clinch it this weekend, Wildcats and Nell know it’s theirs to lose.
With newly-crowned NIHL South Cup champions Peterborough Phantoms waiting to take advantage if Swindon were to slip up again, Nell is aware of their threat.
But it’s part of what promises to be a dramatic weekend in the NIHL and Nell believes, overall, the standard has been much better.
He added: “The Phantoms may sense an opportunity with us losing last week. They won the South Cup on Wednesday and they’ll want to carry on their momentum.
“In general, the NIHL has been a lot better than it was last year and you just need to see the North, who have the top three teams on the same number of points going into this weekend.
“Down here, it’s been tough for the last three months with us, Peterborough and Basingstoke all going hard against each other. It’s been a good season and one we want to end in the best possible way.”
