Toughest EPL yet

Patrick Corlett • Published 6 Nov 2009 13:00 0 Comments

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Ice hockey

SLOUGH Jets head coach Pete Russell is predicting a very tight English Premier League as sides continue to take points off each other.

Big spending Guildford Flames and high flying Milton Keynes Lightning have been struggling of late as the table bunches up with a number of sides, including the Jets, well in the mix at the top.

"It's going to be exciting, Basingstoke, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Guildford are all strong and I think we are strong as well," commented Russell. "Sheffield with the group of players they have are quality and Peterborough are really good going forwards.

"I think the weekend proves what this league is like. Guildford lose to Peterborough, Sheffield win at Slough and Bracknell beat Milton Keynes. There are no mugs in the league.

"I think it is going to be very tight, there's some really good players in the league this year.

"Everybody is beating everybody, it shows you have to be at the top of your game or you will get beaten."

The Jets had been soaring following a string of impressive results which has seen them go third but that came to an end on Saturday as the Sheffield Scimitars beat them 7-3 at the Hangar. Although the head coach believes it is too early to be looking at the league.

Russell said: "We've taken six points out of our last eight so we are doing alright. Normally someone makes a run but the league is tight and we are keeping up there. We lost at the weekend (to Sheffield) but still moved up two places.

"The league doesn't mean much at the moment, look at Basingstoke - they have a quality and experienced side but are struggling at the moment as are Guildford who have the biggest budget in the league.

"The plan for us is to keep going and put a run together.

"I think everybody has underestimated the league and the strength of all the teams but I haven't.

"I've coached a lot of the guys at Sheffield in the national team and know they are a quality young side, we know Peterborough are a very strong hockey team but they are at the wrong end of the table, it shows how far you can come.

"We are just taking things in segments, looking for points from sections of the season and we will see where that takes us.

"My goal at the start of the season was to be at Coventry (in the end of season play-offs). There will be ups and downs but we will see what happens.

"Right now we seem to be doing okay but we are a new team."

Slough host leaders Milton Keynes Lightning on Saturday who will be out for revenge following an impressive 8-2 victory by the Jets the last time the two sides clashed. Then on Sunday Russell's troops travel to Sheffield.

This article appeared in Royal Borough Observer 06 Nov 09

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