James looking for reaction after ‘disappointing’ weekend

Paul James has called for his side to start being more clinical in seeing-out games in the British Basketball League after this weekends close encounter with bottom-placed Surrey United, and their Trophy exit at the hands of the Leicester Riders.

Despite being on a run of seven straight league wins, James has called for his side to be more aggressive in securing results in games after his side have won by five points or less in their previous six games, three of which have come against sides in the bottom half of the league table.

Wolves were pushed all the way by a spirited Surrey United side last Friday, but bagged a 71-70 win to ensure they secured a win that maintains their pursuit of the Newcastle Eagles in top spot as the hunt for the BBL title continues.

James said: “We’ve been living on that knife-edge of winning and losing and we’ve been fortunate to be winning those close games. Sooner or later, that’s going to come back and haunt us if we don’t turn that around quickly.

“It was a very disappointing weekend. I feel that our performance against Surrey was lacklustre, it was poor and we played at their level. There no intensity and no energy. Given where they are and where we are, I’m disappointed by how we didn’t assert ourselves to make it an easier game than it actually was. The next day we went to Leicester and played marginally better, but unfortunately we’re now out of the Trophy now which is tough to take”, he added.

The Wolves head coach also sent out a warning to his squad that there would be no hiding place for players as they host the Bristol Flyers on Friday before they travel to the Cheshire Phoenix on Sunday.

“I think we need to play with a bit more energy and a bit more purpose. That’s not everybody, I think there are some people who are really working hard and trying hard, but there are one or two guys who are maybe riding off the back of that and are kind of hiding a little bit and they need to step up and do what they’re here to do.

“Once that happens, we become a different team but right now we’ve got one or two players who aren’t performing to the best of their ability and that’s hurting the team”, James