EPL: Self-belief vital for Sheffield Steeldogs | Hull Pirates making plans for future

GREG WOOD believes his Sheffield Steeldogs players need to retain their self-belief in order to enjoy success in the English Premier League play-offs.
Sheffield Steeldogs' player-coach, Greg Wood.Sheffield Steeldogs' player-coach, Greg Wood.
Sheffield Steeldogs' player-coach, Greg Wood.

Ahead of a weekend which sees the South Yorkshire club host second-placed Peterborough Phantoms before a trip to Telford Tigers on Sunday, player-coach Wood is hoping his young charges can prove they have what it takes to live with the best the division has to offer.

Last weekend saw the Steeldogs begin well with a 7-4 victory over Manchester Phoenix. But, in a three-game weekend, they then slipped to a 6-5 defeat at Guildford Flames before losing out 7-4 at home to Swindon Wildcats the following night.

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It leaves Wood’s team almost certain to finish the regular season in seventh spot, given they currently lie seven points adrift of Swindon with only six games remaining.

Hull Pirates' player-coach, Dominic Osman.Hull Pirates' player-coach, Dominic Osman.
Hull Pirates' player-coach, Dominic Osman.

But Wood wants his players to use the next few weeks to fine-tune their game for what he hopes will prove a successful post-season campaign.

“If we play to the level that we can do, the level we have shown many times this season then we can match any team in this league,” said Wood.

“We have to eliminate the individual mistakes and also the breakdowns in our team systems.

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“Over the next few weeks we have to play to our strengths, recognise what we do to make ourselves successful and replicate that.

Hull Pirates' player-coach, Dominic Osman.Hull Pirates' player-coach, Dominic Osman.
Hull Pirates' player-coach, Dominic Osman.

“We have a few weeks now to focus on that to give us the best chance coming into the run in for the play-offs.”

The arrival of Peterborough tonight could serve as a dress rehearsal for the post-season, giving Wood an indication of how close his team are to the title hopeful.

“Peterborough are a very good team, but we have a feeling that we could be playing them in the play-offs - either Peterborough or Telford.

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“It will be a good chance to pit ourselves up against these two teams. We are more than capable of taking the game to them and coming out with positive results.”

Buoyed by their 6-5 win on a shoot-out last Saturday against Swindon, Hull Pirates were further lifted by news of two signings for next season.

This weekend sees Hull head to Basingstoke on Saturday before visiting Guildford 24 hours later.

First up though is tonight’s visit from bottom club Bracknell, the two sides looking to avoid the wooden spoon with the Berkshire club arriving in Hull three points adrift with seven games remaining.

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The club announced on Wednesday that defenceman Jamie Chilcott and forward Nathan Salem are both committed to returning next season..

Chilcott arrived from top-flight Manchester mid-season, while Salem switched from EPL Telford with player-coach Dominic Osman impressed enough to ask them to return.

“When you get quality players in you want to retain them and that was something we discussed when we signed them,” said Osman.

“We talked to them not just about this year but also next season as well. You know they will be valuable players to the organisation and valuable people.

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“These are the type of people you want around the organisation. They are both quiet, but they demand a lot from themselves and the other guys.”

For tonight’s clash, 16-year-old forward Cain Taylor has been called up to face the Bees.

The forward has been playing with the Hull Jets in NIHL N2 this season, picking up 14 points in 14 games for his side, including seven goal.

Osman added: “We have had a couple of juniors training with us all season.

“Cain has worked hard and shown great commitment around our organisation both on and off the ice and he deserves this opportunity.”