Steeldogs look to increase Phoenix’s woes

Apart from leaders Slough Jets, Andre Payette’s third-placed team have already registered impressive wins against the other top five teams, but would love nothing more than to heap further misery on a Manchester side languishing in sixth as they attempt to defend their regular season title.

Tony Hand’s side have lost four of their last five games and will arrive in South Yorkshire looking to overhaul the Steeldogs, who are one point ahead of them in the standings with only four points separating the top six.

Manchester earned bragging rights with an 8-5 aggregate win in the traditional War of the Roses pre-season clash between the two teams, continuing a long run of woe for Sheffield against their closest rivals.

Greg Wood, Pavel Gomeniuk and Ben Morgan all made the short trip across the Pennines in the summer to join Payette in Sheffield, adding further spice to the clash, with Payette himself also a former Phoenix favourite. Sheffield-born Ryan Johnson continued his yo-yo existence between the two clubs by returning to Manchester in the close season.

“Manchester do seem to be our Nemesis,” said Payette. “But after the performances and results we have had recently we’re really hoping our time has come to take some points off them.

“It’s a huge game for us and another tough challenge against one of the top teams in this league.”

The encounter has been switched to a 1pm face-off to enable people attending the Brittany Spears concert at the Motorpoint Arena in the evening and the usual After Dark Bonfire Night activities nearby access to the Ice Sheffield car park.

The Steeldogs follow-up Saturday’s clash with Manchester with a trip to Telford Tigers on Sunday (5.30pm).

Tickets for Steeldogs v Phoenix are available at the following prices: £9 adults, £6.50 concessions, Children £3.50 (under-8s free), Family £20.