8:22pm Thursday 21st January 2010
By Nigel McFarlane
MANCHESTER Phoenix player-coach Tony Hand is looking for a significant improvement in fortunes as his side look to overturn a poor run of form.
Phoenix have only won four of their last 11 outings and are beginning to ship goals for fun.
The 9-2 and 8-7 reverses to Guildford last weekend have seen then slip to fourth in the English Premier League – six points behind leaders Milton Keynes Lightning.
It's not good enough for a side predicted to sweep all before them this season and Hand wants more.
“For us to be successful, we need every player to perform to the best of his ability every night,” Hand said. “We were simply not good enough on Saturday. They have the depth in their roster that we don't have, their third line alone was far too good and powerful for our third line.
“Too many players were below par and we simply cannot afford that.”
Phoenix face the Lightning tomorrow (Saturday 7pm) before Swindon visit the Ice Dome a day later (5.30pm).
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/trade_directory/