LEICESTER boss Stewart Dickson insists “it’s not over yet” before a nail-biting play-off semi decider against Sheffield.
The Lions need 47 points to reach another ROWE Motor Oil Premiership Grand Final as they host Sheffield in a huge clash at the Hydroscand Arena on Monday, live on TNT.
The Watling JCB Lions produced a stunning fightback in the closing stages of the first leg of the semi-final at Owlerton last week – and having trailed 43-29 with three races remaining, they brought the deficit down to a far more attainable 46-43.
Dickson said: “I was obviously a lot more relieved at the end of the meeting on Thursday compared to what I was, but I don’t think this tie is finished by any means.
“Sheffield can do what Leicester did and run us really, really close, or turn us over, so my boys need to be on their game.
“I mean all seven, not just four or five. I need all seven on it. There were a couple of boys who were disappointed with their performances on Thursday, but I said to them, ‘you now have a chance to put it right on Monday night, and give us an even better chance of getting through.’
“If we can get seven scorers rather than what we had on Thursday, I think we’ve got a really good chance – but my final words will be, it’s not over yet!”
Sheffield’s last away performance of the regular league campaign saw them win at league leaders Ipswich, who have already booked their place in the Grand Final – and the Tigers have further bolstered their line-up with the inclusion of former World No.3 Maciej Janowski.
Ex-Leicester rider Nick Morris has been ruled out after his crash in Heat 14 on Thursday so Sheffield have moved for the classy Pole, whose average remarkably is under six points after a tough season with Oxford Spires.
LEICESTER: Max Fricke, Luke Becker, Ryan Douglas, Kyle Howarth, Sam Masters, Drew Kemp, Joe Thompson.
SHEFFIELD: Jack Holder, Leon Flint, Chris Holder, Maciej Janowski, Josh Pickering, Anders Rowe, Jye Etheridge.
Words by Holeshot Media.
Images by Taylor Lanning.