It’s top v bottom at the Vertu Arena on Sunday evening as Head Coach Chloe Gaynor guides her side into battle against Cardiff Met Archers. The Eagles women have three wins and no loses so far in Championship play whilst the Archers have the opposite record with no wins in three.

But as Gaynor was at pains to say they cannot take the Archers lightly and must ensure that they are ready to show why they have gone unbeaten in the SLB so far this season.

“Absolutely must show them respect. It’s a good opportunity for us to build and set standards for ourselves with regards to playing identity.”

Once again the Eagles look as if they may well be short-handed for the match-up. Last time out they were without Jada Dapaa, Sarah Wells, Natalie Cernohorska and Gaynor herself in a playing capacity. But they still came away from Nottingham Wildcats with an impressive 85-56 road win.

It has since been confirmed that Cernohorska has been unfortunately diagnosed with an ACL injury. It means that she will be out for the rest of the campaign just as she was starting to establish her spot on the roster. Gaynor admitted it was a blow but is confident that the team can still make progress.

“Losing Nat for the season is tough but the team have done a good job of rallying around her and are very much continuing to commit to getting better every day despite the injury challenges we have faced over the last month.”

That last month has garnered those said three impressive wins in the league and right at the front of that effort has been powerful USA forward Andrea Daley who has been nothing short of sensational. Her part in the victory at Nottingham was 26 points and 10 rebounds, another double-double.

That effort combined with double-doubles in the previous two Championship wins over Essex and London games gave Daley averages of 24.3 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals per games. Statistics that saw Daley being crowned WSLB Player of the Month for November.

The American will be crucial to the Eagles cause going forward and in Sunday’s game which Gaynor assessed and sent a message to all as to what her side need to do to get another vital win.

“The most important thing for us heading into the game is to be disciplined and focus on a possession at a time. As we continue to build, we want to be putting together more consistent performances across 40 minutes and that’s what this game is about, building on that.”

A win and Newcastle will stay top of the SLB table with four wins from four games. It’s a really big incentive as they prepare to show their ability in front of their loyal fanbase at the Vertu Arena. The game on Sunday evening tipping off at 17:30pm.