Newcastle Eagles approach the last weekend of the regular season knowing that they have qualified for the end of season playoffs. What they do not know as yet and will not know until after the weekend is done and dusted is where they will finish or who they will play.

They could finish as high as fifth in the standings or stay in their current eighth position. Sixth and seventh also being possible. What is known is that if they win their last two games it would give them some momentum going into the play-offs and perhaps a more winnable tie.

The Eagles go to Bristol on Sunday afternoon to finish the regular season. But before that they have the visit of the resurgent Leicester Riders to the Vertu Arena on Friday night to take care of. Head Coach Marc Steutel assessed the mood in his camp as they prepared for the Riders game.

“We’ve been preparing as always with reviewing our performance and looking forward to as to what we need to do to be successful. Leicester have had two really important wins for them. So, we understand that we’ve got our hands full to try and be the best version of us.”

The two results Steutel was referring to was Leicester beating Sheffield Sharks in Sheffield on Sunday and then repeating the win at home against the same opposition on Tuesday night. Steutel is well aware of the dangers Riders present.

“Flynn Boardman-Raffet is on a real hot streak at the moment. We have to make sure that we try to be physically mentally and tactically prepared for him. Kedrian Johnson, we know really well and obviously Travis Evee is playing another role.”

“I think someone like Aaron Menzies impacting the game and Victor Ndoukou show they are a really talented team that have found a way to be successful and they’ve been really impressive over this stretch of the season.”

Steutel is quite clear though with the vision of how his side can combat the Leicester threat.

“Our main focus is to do the best that we can to limit their key personnel try and find ways to be disruptive slow them down and finish plays.”

“As well as hopefully finding ways to execute and see what we can do to make sure that number one we get the win which is the most important and give our loyal dedicated fans a really good last regular season game at home.”

“That will hopefully put us in a position where Sunday’s game is a meaningful one with that tough road trip to Bristol.”

Turning back to Leicester for Friday’s game Steutel concluded his thoughts on what the keys to the game are.

“Everything’s about their personnel and as I said trying to find ways to be disruptive and finishing plays. To get stops when we need to and use that defensive assertiveness to try and make sure we execute on the offensive end.”

Simple straightforward messages from the Head Coach and one’s that he and those ‘loyal dedicated’ fans will be hoping the players can follow to kick-start their final regular season games before the play-offs commence next weekend.

The Friday night tip-off against Riders is at 7:30pm and tickets are still available of the box office.