DBL Sharks Sheffield: There will be more upsets to come warns coach Lyons

DBL Sharks Sheffield head coach Atiba Lyons feels that the unprecedented competitiveness of the current BBL season has led to several shock results.
Atiba LyonsAtiba Lyons
Atiba Lyons

The Sharks face second-placed ESH Group Eagles Newcastle following defeat to Cheshire Phoenix last time out, a loss which came just 48 hours after a superb 98-90 win over third-placed Glasgow Rocks.

And Lyons said the unpredictability and strength of the league during 2016/17 has led to several surprises - with more on the way.

“Everybody is beating everybody right now,” said Lyons.

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“The one team that’s showing consistency in terms of not dropping too many games is Leicester, but Newcastle have suffered at the hands of some teams in the table that they didn’t in previous years.

“I think that’s just down to the strength of the league now, it’s making this year exciting for everybody.

“The play off places are still really tight and there’s no two or three teams that can just walk it. They have to really play.”

The Sharks were stunned 100-83 by a Cheshire side which had beaten Newcastle in their previous game, and Lyons said it won’t be the last big result from the side currently third bottom of the BBL championship table.

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And, ironically, that has given Lyons’ side cause for belief going into a game against a team which has lost just five league games all season.

“It’s been unchartered for this many teams to be this close racing for the top four or five,” said Lyons. “You want to give yourself every chance of being there for a tie break opportunity at the third game.

“Newcastle are talented, they’re a veteran team, they’ve got guys who are the leading scorers and they’ll pose some problems. They’re going to be tough.”

Lyons also praised the role of the raucous home crowd at the EIS in the win over Glasgow last weekend.

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“It was an amazing atmosphere last week at EIS,” said Lyons.

“I think we had so many away games that everyone really came out and supported us, it was fantastic.

“Newcastle will bring a few fans with them, they’re pretty noisy for a travelling side, so we definitely need our home fans to back us again.”