Faltering Sheffield Eagles eye climb up the table

A four point gap has developed between sixth placed Halifax and the Eagles in seventh, whilst Mark Aston’s strugglers have now fallen five points behind the top four. A defeat tonight against Dewsbury Rams could see Aston’s side start looking over their shoulder, but a victory could propel them back within touching distance of the Championship elite.

Aston has acknowledged his team are still in a building process. “We knew it wouldn’t happen overnight, it is going to take time to get these kids adapted” he said. “Success just doesn’t come quickly. I am a big believer in continuity and that consistency will long term bring you success. If we have got the right people here, then we need to keep them in the team. If some have to go, then they have to go and we will have to move on. We did that 16 years ago, something similar after 2006 when we were promoted and at this time we are having to do it again. Eventually we will get to where we want to get to.

“When that will happen, I don’t know, but we will keeping building and we will work our socks off to get to where we want to.”

Aston’s side have been out of sorts in recent weeks, but they face a Rams side who are also enduring an equally difficult run. Their only victory in their last seven Championship outings was against the Eagles, and both sides are level on eight points coming into tonight’s game.

At the start of the week Aston confirmed that he was close to adding to his squad, but it appears the Eagles will be going into tonight’s encounter with the same group that were defeated against London Broncos last Friday.

Duo Garry Lo and Duane Straugheir look set to remain on the sidelines through injury.

Kick off at Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park is at 7.45pm.