Aliu Column: Jets game key to play-off chase

Another weekend has passed, and losing two games is a huge blow for us as a team and our play-off hopes.

On Friday, we travelled to Sheffield and were beaten 99-82 and we just couldn’t do enough against Milton Keynes on Sunday. Even splitting the weekend and getting one win would have put us in a good position, but it looks like being a tough, uphill battle for us to make the play-offs.

But me and the team are not going to give on making it, and we go to Cheshire on Sunday looking for that next win.

It’ll be a tough test. It’s always tough to play at Northgate as they have a great crowd, which makes it difficult. We need that win big time, not just for our play-off hopes, but for a boost of confidence going in to the rest of the season. Of course, if we can beat Cheshire, it puts us as a team in a good place.

We had a brilliant game against the Jets earlier in the season when they came to Knowsley. We were well down in the second half, but managed to come back and win 102-97 after overtime. The thing that sticks out with me most from that game is the atmosphere and the noise. It was a great game to be a part of, and if Sunday’s game is anything like that, the fans will be in for a treat.

We’ve had a pretty young team this season, but I think Devan (Bailey) and Myles (Hesson) have stepped up big for us. They have to take on a big role for us this season which was tough for them to do, but I think they have done a great job so far.

At the top end of the table, it looks like Newcastle will be picking up the league title. I don’t think anyone can catch them now. They have been solid and consistent all year, with their whole team contributing to their success. They have good individual players but they have a great team, and that’s what it takes to win.