Manchester Giants guard Callum Jones says his young teammates are quickly learning how tough life can be in the BBL but they can get through their current mire.
Giants travel to Surrey Scorchers on Friday before hosting Glasgow Rocks on Sunday, hoping to end a run of just one win in 13 games.
Nevertheless Jones believes only a few small changes need to be made to enable the Giants to find winning form.
“For a lot of the younger, less experienced players this is their first experience of the BBL,” the guard said.
“So they maybe didn’t know what to expect and how thick and fast the games come.
“That said, performances haven’t been terrible, we just need a few more people with a ‘win-at-all’ costs mentality to get us over the hump.”
The Giants last game ended in a 76-66 defeat to high flying Leicester Riders, but Yorick Williams will be hopeful of improvement over the Christmas period.
Friday’s game against the Scorchers looks set to be a tight affair, as the previous two meetings between these sides have been decided by a solitary point.
The last of these came in October this year, in which Surrey defeat the Giants 84-83 at Surrey Sports Park, meaning Yorick Williams will have revenge firmly on his mind.
It was October this year which also featured the last clash between the Rocks and the Manchester side, which Glasgow won 81-71.
Giants will have to overcome a poor record against the Scottish side if they are to find victory at the Lucozade Trafford Sportsdome on Sunday, having lost the last six meetings between the teams.
Jones is aware that both teams possess different talents to trouble the Giants, but remains focused on gaining positive results.
“Surrey have a lot of talent and a really good coach in Creon [Raftopoulos], but they have had a couple injuries and personnel changes so maybe they haven’t starting clicking just yet,” the Giants star said.
“Glasgow have a talented team we will just look to play up-tempo and put a lot of points on the board at home.
“We need to control the tempo against them, limit mistakes and not let their defensive pressure take us out of our offences.”
Image courtesy of Manchester Giants via YouTube, with thanks.
