Phoenix’s Lloyd hopeful on Gumbs but “time will tell”

Cheshire Phoenix head coach, Matthew Lloyd, today confirmed that despite positive signs of recover, the sight of Jerome Gumbs on court for this weekend, is still in the balance.

Whilst forward Gumbs, who this season has provided an average of 17.5 points per game since he joined the team, was kitted up on Sunday night for Cheshire’s 90-121 loss against Worcester Wolves, he did not make an appearance, and although he has taken part in training all week, it is the knock-on effects of his illness that are still making him a doubt.

“Jerome has been training all week,” confirmed Lloyd, “so the signs are positive, however he is his own person and he knows his body best. He lost a lot of weight throughout his illness so that is the thing that is troubling him at the moment.”

It is not to say he will be out completely, but Lloyd was not able to give a firm date for his return: “He should make some reappearance before the end of the season how much that will be only time will tell.”

It has been a tough month for Cheshire Phoenix to say the very least.

In just over three weeks, they have gone from beating the joint top team (at the time) of the BBL Championship, to going on a six game losing streak, which included being knocked out, handsomely, of the BBL Trophy at the semi-final stage by the eventual winners.

They have suffered with shortness in their bench, due to circumstances beyond their control with that of Gumbs’ illness and captain Chez Marks’ return home for personal reasons.

That return by Marks was a mixed affair, as he continued his great scoring run, beating out his average ppg stat, with 25 points against Worcester, but his three-point numbers were way off target, however Worcester more than made up for that last weekend.

The talismanic Marks knew it was always going to be a battle last week: “Worcester are a big side and big rebounding team, it was difficult with their size to ours, and our numbers too.

“It wasn’t my best game, I’m my own worst critic, especially when I come off court and analyse everything. It was hard, being a man down, and I’ve only been back a week, but we’ve got to get our heads down, look at the next game this Friday and try to make the play-offs.

Both captain and coach need to bring their side together to drive them on forward from the defeat against Wolves and try to figure out a way of overcoming the Sheffield Sharks, the side who put them to the sword in the Trophy.

“BJ Holmes is a pure point guard, and a scoring point guard as well, so we’ve got a lot to do and need to pressure him and try to contend with him. Mike Tuck is tough; Mike’s always been a tough player in this league. He’s solid, a nice touch and can shoot. Sheffield are solid in every position, so it’s going to be a real test,” believes Marks.

For Coach Lloyd though, he knows stepping into Yorkshire this season has meant a date with disaster, but if his side can be 100% and ready, it could break his team’s dire run: “I think it will be a tough game, Sheffield have improved massively from the start of the season and we have always had troubles against them in the past. I think a positive for us is that we haven’t ever played at full strength this season so if Jerome does play and we are at full strength and we play together like we did against Newcastle and Leicester we have a good chance, but a lot of things need to come into place for that to happen.”

A loss will leave Cheshire Phoenix floundering, as the Sharks will claim the head-to-head, but a victory could help towards a final regular season game-day decider at the Northgate Arena, if other results go in Phoenix favour.

On Sunday, Cheshire will also host Surrey Heat, a side they came mightily close to beating without the services of Gumbs and Marks less than a fortnight ago.

Since then, they too sprung an upset at Sport Central against Newcastle Eagles as Phoenix did, and the more settled in Travis Holmes has become, the more dangerous they could be.

Marks thinks it will be a mouth-watering contest considering both sides are fighting it out for positions in the league: “I think it’ll be great! They are tight for third place, but they have to come to the Northgate and we will always try to give you a run for your money, whoever you are, even when we are down on numbers as we did away, but with myself and Jerome back it will be a test for them.”

The close proximity of this head-to-head series, where Cheshire will visit Surrey again the following Friday, could mean matters swing one way or the other very quickly, and very easily, and Coach Lloyd is well aware of those facts: “It has its positives and negatives playing over a short period. We get to do the travelling in a short space of time and players remember more about them rather than having to remind them fully of what is expected.”

Both key figures at Cheshire Phoenix are urging supporters to come along and get behind their efforts for just another few weeks, where a shock win could catapult them on to a run of form into the play-offs.

“We always need our fans,” commented captain Marks, “it’s one of the main things we are doing this for now being a community-interest club, and they are a wonderful support to us on and off court. Last week was a bit different with Mother’s Day, which is understandable, but hopefully everyone turns out for us again this weekend.”

Coach Lloyd reiterated that message, saying: “The fans have been great all year for us and we expected a low crowd on Sunday due to Mother’s Day, however they are important to the guys and the more they get behind us the better it feels.”

• Cheshire Phoenix face Surrey Heat at home at the Northgate Arena, on Sunday 17th March, tip-off at 5:30pm. Adults – £10, concessions £6. Visit cheshirephoenix.co.uk