Surbiton Men’s manager James Lloyd says a new “aggressive” approach to hockey has propelled his team to this weekend’s MHL Premier Division play-off showpiece.
His charges face Canterbury on Saturday in the semi-finals with a place in Sunday’s final, against either Reading or Beeston, and a shot at the MHL Premier Division title and European Hockey League, up for grabs.
A slow start to the season saw Surbiton record just one win in eight games. However, Lloyd’s men – under skipper Ben Tibble and coach Todd Williams – go into this weekend as the form side on the back of a 12-match unbeaten run in the league.
The run included wins over play-off rivals Canterbury, Reading and Beeston.
Lloyd said: “We have changed our style of play to increase our intensity and aggression on the pitch. It requires a high level of fitness and stamina, as well as perseverance from the players.
“It was alien at first. Our style used to be more structured, which was fine.
“But now when we put teams under pressure and they turn over the ball, we will probably score.
“That’s what happened in the games against the top teams. We are the form team at the moment, but this is different from the league.
“There are many permutations about who actually reaches Europe, but we must approach each game on its own merits and concentrate on how we play our game.”
The play-offs will be played in the European format of four quarters of 17 and a half minutes each.
Lloyd said: “The change can be problematic if you’re a team used to playing a certain way at a certain stage.
“If you’re a slow starter, then the first break could coincide with the time you pick up the pace, instead you’ve got to have a two-minute break.
“We’ve been training for this, and everyone is in the same boat.”
Lloyd is sweating on the fitness of Fergus Dunn, who picked up a knee injury in the final game of the season.
Highlights of the play-offs, taking place at Reading Hockey Club, will be on Sky Sports on Wednesday night.
The ladies’ play-offs start on April 20, also at Reading Hockey Club.
For more information on England Hockey, or for tickets, visit http://tickets.englandhockey.co.uk/
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