It's the big two for Wildcats (From Swindon Advertiser)

It's the big two for Wildcats

8:20am Friday 26th February 2010 in

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SWINDON Wildcats player-coach Ryan Aldridge has billed this weekend’s English Premier League double-header as his side’s two most important games of the season.

Cats face Sheffield Scimitars at home on Saturday and then travel to rock bottom Romford Raiders on Sunday.

And with the Link Centre side clinging onto hopes of securing the final play-off spot, back to back victories are a near-necessity.

“There is no doubt about it, we have to get four points this weekend,” said Aldridge.

“They are our two biggest games of the season.

“But we know that there are no easy points in this league and we will have to back to our best.”

After seemingly finding form in recent weeks, Swindon returned to their old habits in last Sunday’s 6-3 away defeat to Bracknell Bees.

Aldridge conceded he was disappointed with the performance on the road, and believed attitude was the primary factor.

“The confidence that we had up until last week seemed to go against Bracknell.

“We turned back into our old selves and we have to pull through that.

“The players had a talking to on Tuesday as one or two of them did not have the focus we need.

“It’s a do or die game, and we have to be at our best.”

Slovakian forward Jozef Kohut could return to the Cats matchday squad after missing the last outing.

Aldridge, who believes the hitman has an 85 per cent chance of making the starting line-up, claimed his participation would revitalise Wildcats.

“When Joe’s playing there’s always a chance of a goal,” said the player-coach.

“He can make something happen out of nothing, and he is always good for grabbing that extra goal a game.”

Cats entertain Sheffield tomorrow, and the two sides have been practically inseparable over the course of the season.

Whilst the visitors from Yorkshire boast an abundance of youthful exuberance, it is the experienced heads of the home side which Aldridge believes will make the telling difference on the day.

“Sheffield are very organised, they have a lot of young guys who work very hard,” he said.

“We have older guys and we just have to match their intensity.

“Our skill levels are definitely better, it’s just a case of putting in the effort.”

Swindon’s second match of the weekend involves a trip to the small rink of lowly Romford.

The Essex club have endured a miserable season so far, and Aldridge has no intention of allowing his hosts any respite.

“They are in bad shape, and that is always good for us,” he said, “(Jon) Sitko (Romford’s former Cats’ defenceman) has been out for a while, and if he doesn’t play that’s another big boost for us as he puts himself around a bit on a small rink.

“It is definitely a game that we need to win.”