EPL Tigers face Flames and Steeldogs this weekend

Tom Watkins has warned there is more to come from his resurgent Telford Tigers squad, as they bid to snatch third place in the EPL standings.

The reigning champions travel to face Guildford Flames on Saturday evening, before the visit of Sheffield Steeldogs to Telford Ice Rink on Sunday (6pm).

The right sequence of results could see the Tigers leapfrog Milton Keynes into third – with second also a possibility, should the Lightning beat Peterborough.

But with a third of the season still to run, Tigers chief Watkins has called on his fringe players to fill the gaps in his injury-ravaged squad.

He said: “We have been carrying knocks all season, and haven’t had a full line-up in one game, but that is the way it happens sometimes.

“It is up to other guys to step up into those roles and positions, and fulfill expectations. Players come to me in the summer and want X ,Y and Z, well now it the time for them to prove it.

“A reason why we’re in this position is that we haven’t had that secondary scoring, or enough of it. When we were struggling in October, it was really only the first line making contributions.

“I’ve played on championship teams in Coventry where the top two lines would cancel each other out. Then it would be the third line that wins you hockey games.”

Adam Taylor was a stand-out performer in the midweek win over Hull, adding two goals, while Blaho Novak has been a consistent scorer in recent games.

Watkins added: “The depth players will have big roles this weekend and they’ll be asked to contribute. Adam is an experienced guy and it was good to see him get on the scoresheet against Hull.

“I think he can add a little bit more offence to his game, but Tayls is honest. He’s a good kid who works hard and for his size, does a great job.

“It’s not just Adam who has to chip in. Blaho has been playing really well and it’s good to see him get rewarded for his work ethic.”

The last time Telford played Guildford was in December, losing 7-2 to the Flames at home – but they have since gone on to win eight games in a row.

“We went into that game playing with confidence, but had a bad night at the office,” Watkins said.

“Sometimes those things keep you honest and it has kept us honest. Since then we have upped our game and played with more discipline, making it harder for teams to play against us.”

Sunday’s visit of Sheffield, meanwhile, is a chance for the Telford coach to extend a run that has seen his side lose just once at home since the start of October.

He said: “It is always important to win at home and the size of our pad makes it tougher for visiting teams. It keeps the game quicker and more intense.