Shropshire Star

Tom Watkins: Suspension has helped me spot Telford Tigers improvements

Suspended head coach Tom Watkins insists his time on the sidelines has helped him discover things Telford Tigers can improve on.

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Watkins completes a two-game ban that prevents him from playing or coaching with the Moralee Conference clash at Solway this evening.

The Tigers chief has already been forced to sit and watch the NIHL Cup defeat to Swindon Wildcats from the stands as a result of not having a non-playing level two coach at Blackburn last weekend.

Watkins sat among the home supporters but says his new vantage point gave him a different perspective on his table-topping side.

"It's different but it's good to see the team from a different angle," he said. "Up high you can actually evalutate things much easier.

"Obviously I couldn't affect things on the night, but it's given me some things that I know we need to improve on.

"When you play the game and you're down there at ice level it's a different game than when you're sat 50 or 60 feet up in the air.

"We've had a great start in the league and we want to keep that going. We had a close game with Solway at Telford a few weeks ago, so I'm sure it will be another tight match."

Tigers complete their weekend double header with a home Autumn Trophy clash against Hull Pirates on Sunday (6pm).

"We're not doing so well in that but they've been close games," added Watkins. "Games are often won by fine margins."