MICK Cook has warned his players to concentrate on getting their performance right tomorrow rather than going gung-ho for a plethora of points.
York City Knights go into tomorrow's clash with bottom-club Blackpool level on points at the top of the LHF National League Two table but behind Swinton Lions on points-difference.
That points-difference could end up proving crucial in an 18-game season and fans may see tomorrow's encounter as a chance to enhance the points-for tally. But Cook has warned against taking victory for granted and reckons the Knights' main aim is to find top form again.
"We're just looking to get back on track with some of our performances," he said. "We've dipped a bit in recent weeks and need to get back up there.
"The staff know there's more to come from this side. We've shown what we can do and we want to get back that fluency.
"We've looked quite sharp in training this week and there's no reason to think we're not on the road back."
The Knights memorably scored 208 points in four games in April but, following their Challenge Cup defeat at St Helens, recent performances have seen them scrape victories over lowly Gateshead and mid-table Hunslet.
"Getting points from games when we've not played well is a positive," mused Cook.
"But we're a threat to anybody in this division if we play to our potential. We want to get back to that and be happy as a unit."
Cook, however, reckons the Panthers will be no pushovers. "They put up quite a strong performance last time out against Workington (losing 38-26), who are one of the title contenders, and it will be tough for us," he said.
"I imagine they'll be looking at our tapes and seeing we haven't been playing to potential and look for the two points. It will be a tough challenge.
"The teams we're playing are up for these games. When you're near the top, it's a cup final for everybody. It will be a dogfight for us from here on in.
"It's important how we approach every game. We need to make sure mentally that we go into games knowing they will be tough even if we play to our potential."
Tomorrow's squads
Knights (probable): Blaymire, Fox, Potter, Law, Lingard, P Thorman, Levy, Sullivan, Jackson, Smith, Ramsden, Kirke, Paterson. Subs: Elston, Ibbetson, Bates, Sozi.
Blackpool (possible): Godbee, Johnstone, Grundy, Bretherton, Kilgannon, Swann, Gambles, Rowley, Rowlands, Redford, Ratcliffe, G Smith, Chamberlain. Subs from: Ormesher, Ramsdale, Roden, Jones, McGovern, Martin.
Referee: Paul Carr (Castleford).
Kick-off: 5.30pm.
Updated: 10:49 Friday, June 03, 2005
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