HEAD coach Paul James says he will have some decisions to make on his Worcester Wolves squad if they don’t demonstrate a desire to win.

The Wolves chief has been critical of his players in the wake of three straight British Basketball League defeats against Sheffield Sharks, Manchester Giants and Newcastle Eagles.

Few would have seen such a sequence coming after Worcester swept all before them in winning eight on the spin to climb to third in the table.

But, with Plymouth Raiders visiting the University of Worcester tonight (7.30) in the first of Wolves’ remaining four fixtures before the play-offs, James is demanding an improvement.

He already has one eye on next season in terms of recruitment and wants players to show him they are worthy of new deals.

“It’s a crucial time for the club and the players if they want to come back next year,” he said.

James added: “I want players who will play for the whole season and not six of the nine months. It’s not necessarily how you start but how you finish.”

Tonight’s game is the first of two meetings between the teams in the final fortnight of the regular season.

Third-placed Raiders hold a 1-0 lead in the head-to-head series having won 87-65 at Plymouth Pavilions in December, although Wolves triumphed 90-77 in the BBL Trophy later that month.

n For reports of Wolves’ weekend double header, see Monday’s Worcester News.