Severn Stars head coach Jo Trip has voiced hope that her side have learned some lessons after a tough couple of games.
Confidence and strategy are expected to underpin their approach for the upcoming home game against London Pulse following a two-game slide away from home in defeats to Super Netball League defending champions Loughborough Lightning and Manchester Thunders.
Trip said: "After a tough couple of weeks playing up against the two top teams in the league, this week is no easier when it comes to playing third in the table, London Pulse.
<hr>
Read more: Malvern Mavericks reach league final after Worcester Bears win
<hr>
"This is a huge third versus fourth game, with both teams continuing to vie for top four positions means this game holds a lot of importance as does every game.
"I want to see us stick to task and put out a performance we know we are capable of.”
Looking back on the recent defeat to Thunder (46-61), Trip called for a cohesive team focus on the task at hand.
"Putting the (Thunder) game behind us and focusing on Pulse has been our plan this week," she said.
"We know we are better than what we put out there and are keen to show that we have learned some lessons from the top of the table clashes, and we want to see those lessons put to use against London Pulse."
In terms of performance tuning for the impending match, Trip said: "The things we have been working on this week include our confidence to maintain possession for longer and find the gaps to attack through their box defence."
The match review of the Thunder game offered some learning opportunities.
"We had a very strong start against Thunder, which we needed to take better advantage of," Trip reflected.
"We turned ball, but our decision-making on the ball was poor.
"We went four goals up, but were one down by the end of the quarter due to frustrating basic errors from our side.
"This frustration continued into the second quarter and throughout the game as we gave away 18 unforced errors which is not good enough at this level in any game, let alone when competing against the top of the table team.”
The team is expected to raise its game and cut down on unforced errors when it meets Pulse at the University of Worcester arena at 7.30pm tonight (April 26).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here