Basketball: We’ve lost the fear factor says Fab

Nov 22 2009 by Mark Douglas, Sunday Sun

FAB FLOURNOY admits that the Newcastle Eagles’ have lost their air of invincibility.

The Eagles stepped up their recovery on Friday by avenging their October loss to Plymouth Raiders to move into joint second in the BBL – but it was the way their opponents came at them in the early stages that troubled Flournoy.

Obviously encouraged by their 96-95 overtime win in the South West last month, the Raiders leapt out of the blocks and led by star man Anthony Martin they established a four-point lead in the first quarter.

The Eagles always looked too strong for them and with ‘Prince’ Charles Smith in serene form and Aaron Nielsen posting one of his best displays in a black and white vest they eventually triumphed by a comfortable 101-87 margin.

Missing his fifth game with a broken finger Flournoy was an animated presence on the touchline, berating the officials for some dubious calls and growing frustrated with some of Reggie Jackson’s indecision.

Eagles fans would expect nothing else from the larger-than-life Brooklyner, who is a perfectionist and would find fault in even the most straightforward of victories.

But he is right to say that their BBL rivals sense a vulnerability in his side which only a run of wins will eradicate.

“It was important to beat Plymouth. I felt like they played with confidence – they played like they knew they could beat us,” he said.

“We had to work hard for the victory and the way they started was obviously a hangover from what happened when we went to Plymouth. There was no fear from them.