JOSH Pickering insists Sheffield won't go down without a fight as they look to produce a big turnaround in Thursday's (October 5, 7.30) Sports Insure Premiership Grand Final decider at Owlerton.
The Tru Plant Tigers trail by 18 points to Ipswich after losing Tuesday's first leg 54-36 in Suffolk on a night where difficult track conditions played into the hosts' hands.
Whilst many outsiders reckon the Witches have one hand on the trophy, there is a real sense of determination coming out of the Sheffield side of the pits.
And whilst acknowledging the size of the challenge ahead of them, Pickering says they can take plenty from recent home performances to give them reason to believe they can pull of the aggregate victory which would see them claim the Club's first ever top-flight league trophy.
“The way I look at it, they’ve rolled us at their place but there’s no reason why we can’t do that to them at home," he said.
“Our boys that we’ve got here this year, especially with Robert (Lambert) coming in, he brings a big boost, we’ve got Bomber (Chris Harris) in, myself and Chris (Holder) are in the middle and we’ve got capable second strings and reserves as well so it’s not impossible.
“What will be will be but we’re not going to go down without a fight.
“In my opinion, I honestly think that in the first half a dozen heats at Sheffield we can pull it back and I think it’s going to be very close.
“In our team, there were riders who didn’t score at Ipswich what they definitely will at Sheffield.
“I’m well up for it, we’re all well up for it and we cannot wait for the second leg.”
Sheffield Speedway would like to remind supporters that season tickets are NOT valid for the decider at Owlerton on Thursday.
Children aged 17 and under will be admitted for just £1 with adult admission set at £22 while it’s £20 for concessions.
There will also be a special souvenir Grand Final programme available to purchase trackside for just £4, including reaction from Tuesday’s first leg at Foxhall.
SHEFFIELD: Robert Lambert, Kyle Howarth, Chris Holder, Josh Pickering, Chris Harris, Jye Etheridge, Jason Edwards. IPSWICH: Emil Sayfutdinov, Erik Riss, Danny King, Keynan Rew, Jason Doyle, Danyon Hume, Joe Thompson.
