JIM Pennycook is looking for a "change of tactics" to give struggling Blackburn Hawks a much-needed lift.

The player-coach knows his under pressure players will need all their mental and physical resources this weekend as they try and stop the rot.

Success in the Northern Premier League is proving more difficult than expected.

But Pennycook is quietly confident ahead of tonight's long-haul trek to Belfast to tackle Castlereagh Knights (face-off 2pm)...and again for the arduous journey home in time for face-off with Paisley at the Arena tomorrow (6pm).

Not the easiest of schedules for a team who desperately need to find form. Recent game have blown holes in the promises made pre-season, and Pennycook will need to pull some trickts out of the hat to make the Hawks fly this weekend.

"We've changed elements around in training this week. We've changed our lines and tactics and I'm very confident of an improvement this weekend," he said.

Hawks will also be relying on the skill of their new import Johnny Leijding to pull them through as they try to put back together the pieces of a second that started off so promisingly. Their latest signing showed restrained promise in their home clash with Whitley Warriors last Sunday...one of the few positive aspects in an abysmal game for Hawks.

"Johnny came in for a bit of stick on Sunday, but I believe he'll come through for us and will turn into a valuable asset. He's a strong player with natural ability and an aggressive temperament...I don't think it'll take him long to toughen up and adjust to the British style of playing," says manager Mike Cockayne.

It's to be hoped so, because Hawks could really do with a win. Recent displays on the ice, especially at home, have been disappointing...and not least with the players.

"The boys were very disappointed with the play last weekend," says Pennycook.

"But that's only spurred them on for this weekend's games. I'm very confident that we'll do well.

"We have a bigger squad now, so we can afford to play different players if some aren't performing on the ice. That's a much better situation as it means everyone now has to compete to get in the team."

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