BASINGSTOKE Bison player/coach Doug Sheppard says his side must develop more of a killer instinct after their shock defeat at the hands of basement side Bracknell Bees.

The Herd led 2-0 and 3-1 in Bracknell on Sunday but allowed the home side back into the game, eventually losing to a shorthanded goal 10 seconds from time.

“We need to have more of a killer instinct and make sure that we finish games off once we get ourselves into a good position,” Sheppard said. “We need to make sure we stay focused and finish the task in hand.

“There was a common theme through both games last weekend. We had chances to finish both teams off but just didn’t take them. We got away with it against Sheffield but were punished by Bracknell.”

Sheppard will be hoping that his side don’t make the same mistake again this weekend. They host Manchester Phoenix on Saturday, before travelling to Sheffield Steeldogs the following day.

“Manchester have had a shaky start to the season, so they will come into the game desperate to beat us,” Sheppard said. “There is no doubt in my mind that they will be in contention this season. They are going to start winning a lot of games.”

“I think we will see a different Sheffield side at home. We did not see the best of them last week and I am expecting them to be more hungry and even more physical, so we will need to be ready for a battle.”

The Herd are likely to be without Ciaran Long, who is set to have scans on a troublesome injury this week, but Aaron Connolly will return after missing last weekend through suspension.

Three Bison players, Matt Selby, Declan Balmer and Cameron Wynn, have been named in the Great Britain Under-20 squad for December’s World Championship Division 2A competition in Estonia.