Exciting times to belongto Phantoms says Pick

The city team entered the final third of the English Premier League season with an honours treble still a possibility.

They’re only five points off the top of the standings with games in hand on the two teams above them, they’re safely through to the EPL Cup final and they’re already virtually assured of their play-off spot.

It all adds up to a mouth-watering conclusion to a fine campaign for Slava Koulikov’s men.

Pick said: “Our position excites me going into the final third of the season.

“We’ve got a cup final to look forward to and we are in a good place in the league.

“It is all about staying on an even keel. That is something we pride ourselves on doing and it has attributed to our success in the past year.

“We’re trying not to talk about the league table too much, but we know where we are and we want what we can achieve this season.

“The league is the strongest I have known it, but anything can happen from here.

“The title is there for the taking for any team who can put a good run of results together.

“I believe we can do it as I’m confident in our ability as a team.

“We are built for the big games and that’s where we tend to play our best hockey.”

Phantoms have responded superbly to a post-Christmas nosedive by returning to form with a bang in recent days.

They endured a run of six defeats in seven league games before stringing together a hat-trick of wins which sandwiched their progress into the EPL Cup final.

Pick added: “It was tough after Christmas as we went through a rocky patch.

“Hockey is a game of momentum and we were on a downward shift for a while, but we have battled back just lately.

“We never lost belief as we all know what we’re capable of producing and winning the cup semi-final was a massive moment in our season as it gave the boys confidence again.

“We produced the complete performance in the second leg against MK last week and we followed it up with two important league wins last weekend.

“Now it is all about picking up results consistently for the rest of the season.”

Pick is also pleased with his personal progression during the current campaign.

Improved form has resulted in increased responsibility during the 22 year-old’s third full season in Phantoms colours.

He has even added a couple of goals along the way with blasts from the blue line.

“I feel like I’ve played well this season,” Pick continued.

“I’ve been in the league for a few years now and getting games night in, night out is important because improvement comes with experience.”