Whipping boys give Eaton cause for concern

10:42am Friday 28th March 2008

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In-form Cougars are wary of slipping up on Sunday despite facing a side that has incredibly lost 45 successive matches.

Blackpool Panthers haven't won a fixture of any kind - league or cup - since beating Gateshead Thunder back in July 2006.

Conversely, Keighley head to the coast full of confidence looking to maintain a 100 per cent start to the National League Two season with a fourth successive victory.

But boss Barry Eaton has warned about complacency against hosts who are increasingly looking like they will end that miserable run.

"It's going to be tough," he said. "Every week Blackpool are going to be saying this is their week.

"They are at home, which makes it harder, and I've seen some of their performances this season.

"They have improved vastly and Blackpool's first win will come sooner rather than later.

"We have to make sure it's not Sunday.

"I know their boss Martin Crompton well as he was assistant coach when I played at Widnes.

"He has brought in some decent players and it is beginning to show."

Blackpool gave National League One big-hitters Widnes and Leigh a run for their money in the Northern Rail Cup.

The capture of former Super League winger Damien Munro - who Keighley were chasing - and Halifax's Casey Mayberry has bolstered their side.

Kiwi stand off Matt Ashe played Reserve Grade in the NRL and last week they snapped up former Keighley scrum half Paul Ashton, although that didn't prevent a 54-12 hammering by Doncaster.

Having dumped Hunslet and Swinton over Easter, following on from their Northern Rail Cup victory over Workington, the visiting Cougars are looking to pick up a first of their own.

"We've won three games on the bounce now but - in my time here - we've not won three league games yet," Eaton explained.

"We set ourselves some goals before the season started and one of those was to win these opening three."

Eaton and Jon Presley are both likely to miss out again due to injury so Danny Jones - so impressive against Swinton on Monday night - and Craig Fawcett will continue at half-back.

Sam Gardner is unavailable due to work commitments so either James Hutchinson or Ryan Smith will come in on the right wing.