BRIGHTON Bears are using a motivational psychologist to try and turn around their nightmare season.

Ali Kriwald, wife of club owner Romek, is fully qualified in this field and had her first meeting with the team on Wednesday. Further sessions are planned on a weekly basis.

Coach Mark Dunning said: "It went well, the players really responded. I am a firm believer that you should make use of support services like sports psychology and motivational techniques if they can help improve performances."

Power forward Jan Trojanowski agrees that the players should embrace anything which can help them win games.

He said: "Personally I'm not sure about these things, but it's not working for us at the moment and we should give anything a try as long as it's legal."

With 13 games to go, Dunning still hasn't given up hope that Bears can finish fourth in the southern conference and reach the end of season play-offs.

But he accepts there will have to be a massive improvement on Tuesday's performance when they lost 75-60 to Edinburgh Rocks, starting tomorrow when Bears fly to the Scottish capital for the the return fixture (5.00pm).

Bears scored just five points in the final quarter as they slumped to their 11th defeat in the last 12 games.

"The bottom line is that if you score 60 points in a game you're not going to win many. On Tuesday we couldn't find the ocean from the beach," added Dunning.

"But we've got to stay positive. Our practice and preparation is fine but we need to start playing with a lot more intensity and passion.

"Edinburgh were there for the taking on Tuesday and they can definitely be beaten at Meadowbank, but it's the responsibilty of everyone to make sure that we put what we learn on the training court into practice in a game."

WORTHING Thunder's National League title challenge continues with a trip to fifth-placed Islington tomorrow (5pm). Mid Sussex Magic play Taunton Tigers at the Triangle, Burgess Hill tonight (8.30pm).

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