Jets coach John Lavery isn’t hitting the panic button just yet as the team bids to squeeze into the play-offs.

Sat in ninth position and still not occupying a play-off berth despite their morale boosting north-west derby success last weekend against Mersey Tigers, the Jets must overhaul some of their play-off rivals in the coming month or so to make it to the post-season.

But, far from worrying too much, a relaxed Lavery is trying not to look past this weekend when his team will have to play to the peak of their powers to grab a home success against high flying Worcester Wolves.

“It is hard to say how many wins we need to make a play off spot and so we’re just taking one game at a time” explained Lavery.

“Hopefully pick up as many wins as possible and just see what happens around the league.”

ONE man who knows about building a successful team is Paul Smith.

As a player and a coach he has won plenty of silverware and the former Cheshire Jets head coach has thrown his support behind the man who replaced him last year, John Lavery.

The Jets recently went on a seven-game run without a win, which saw some fans voice concerns about the club making the BBL Championship play-offs. But a run of three successive victories has lifted the gloom – and Smith believes Lavery is on the right track and may even bring silverware to Chester this season.

“People tend to judge a coach on wins and losses but that’s not always a fair thing to do,” said Smith. “This is John’s first year, he’s doing it on his own and there’s a seriously tight budget, which is right in this economic climate.