WILDCATS player-coach Aaron Nell believes consistency is the key if his side are to compete with the big boys in the English Premier League.

So far this term, the Wildcats have enjoyed a steady start to the season and are currently fifth in the league standings with Basingstoke Bison, who are level on 17 points in fourth.

This weekend will prove to be tough for the Wildcats, who welcome Basingstoke to the Link Centre on tomorrow before making the long trip to Sheffield Steeldogs on Sunday.

Speaking after their 2-1 defeat at home to Milton Keynes Lightning on Wednesday night, Nell believes his side will have to be consistent if they are to compete at the top end of the table.

“Basingstoke are a good side and they work hard like us, we are more like them this year than we were last year,” said the Wildcats player-coach.

“It’s going to be another big battle, they’re a different team to Milton Keynes but if we play as hard as we did on Wednesday, we’ll always have a chance.

“The games we have lost so far have all been close, we are more consistent and that it what you need to be if you are going to over achieve and be up there with the big boys.

“Sheffield have had a good start, we’ve got to respect them and play them hard, if we do that, we have always got a chance.

“Our preparation doesn’t get effected by the midweek game, it’s just another game. It happens all the time and we are used to it, come Saturday, we’ll play just as hard and if we do that we will get a win.”

Nell also praised Max Birbraer for the physical edge he brings to the team after another impressive display during the week.

“Max Birbraer has got an awful lot of space out there and there aren’t many players who want to go into a corner with him," he added.

“They let him get the puck first and that is the reason we brought Max to Swindon because of his physical play. He turned the game around last Saturday against Guildford and he’s very good in our little rink.”