Tamsin Greenway looks ahead to Wasps Vitality Superleague opener
Sunday 19 February 2017 14:15, UK
Tamsin Greenway says Wasps are targeting a place in the Vitality Superleague play-offs, adding the Sirens are major contenders.
The two new franchises clash in front of a sell-out crowd at Glasgow's Emirates Arena on Sky Sports Mix on Tuesday night to complete the week one action, and both teams have the players to contend on Finals weekend in June.
Greenway left her position at Surrey to head up Wasps bid for success as director of netball, and a string of high-profile arrivals from last season's champions followed the path from Storm to the Ricoh Arena.
While some time to gel is understandable, Greenway is adamant that Wasps will not be making up the numbers and despite it being a debut season, the target is to be in the mix for the play-off places.
"I'd be very disappointed if this squad didn't make the top four and they would be as well as there is too much quality across the board," she told Sky Sports.
"But there are six of seven teams who are realistically vying for those top four spots so it will not be straightforward.
"I won't sit here and say we are going to win the league but I want us to be in the top four, the players want us to be in the top four and as everyone has seen over the past few seasons once you are in the top four upsets can happen.
"That is where we want to be.
"It's a case of trying to work out the opponents and it will be the same for all teams this year as there will be playing match-ups all over the court.
"Everyone is going to have strengths and weaknesses this year because of the nature of the squads so it will be a real test of coaching ability and squads to combat each different situation throughout the season."
Sirens have made significant waves in building arguably one of the strongest rosters in the Vitality Superleague and Greenway is under no illusions of the task that Wasps face on Tuesday night.
"We are all going out to win the first few games but I am being very realistic - Sirens are the team to beat this year," Greenway added.
"They have brought in Carla Borrego and Ellen Halpenny so that shooting circle is going to be immense.
"It is a really tough game for us away from home on a Tuesday night so yes the intention is to go out and win but will it be season over if we don't, of course not.
"Look at the results of the past, Storm were champions and lost their opening game to Team Bath and it didn't unsettle them."
Greenway is also pleased the season is finally underway as it gives her the chance to bring the squad together.
International commitments and injuries have meant the squad has taken it's time to come together and Greenway is now relishing the chance to put combinations into practice out on the court,
"It's been a really random pre-season, very disjointed and for the first time I have had to deal with an awful lot of injuries," she said. "With players away on international duty it has been a real mixed bag.
"But it's been great to have all the players back in and to see where we are at - it's all been behind closed doors, going against each other so we are never quite sure where that level is.
"But we have had some successful pre-season games but that is just everyone trying out combinations, so it has been a long time coming but to see the players step out in the Wasps dress is going to be very exciting."
Watch Sirens v Wasps on Sky Sports Mix and Sky Sports 2 on Tuesday from 7.15pm. You can follow all the Vitality Superleague action on Sky Sports Mix through the season and across our Sky Sports platforms. Follow us @SkyNetball
