Chris Goulding says Melbourne United will embrace ‘do-or-die’ pressure in late push for NBL finals berth

Melbourne United is ready to embrace the pressure of a ‘do-or-die’ finish to the NBL campaign, knowing it can ill afford another slip-up if it is to edge into the playoffs.

Chris Goulding is confident Melbourne United can handle the pressure of the run home.

Melbourne United captain Chris Goulding says the "do-or-die" situation the club finds itself in trying to qualify for the NBL finals suits the team dynamic.

United remains an outside chance to leapfrog Brisbane Bullets and New Zealand Breakers, as long as Goulding's team defeat Cairns Taipans on Thursday and South East Melbourne on Sunday.

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“I think the whole do-or-die thing is good for us, obviously we would like to be in a better position,” Goulding said.

“There’s no ifs, ands, or buts now; we just need to win.

“We will have to come up with something a little different to try and knock off Cairns.

“That mindset going into games is where we need to be, leave it all out there, just go for it.”

Goulding led United past Illawarra Hawks last Saturday, splashing six threes in the second half on his way to 20 points.

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But Goulding and United are on high alert to avoid another let down performance immediately after an important win.

United last month upset Perth Wildcats in Melbourne only to then travel to Brisbane and blow a double-digit margin.

Coach Dean Vickerman plans to keep all rotations fluid to safeguard against lapses, be it on the practice floor or game day.

Chris Goulding is confident Melbourne United can handle the pressure of the run home.

“We've had three or four games during the year where we had the chance to kick ourselves ahead and faltered in a few of those,” Vickerman said.

“We've moved the line-up around and shaken things up a little bit to spark a different energy within the group.

“I can’t tell you right now what the starting group will look like for Cairns,” Vickerman said ahead of Thursday’s blockbuster clash.

“We will make a good assessment, talk to the coaching staff, talk to the players about who we think are the best match-ups and we will roll with it.”

Originally published as Chris Goulding says Melbourne United will embrace ‘do-or-die’ pressure in late push for NBL finals berth