BLACKWOOD head coach Matthew Veater has called on his troops for a big “change of attitude” ahead of their crucial Swalec Championship Gwent derby at home to Pontypool today, writes Iwan Gabe Davies.

The Glan-yr-Afon Park outfit find themselves dragged back into the relegation swamp after three successive defeats.

Having gone through the agony of a basement battle in the Championship last season, although they did experience the ecstasy of pulling off a great escape, the last thing they want is the stress of going through it all again in this campaign.

Currently tenth in the 14-side league with 17 points to their name, Blackwood are 12 points clear of bottom side, near neighbours Newbridge.

Things can quickly change though and Veater is anxious his men do get something out of the Pooler clash to put some distance between them and the drop zone.

The former Newport lock said: “We were on a great run leading up to Wales’ autumn internationals, but the life seems to have been sucked out of us in recent weeks.

“I witnessed two abysmal performances by us against Merthyr (45-12) and Glynneath (17-11) in our last two games – they were matches we should and could have won.

“This weekend we are in a massive derby against Pontypool, with their great history, and I wonder if our boys are ready for it.

“I think the intensity of the game will come as a shock to many of the players.

“They need to show something extra – they need a real kick to get them going. I think they need to show a real change of attitude – perhaps this derby is just what they need.”

Veater added: “We are now getting involved in a relegation battle again. Had we beaten Merthyr and Glynneath, we would probably be home and dry now.

“So we desperately need something this weekend.”

Pontypool, currently fifth in the table, were left to rue an opportunity to go third when their opponents Merthyr edged them to that position with the Ironmen celebrating a narrow 23-19 victory on their own patch seven days ago.

Prior to that setback, Pooler had been on a roll with three small-margin triumphs of their own against Tata Steel (36-34), Bridgend Athletic (16-13) and Gwent rivals Newbridge (29-26).

While Blackwood and Pontypool slug it out, just a few miles away in Bargoed, Newbridge will be on their quest for a first win of the season.

Those in the know say it is only a matter of time before new head coach Neil Edwards starts turning things around at the Welfare Ground.

But they could be embarking on something of an odyssey at unbeaten leaders Bargoed.

Rooted to the bottom of the Championship with just a draw (a 23-23 stalemate against Narberth at home in early September) and nine defeats to show for their efforts so far, Newbridge are in deep trouble at the moment.

With only five points in the bank, they are three points behind fellow strugglers Tondu.

And they are highly unlikely to close that gap against a rampaging Bargoed team who are ten points ahead at the summit of the league from nearest rivals Swansea after winning all 11 of their 11 clashes so far.

While the men from Bargoed Park are averaging nearly 38 points a game, the visitors are only scoring just over 15 per match in return.