Toronto Argonauts look to earn first win at Tim Hortons Field
The Toronto Argonauts are looking to pick up their third straight win on the road against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats..
If there was an ideal time for the Toronto Argonauts to earn their first victory at Tim Hortons Field it would be Saturday.
On Labour Day, the Argonauts lost a close one 24-22 with turnovers and challenges going against the team but both teams have gone through major changes since.
Toronto has relied on the emergence of running back James Wilder Jr. winning two straight at home against Edmonton and Montreal but they know that there still work to be done.
“We are trying to build on what we accomplished the last two games which is win,” said linebacker Bear Woods earlier this week. “How we do that is to play disciplined football, fundamental football and focus on what we do.”
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It helps that they can roll out a more balanced offence and are getting healthier on defence. They have also brought in new players which is not easy to do late in the season but Woods credits the coaching staff for making that transition easy on players.
“The foundation that was put in place in training camp by coach (Corey) Chamblin kept everyone level,” said the 30-year-old.
“The guys who have been here since training camp have shown the way, there is something about our room that ‘it’ factor that when guys come the coaches are able to teach our concepts so quickly that guys are able to retain it and show it on the field.”
On the other side of the ball, Hamilton has put themselves back in a position to contend in the East. They sit five points back of Ottawa for second in the division with three games in hand and will get Andy Fantuz on the field for the first time this season.
It will not be easy for them to make up for their tough start to the season but they are have not shut the door yet.
“I credit them, they are playing with a new attitude,” said Woods on Hamilton’s resurgence. “They are playing playoff style football and we are too so it should be fun.”
When asked if the team is ready for the tough grueling action against a divisional opponent, Woods did not hesitate.
“I always encourage physicality,” he said. “This is an important game for both clubs, we have split one game and this is the series tiebreaker, we want this game and they want this game so it is important and we know that.”
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It will certainly be a close affair with Marc Trestman expecting a much different Hamilton team especially their defensive front. For Wilder Jr., the tough part about playing in Hamilton is the atmosphere but cannot wait to get on the field.
“I love it because they hate is and we do not like them either it is no secret,” said Wilder Jr. “I would love to get a win there in their house and turn it into our house.”