Craig Lingard has set his sights on a play-off berth for Sheffield Eagles and says Sunday’s match against Rochdale Hornets could be decisive. With the 2026 Betfred Championship season moving into its closing stages, Lingard told the club’s media team that a run of consistent results has put his squad in a strong position, but that improvements are still required.
Focus on a crucial run of fixtures
Lingard outlined a targeted approach that the Eagles have applied to a sequence of games designed to build momentum. He explained that the team had identified a block of five matches as a test of their ability to climb the table, and that they have taken four wins from that sequence so far. He warned, however, that success ultimately depends on the squad’s own performances rather than relying on other results.
“If we get five wins, then we thought we'd be successful in ending up in the top 10 and potentially have the chance to try and get in the top six,”
Lingard added that securing victory at Spotland this weekend would, in his view, make the Eagles “pretty much guaranteed” a place in the play-offs. He stressed the importance of continuing to press teams above them in the table and of focusing on controllable aspects of performance.
Improvement despite emphatic win
Last weekend’s 38-12 win over Workington Town gave the Eagles a statement result, but Lingard said there are still specific areas where the team can tighten up. He described the search for greater consistency over an 80-minute performance as an ongoing task and highlighted the potential within the squad should those marginal gains be made.
- Opponent: Rochdale Hornets (away for Sheffield)
- Recent form: Eagles on a multi-game winning run
- Significance: A win would substantially strengthen Sheffield’s play-off prospects
For Rochdale supporters, the fixture represents an opportunity to impact the shape of the Championship’s play-off race on home soil. The Hornets will be aiming to halt Sheffield’s momentum and protect home pride at Spotland.
| Team | Recent result | Play-off implication |
|---|---|---|
| Sheffield Eagles | 38-12 v Workington Town | Win would all but secure play-off spot |
| Rochdale Hornets | Facing Eagles at home | Chance to derail Sheffield’s run |
Lingard’s comments underline a pragmatic approach: celebrate progress but insist on improvement. For Hornets fans, the coming fixture offers a test against a side bidding to translate recent form into post-season qualification.
Match details and ticket information are available from the clubs’ official channels for supporters planning to attend.
