WATCHING Worcester Wolves lose heavily to Cheshire Phoenix was a strange experience.

Since moving to the University Arena, fans have become accustomed to seeing Paul James’ side triumph more often than not.

They are not used to their team coming out on the wrong end of such scorelines and the 94-76 reverse came as something of a surprise to fans.

Despite being third in the British Basketball League, Wolves are a work in progress, which seems fair comment.

The squad was broken up in the summer and rebuilt.

Results so far would suggest that they are still finding their feet.

There have been good away victories at Sheffield Sharks and Manchester Giants – and they bounced back from the Cheshire defeat with a 90-81 win at Plymouth Raiders last Sunday.

Wolves have also done the home double over Glasgow Rocks, securing what could prove to be a vital head-to-head advantage.

But they have also come up short against Leicester Riders and London Lions, who are two sides likely to be challenging at the end of the campaign.

Yet the real test comes tomorrow night when Wolves make the trip to Newcastle Eagles, the all-conquering defending champions with a 100 per cent record from their 10 games to date.

This is when we will see just what the new-look Wolves team are made of.

Worcester have a fine recent record against Newcastle.

Coach James masterminded the play-off final triumph of 2014 and then guided them to the clean sweep against Fab Flournoy’s side last season.

Wolves won twice at Hylton Road and once at Sport Central as they inflicted three of the five defeats the Eagles suffered all season.

They certainly seem to have had Newcastle’s number.

Tomorrow will show either how far Wolves have come this season or how far they still have to go.