OCTOBER could make or break Manchester Storm's season - and nobody knows that better than captain marvel Ivan Matulik.

Storm endured a tough start to the new campaign, losing four of their six games in September.

It brought memories of the first month of last season flooding back when they lost six contests in 11.

But Matulik - who held his team together so valiantly last season taking them from the depths of despair to the brink of play-off final glory - believes the next month will prove the greatest test of the team's character.

'Crucial month'

"October is a crucial month for us," said 34-year-old Matulik, whose side travel to the capital today (Sunday) to play the London Knights.

"The results we get this month will probably end up being a good measure of where we finish this season.

"You can have as good a team on paper as is possible.

"But if you don't win then it really doesn't matter and we're struggling to win at the minute.

"We've mostly put last season behind us now, but I won't lie, thoughts of what happened do sit at the back of your mind, and if mentally you're not focused, those thoughts can affect how you play.

'Not pressing the panic button'

"I wouldn't say it's time to start pressing the panic button, but we need to pick our game up.

"We don't want to drop down any further than we are in terms of losing games.

Matulik admits Storm don't know what to expect from London having not played them yet this season.

But he is adamant they will want to settle a few scores after being beaten five times by Storm last year.

"They won't be happy about being beaten that many times by us last season and I think they'll have something of a score to settle," added Matulik.