OLD SCHOOL HOCKEY

[mark]

Fox has had plenty of time to put his own stamp on the Steelers team and it's no where near good enough IMO. Belfast are miles ahead and have proved that you can play both fast and in your face hockey with a touch of the old school thrown in AND win trophy after trophy, bit like we did playing a similar style.

I don't see how keeping him as coach for next season will change this. The Sheffield Steelers have gone backwards over the last 4 to 5 years, lost their identity apart from Orange shirts and for me, are certainly not the benchmark that UK hockey teams try to emulate, that's now Belfast & Cardiff. Our only boast is that we get large crowds and 50/50 prizes. Great!

I'll leave it alone now, as I sound like a broken record.

I think we have improved under Fox, the question is have we improved enough to keep up with Belfast and the answer is clearly no we have not despite the financial backing that has been given. The identity has changed but only that part relating to how a Steelers team was expected to play on the ice, that is down to the coach and recruitment, the big crowds and 50/50 provide the funds to keep a very expensive business a going concern. The owner does not decide tactics and playing styles, especially an owner that has not played the game or is qualified to coach at that level, this as always is down to the coaching staff and that isn't having a go at them, it's just a reality in professional sport.

I can be as quick as anyone to aim comments at the management if I think they can change something for the better but in this case I don't feel it is the fault of TS.

And for the record I have NEVER had any conversation with TS about on ice matters , off ice issues yes but that was several years ago and there has been no contact since, neither have I ever been in his office and quite honestly I have no desire to.

[jas]

Is it fox that won’t allow it or is or smith who wants vanilla hockey?

I've felt that about Tony for a long time now, although I accept that not everyone agrees.

For me it's Old School hockey. I find it strange really because the crowd reacts positively to some good hits and a bit of argy bargy, yet it's a rarity now

[neily06]

First game in 5 years when did it change to non contact hockey

[smbmetal]

First game in 5 years when did it change to non contact hockey

Most games under Fox are non-contact. Game has changed for the better I keep getting told in favour of speed and skill. My eyes must be painted on as there isn’t much of that either.

[ekt]

Old school.

I think our intro video focuses on the hits and fights yet they are a rarity, it shows what we would like to see every game but nowadays what used to happen most games is diluted to the highlights over the entire season.

Im not sure TS is against old school hockey. I think Fox goes for speed and skill but as an example the last game in Belfast, I thought we were bullied, thats why Mcnally ended up being thrown out. In the old days Steelers sides were not bullied without consequences. Just my opinion but throughout the Fox era we have lacked toughness.

I really like the look of Keefe teams, Belfast nicked the Teal colour from us and now they play the way we used to.

If Belfast were just an hour away like Manchester I think I would jump ship.