Reflecting before the run-in

[Lukejohnspencer]

Funny how we all see the game.

I do definitely agree that this season from a results and league perspective has been night and day better than the last few.

Fox has brought back the battling attitude that used to be the standard part of the Steelers identity.

For me and this is a league thing more than just the Steelers,I’ve found most of the games boring to watch. So much so I’ve not been back to the arena since October. I have watched most of the streams though.

I would be disappointed if we don’t win a trophy. Fox has had fantastic backing from Mr Smith and we’ve brought in more players in than any other club. So with the budget available I’d be disappointed to not win a trophy if I was the owner.

As a fan all we ask is to be in with a decent shout of all competitions and Fox has certainly delivered that.

Hopefully things will continue to improve, but I think Cardiff will pip us to the league.

What makes the games boring for you?

I find the game slow to watch and scrappy. I don't think there's much of an atmosphere in the arena either.

I've made no secret that I enjoy the rougher side of the game. For me, that's totally gone (and I'm not just talking about fighting). You might see one or two decent hits a game. The skill level has not gone up to replace this side of the game in my eyes.

We keep getting told that the league is getting better.....not for me.....Both Belfast & Cardiff are no where near the level of seasons before. We've improved, yes, but not by as much as many make out. I would suggest the top teams have got worse.

I usually enjoy one period which is played at a good intensity but that rarely carries over to all 3.

Best game I've seen this season was our last win Cardiff that was an awesome game.

I'm glad everyone else is enjoying the hockey though, but I'd be dissapointed if we don't win a trophy with the budget and resources that Mr Fox has had at his disposal.

I can see your point, but I think that's the trend across all sports in 2020.
In Football in the past 5-10 years the game has changed to a point at which I wince at some of the soft decisions and unsportsmanlike conduct that goes on...
All forms of Ice Hockey that I watch has gotten softer and less physical, not just the EIHL. I'm not sure what style of Ice Hockey I prefer in all honesty, but it's all relative to me... I can enjoy the physicality of the days of yore, but I'm also impressed by the speed and skill of a lot of the play that goes on today.

[Jayboy]

Funny how we all see the game.

I do definitely agree that this season from a results and league perspective has been night and day better than the last few.

Fox has brought back the battling attitude that used to be the standard part of the Steelers identity.

For me and this is a league thing more than just the Steelers,I’ve found most of the games boring to watch. So much so I’ve not been back to the arena since October. I have watched most of the streams though.

I would be disappointed if we don’t win a trophy. Fox has had fantastic backing from Mr Smith and we’ve brought in more players in than any other club. So with the budget available I’d be disappointed to not win a trophy if I was the owner.

As a fan all we ask is to be in with a decent shout of all competitions and Fox has certainly delivered that.

Hopefully things will continue to improve, but I think Cardiff will pip us to the league.

What makes the games boring for you?

I find the game slow to watch and scrappy. I don't think there's much of an atmosphere in the arena either.

I've made no secret that I enjoy the rougher side of the game. For me, that's totally gone (and I'm not just talking about fighting). You might see one or two decent hits a game. The skill level has not gone up to replace this side of the game in my eyes.

We keep getting told that the league is getting better.....not for me.....Both Belfast & Cardiff are no where near the level of seasons before. We've improved, yes, but not by as much as many make out. I would suggest the top teams have got worse.

I usually enjoy one period which is played at a good intensity but that rarely carries over to all 3.

Best game I've seen this season was our last win Cardiff that was an awesome game.

I'm glad everyone else is enjoying the hockey though, but I'd be disappointed if we don't win a trophy with the budget and resources that Mr Fox has had at his disposal.

I can see your point, but I think that's the trend across all sports in 2020.
In Football in the past 5-10 years the game has changed to a point at which I wince at some of the soft decisions and unsportsmanlike conduct that goes on...
All forms of Ice Hockey that I watch has gotten softer and less physical, not just the EIHL. I'm not sure what style of Ice Hockey I prefer in all honesty, but it's all relative to me... I can enjoy the physicality of the days of yore, but I'm also impressed by the speed and skill of a lot of the play that goes on today.

I get all your points bar one, the one I highlighted, I think coming off the previous 2/3 seasons providing a marginally bigger budget and spending on a new 1st season coach, anyone would be expecting a lot for that to be a guarantee for success in terms of winning silverware...

[Jarv]

We've undoubtedly improved loads this season and I would have taken a good title challenge and 1 or 2 finals before the season this year.

We've been made to look better than we are by the big step backwards from Cardiff and Belfast though. This team last season would have been third by now.

As i said we've definitely improved this year and Fox is doing a good job correcting the odd recruiting mistake along the way.

What has regressed this season even from last year is the Arena atmosphere, it's awful most of the time with most of the crowd content to sit and watch quietly. It's not helped by the continual playing of music even when there is a chant going. I still find it bizarre that Away drums were banned when they were not half as annoying or as loud as the arena PA.

Anyway, it's been a decent season and i'll be interested to see who comes back next year. I hope we end up with something trophywise at the end of it all but at least we're competitive this season.

[smbmetal]

We've undoubtedly improved loads this season and I would have taken a good title challenge and 1 or 2 finals before the season this year.

We've been made to look better than we are by the big step backwards from Cardiff and Belfast though. This team last season would have been third by now.

As i said we've definitely improved this year and Fox is doing a good job correcting the odd recruiting mistake along the way.

What has regressed this season even from last year is the Arena atmosphere, it's awful most of the time with most of the crowd content to sit and watch quietly. It's not helped by the continual playing of music even when there is a chant going. I still find it bizarre that Away drums were banned when they were not half as annoying or as loud as the arena PA.

Anyway, it's been a decent season and i'll be interested to see who comes back next year. I hope we end up with something trophywise at the end of it all but at least we're competitive this season.

A fair reflection Jarv.

Re the arena atmosphere I think is largely due to the low/scrappy (IMO) quality of the hockey, there’s not a lot to shout about apart from the goals. Just listen to the atmosphere when there’s a few handbags or a rare scrap, or the intensity is maintained for more than 5 mins.

I’ve watched plenty of hockey in other leagues and there’s plenty of hits and rough stuff as well as the skill level to go with it the EIHL is to sterile for me.

[Sully]

It’s been a much better season and had we had a better start to the league campaign, then who knows.

I can say that this is our most exciting Team. The Vial Grand Slam Team and the Run and Gun one before it were brilliant to watch.

Last season again, wasn’t our worst team. It probably get labelled that way because of the discord between Fans and Club. It’s frustrating when people continually try to polish a turd!!! However, there have been much worse - Dion Del Monte anyone?

Fox and the players this season get us!!! Bridges have been built, yes there have been frustrations but as long as we are there or thereabouts and the players are leaving their backsides on the ice - which they 100% are. Then fans can’t really complain...

[Johnny777]

What sort of result swing would we need to be in a position of winner takes all in the cardiff game on 29th March? Is it likely?

[Jarv]

What sort of result swing would we need to be in a position of winner takes all in the cardiff game on 29th March? Is it likely?

needs to be between a 3 and 6 point swing in our favour before that game for it to matter. more or less and it's already over. We can get 2 of them if we win in Cardiff next Friday. rest is in Cardiff's hands. if we don't win next Friday it's very unlikely, IMO.

Belfast's challenge is more or less over and they're fighting for third. Nottingham have to win out to still be in it at the end of the season. That includes beating Cardiff twice, belfast away twice and Coventry twice.

[Johnny777]

Fingers crossed then as feel it would be a potentially brilliant night at the arena for such an occasion