Correcting spelling and grammar mistakes in a Steelers press release can take a while you know....
It's just so the stories are spread out to maintain interest and fill some space in the local media.
The completed squad - Your verdict
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mark
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It's just so the stories are spread out to maintain interest and fill some space in the local media.
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paul johnston
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So that's the squad sorted. Trying to remember what Aaron said his plans for this seasons recruitment were
Younger
Bigger
Differentiate between top six and bottom six.
More goals.
Better pp. .
We were always going to get younger with jonno and davey moving on. I think the last time I looked we still were the oldest team average age in league.
We are bigger, I think fourth biggest team now.
My issue is its ok being bigger/taller, but it's about playing bigger. I wonder if it's a continuing fox trait of defenders to create offence/skate and not necessarily focus on putting opponents flat on arses in front of our crease.
We've definitely got a top and bottom six although I suspect there is potential for one or two guys to move up or down even from bittom six to top and vice versa.
I think Watling and Nichols are certs to start first line, then it may just be down to line chemistry. Can see Vally starting but potential for Ciampini to be there.
Goals and pp we have to be a wait and see but a lot of new guys have had a rough recent history burying the puck in the net and look to be creators rather than finishers.
Younger
Bigger
Differentiate between top six and bottom six.
More goals.
Better pp. .
We were always going to get younger with jonno and davey moving on. I think the last time I looked we still were the oldest team average age in league.
We are bigger, I think fourth biggest team now.
My issue is its ok being bigger/taller, but it's about playing bigger. I wonder if it's a continuing fox trait of defenders to create offence/skate and not necessarily focus on putting opponents flat on arses in front of our crease.
We've definitely got a top and bottom six although I suspect there is potential for one or two guys to move up or down even from bittom six to top and vice versa.
I think Watling and Nichols are certs to start first line, then it may just be down to line chemistry. Can see Vally starting but potential for Ciampini to be there.
Goals and pp we have to be a wait and see but a lot of new guys have had a rough recent history burying the puck in the net and look to be creators rather than finishers.
Pleased to see the completed squad. My thoughts:
Positives - I'm looking forward to seeing Saucerman, Tansey and Watling play as well as the returning Greenfield. Looks like we have got a tiny bit younger as well, although I still think we are on the more experienced side than I would personally like. I really, really hope we play with a more physical edge.
Concerns - A couple of risky signings I think. Vallerand is also a risk for me similar to what Connolly was last year and a couple of the new signings with not great last couple of seasons, could either continue that downward trend, or hopefully we've signed a couple of gems. I'm not sure we've closed the gap to the likes of Belfast even with them losing Conway. Panthers could also be a much improved team this year as well.
Coach - Fox has absolutely NO excuses, Tony backs him with replacement/spare import players when or if required and the club isn't interested in playing in Europe, so we don't have any distractions there like Cardiff and Belfast have. Unfortunately I don't believe Aaron Fox is the right man for the Sheffield Steelers. I don't believe we will win a League Championship with him in charge. I also think that the old never say die, win at all costs, sore loser attitude which was one the main parts of the Steelers winning identity has also been lost under Fox's tenure. Let's see if I'm proved wrong.
League Prediction - 3rd Place.
Positives - I'm looking forward to seeing Saucerman, Tansey and Watling play as well as the returning Greenfield. Looks like we have got a tiny bit younger as well, although I still think we are on the more experienced side than I would personally like. I really, really hope we play with a more physical edge.
Concerns - A couple of risky signings I think. Vallerand is also a risk for me similar to what Connolly was last year and a couple of the new signings with not great last couple of seasons, could either continue that downward trend, or hopefully we've signed a couple of gems. I'm not sure we've closed the gap to the likes of Belfast even with them losing Conway. Panthers could also be a much improved team this year as well.
Coach - Fox has absolutely NO excuses, Tony backs him with replacement/spare import players when or if required and the club isn't interested in playing in Europe, so we don't have any distractions there like Cardiff and Belfast have. Unfortunately I don't believe Aaron Fox is the right man for the Sheffield Steelers. I don't believe we will win a League Championship with him in charge. I also think that the old never say die, win at all costs, sore loser attitude which was one the main parts of the Steelers winning identity has also been lost under Fox's tenure. Let's see if I'm proved wrong.
League Prediction - 3rd Place.
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House_of_Steel
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we have potentially upgraded one forward from last season in Watling. I was expecting the last forward in Nicholls to be of the same standard genuine top line quality. He is not in my opinion. In his past 3 seasons at our level he’s producing middle 6 numbers and his goal scoring which is well below where you’d expect our last “PREMIUM” forward to be its quite disappointing really. I can’t see the added pressure of studying for a MBA in his spare time contributing to an upturn in his numbers. The trouble with this is it dilutes the lines further down the roster and players that would have been more comfortable down the order are required to step up (Dowdy etc.) to compensate for it.
What I’ve also taken into account is that 4 of our top 6 forwards from last year didn’t make the top 20 in EIHL scoring that’s a worrying statistic.
Vallerand had a poor season by his standards and on his return to us was nowhere near producing the goals required whether that was through injury/decline time will tell again a risk but he should still be good for low 20s goals.
Moving onto our bottom 6 imports again this is again quite worrying but seems to be the theme of Aaron Fox throwing the dice that could prove costly sooner than he thinks. Simpson, Juusola, Kielly all extremely low numbers last year, many people have said they like the look of Juusola. I agree he could potentially be a good player however, we also need to factor in no one else has taken a gamble on this player in any other league and the language barrier thats quite apparent in his interview may work to his detriment.
Defence wasn’t an issue last season and I don’t think it will be again the issue for me same as last year will be the Forwards not been able to match Belfasts or Cardiffs it’s very much the theme now and has been for the past 5 seasons. Added to that Glasgow and Nottingham seem to have recruited well on paper I’d say better than us.
League prediction 4th/5th based on the fact we were 3rd last season with the majority same set of forwards, the remainder new signings other than Watling look mediocre at best also taking into account Belfast, Cardiff ,Glasgow, Nottingham have all recruited well on paper.
League prediction.
Belfast
Cardiff
Nottingham
Glasgow
Sheffield
Guildford
All the rest in any order.
What I’ve also taken into account is that 4 of our top 6 forwards from last year didn’t make the top 20 in EIHL scoring that’s a worrying statistic.
Vallerand had a poor season by his standards and on his return to us was nowhere near producing the goals required whether that was through injury/decline time will tell again a risk but he should still be good for low 20s goals.
Moving onto our bottom 6 imports again this is again quite worrying but seems to be the theme of Aaron Fox throwing the dice that could prove costly sooner than he thinks. Simpson, Juusola, Kielly all extremely low numbers last year, many people have said they like the look of Juusola. I agree he could potentially be a good player however, we also need to factor in no one else has taken a gamble on this player in any other league and the language barrier thats quite apparent in his interview may work to his detriment.
Defence wasn’t an issue last season and I don’t think it will be again the issue for me same as last year will be the Forwards not been able to match Belfasts or Cardiffs it’s very much the theme now and has been for the past 5 seasons. Added to that Glasgow and Nottingham seem to have recruited well on paper I’d say better than us.
League prediction 4th/5th based on the fact we were 3rd last season with the majority same set of forwards, the remainder new signings other than Watling look mediocre at best also taking into account Belfast, Cardiff ,Glasgow, Nottingham have all recruited well on paper.
League prediction.
Belfast
Cardiff
Nottingham
Glasgow
Sheffield
Guildford
All the rest in any order.
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greeny
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So the squad now complete, was hoping for 1 or 2 standout players with the wow factor in the scoring department. dosnt seem we have. But on paper it looks like an ok squad but so have previous years. Dont think foxy is is too bad of a recruiter overall. But now its down to the coach to --- get the systems right, to get the players playing to the best of their abilities, to have plan bs when plan a is not working etc etc, in general be a good coach. im hoping all players are team players, give 100% every shift and hopefully play with a bit of an edge and if pure quality is lacking then teamwork can go a long way. As with every season time will tell,, but for me this season is make or brake for foxy
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Sully
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I feel time will tell with this group.
My worry is that we are using a Uni Place on someone who on paper doesn’t look to be the goal scoring threat that may be needed.
I feel we may be short on the goal scoring front again which from the past few years has seen us fall short. We need more than 1 threat.
My worry is that we are using a Uni Place on someone who on paper doesn’t look to be the goal scoring threat that may be needed.
I feel we may be short on the goal scoring front again which from the past few years has seen us fall short. We need more than 1 threat.
I've gone from having little enthusiasm at the start of the Summer to being quite optimistic now.
That optimism is on the back of the defence, which I really like the look of and think will be the best in the league.
Petgrave and Nevalainen are a known quantity, but I'm really looking forward to watching Saucerman play in our league because I think he'll be outstanding.
Whilst I'm less confident in Tansey, he certainly seems to know where the net is and could be a huge asset on the powerplay.
The forwards don't convince me though, mainly because so many of them are coming off of poor seasons. To be successful we'll need Vally to rediscover his mojo and a couple of the new guys to really fire.
Overall I think we're better than last season and Belfast are a little weaker, the question is have we made up the gap?
I think we fall just short, but I don't think there's a lot in it. I think I'll go:
1. Belfast, although I think they have the weakest defence of the 4 big budget teams.
2. Sheffield
3. Nottingham
4. Cardiff
Regards
Doom
That optimism is on the back of the defence, which I really like the look of and think will be the best in the league.
Petgrave and Nevalainen are a known quantity, but I'm really looking forward to watching Saucerman play in our league because I think he'll be outstanding.
Whilst I'm less confident in Tansey, he certainly seems to know where the net is and could be a huge asset on the powerplay.
The forwards don't convince me though, mainly because so many of them are coming off of poor seasons. To be successful we'll need Vally to rediscover his mojo and a couple of the new guys to really fire.
Overall I think we're better than last season and Belfast are a little weaker, the question is have we made up the gap?
I think we fall just short, but I don't think there's a lot in it. I think I'll go:
1. Belfast, although I think they have the weakest defence of the 4 big budget teams.
2. Sheffield
3. Nottingham
4. Cardiff
Regards
Doom