GAME THREAD: Steelers v Devils Challenge Cup Semi-final, Sunday, 23rd February 7:30pm

[smbmetal]

A result like this has been a long time coming. It's been some time since we played a team of any real substance and we've been able to get away with upping our game for 10 minutes and squeezing out a result. Too many of the team have been cruising, and it seems they are unable to up their game when the going gets tough. It would be unfair to name individuals as the whole team should share the blame. Unless there are some real changes in attitude, I can't see us giving the trophy engravers any work.

Spot on Ron. I was actually pleasantly surprised at the close result against Cardiff on Sunday. As Doom as already pointed out, we haven't replaced the goal scoring from Connolly and DeLuca. Unfortunately the likes of Traversa and Sointu are simply not good enough for consistent scoring and are 4th liners at best. I've also been disappointed in Ellerby's performances on the whole especially with the CV he has. The lack of physicality is also a big issue for me.

My concern is that we aren't able to up our game to the level required to compete with the likes of Cardiff & Belfast. We shall soon be finding out if we have what it takes.

[smbmetal]

I see whomever is in charge of social media via twitter is again attacking fans who are critical of the teams performance.

If one thing winds me up its that ..

No surprises there Rob. Remember fans are not allowed an alternative well thought out constructive criticism levelled at the club or team. They'll be the labelled as the classic 'keyboard warrior'.

[Joesteeler]

Last nights performance was not "one of those nights", it was totally unavoidable. Individual errors cost us, some of those errors coming from players you can usually rely on.

We do not have a clue how to score goals without Vallerand. We've not replaced Deluca or Connolly with the goals we need. I'm not sure if the market was dry when we needed a boost, but I'd be tempted to see if we could pick up a natural goal scorer before next weekend.

I think this team is 1 sniper similar to Vallerand away from winning championships/the league.

[Clowne57]

Well i blame Eliot Kennedy! Every time he sings the National Anthem we loose

[Clowne57]

Last nights performance was not "one of those nights", it was totally unavoidable. Individual errors cost us, some of those errors coming from players you can usually rely on.

We do not have a clue how to score goals without Vallerand. We've not replaced Deluca or Connolly with the goals we need. I'm not sure if the market was dry when we needed a boost, but I'd be tempted to see if we could pick up a natural goal scorer before next weekend.

I think this team is 1 sniper similar to Vallerand away from winning championships/the league.

The problem is every team wants a natural goal scorer and those that have one will do everything to keep them. This is the wrong time in the season to try to pick up such a player.

[Jayboy]

I see whomever is in charge of social media via twitter is again attacking fans who are critical of the teams performance.

If one thing winds me up its that ..

If it walks like a duck, looks like a duck and quacks like a duck then its a duck...

Not being able to describe a duck when you see one is is more a statement of their erroneous assumptions and lack of respect for the fans that it ever says about the actual fans they attack..

No one anywhere ive seen as ever described the team as rubbish or not worthy but the have described perfectly that one off game!

A duck is still a duck...

[paul johnston]

I've seen the Jonno video interview and am quite perplexed that he felt they played well in the first period. Astonishing.
There doesn't really seem to be any honesty and accountability in the team/coaching staff. No-one saying I/we was terrible.
They need to up the physicality play, thats a given, we have struggled against Clan, now Devils, recently just playing a simple solid physical defensive structure.
We need to mix up the lines-im not sure that trying to have three balanced lines is working. Maybe try a speed line, a more physical line eg get Eberle and Dowd together again. Its all much of a muchness.
Promote Whistle in that line up because he is outperforming and outworking our more senior pros.

[raetiamann]

I watched only the first two periods of the game, but for me Whistle was the one players who was prepared to put in a shift. How he's improved since his first time with the club.