Pre-Season Discussion

[mark]

When I heard the comments from the coach about it only being a two week pre-season and comparing it unfavourably to some other teams I wondered why this is the case when we know that in our league points at the beginning of the season are just as important as those at the end.

I accept that Belfast will have started early due to playing in European competition but given the comments from the owner that we are financially stable ( at long last ) I wonder why we have not gone for at least an extra week knowing how important it is. The reasons for two weeks appear to be either financial or availability of facilities and to be honest I don't know which or even if it's a mix of both. I believe a fast start is essential and that extra week is vital in getting the players comfortable with systems the coach wants them to play and in how their new team mates play.

[greeny]

When I heard the comments from the coach about it only being a two week pre-season and comparing it unfavourably to some other teams I wondered why this is the case when we know that in our league points at the beginning of the season are just as important as those at the end.

I accept that Belfast will have started early due to playing in European competition but given the comments from the owner that we are financially stable ( at long last ) I wonder why we have not gone for at least an extra week knowing how important it is. The reasons for two weeks appear to be either financial or availability of facilities and to be honest I don't know which or even if it's a mix of both. I believe a fast start is essential and that extra week is vital in getting the players comfortable with systems the coach wants them to play and in how their new team mates play.

Yes my initial thoughts were that it dosnt look great when the coach comes out and says some of the other teams have already got a head start on us. Coaching staff had plenty time to sort things, unless it is down to ice being available or not. Comes over as if they are getting excuses in early

[smbmetal]

When I heard the comments from the coach about it only being a two week pre-season and comparing it unfavourably to some other teams I wondered why this is the case when we know that in our league points at the beginning of the season are just as important as those at the end.

I accept that Belfast will have started early due to playing in European competition but given the comments from the owner that we are financially stable ( at long last ) I wonder why we have not gone for at least an extra week knowing how important it is. The reasons for two weeks appear to be either financial or availability of facilities and to be honest I don't know which or even if it's a mix of both. I believe a fast start is essential and that extra week is vital in getting the players comfortable with systems the coach wants them to play and in how their new team mates play.

Being totally honest, I’m not very impressed by our pre-season at all. I also think it’s not long enough and am disappointed that we play EIHL clubs as pre-season games. We’ve brought European teams in, in the past. Don’t we play the EIHL teams enough in a full season? Let’s have some variety!

I’m sure the excuse will be that the arena hasn’t got its ice down etc. We’ve played out of ice Sheffield before though so I sure we could have utilised that if so.

If we want to be successful and surpass Belfast of being the best UK hockey team I think we should have started our pre-season earlier.

Tony said in his recent interview that he wants the ‘fun’ side (which I think he means trophies) to take a priority now that we have a stable and successful club/business.

Well that means a longer pre-season for me.

Perhaps Aaron has got an early excuse in? Although it’s hard to argue against it to be fair.

[Doom]

I'm going to swim against the tide here and say our pre season is just about right.

Two games would be too few to try out line combinations, build chemistry and practice special teams.

Six games for me would be too many, with players and supporters starting to get bored and the greater risk of injuries before the proper stuff starts.

For me four is just about the right amount. Four games and three weeks should be enough to be ready for Coventry.

I'm also happy with the opposition. We're playing teams of a similar standard so our new players can test themselves against what they're likely to be up against in the season. With it being our biggest two rivals it also guarantees a healthy attendance to introduce the new guys.

Much better to get things underway against 7,000+, rather than 4,000 against a team many supporters have never heard of.

Then there's the commercial aspect. I'd rather see £20k go into the player budget, rather than be spent flying in some Euro team.

The worst pre season we've ever had was when we played those Euro teams who were a class above. We spent the whole game chasing shadows and spent so little time in the offensive zone our forwards had no chemistry or confidence going into the season. I think that was Thompson's last season.

When Fox made his comments I suspect he was just trying to manage expectations going into the friendlies. We are behind Nottingham and Cardiff, so don't expect us to be as slick as them.

No excuses for Coventry, with 4 games and 3 weeks behind us, we should be ready.

Regards

Doom

[ginger]

I'm going to swim against the tide here and say our pre season is just about right.

Two games would be too few to try out line combinations, build chemistry and practice special teams.

Six games for me would be too many, with players and supporters starting to get bored and the greater risk of injuries before the proper stuff starts.

For me four is just about the right amount. Four games and three weeks should be enough to be ready for Coventry.

I'm also happy with the opposition. We're playing teams of a similar standard so our new players can test themselves against what they're likely to be up against in the season. With it being our biggest two rivals it also guarantees a healthy attendance to introduce the new guys.

Much better to get things underway against 7,000+, rather than 4,000 against a team many supporters have never heard of.

Then there's the commercial aspect. I'd rather see £20k go into the player budget, rather than be spent flying in some Euro team.

The worst pre season we've ever had was when we played those Euro teams who were a class above. We spent the whole game chasing shadows and spent so little time in the offensive zone our forwards had no chemistry or confidence going into the season. I think that was Thompson's last season.

When Fox made his comments I suspect he was just trying to manage expectations going into the friendlies. We are behind Nottingham and Cardiff, so don't expect us to be as slick as them.

No excuses for Coventry, with 4 games and 3 weeks behind us, we should be ready.

Regards

Doom

I agree Doom.

NHL camps and preseason lasts about a month, and they include and use a number of players from the whole system, plus players on PTOs. They play about 8 games but some of the stars will only play in about 4/5 of those games.

Fun to see Euro teams, but hard to get the level right so that you get the preseason you want. Playing EIHL teams gives us exactly what you say - a chance to understand what we will face week in week out.

[BrianC]

Perhaps someone can explain to me why we go straight into playing two pre-season games over a weekend? Surely it would be better to play the games over two weekends making the pre-season 4 weeks. Reducing the possibility of the injuries we have suffered during pre-season in previous years. This would also allow the coaching staff to iron out any issues in practice before the next game.

[mark]

I'd just like to see Fox given an appropriate amount of time actually coaching the players the systems he wants them to play, he clearly would have liked longer.

[greeny]

How many times have we seen in previous seasons that early season game losses may have cost us winning the league, every 2 points is critical and cannot be clawed back. So to me pre season is critical to get out of the blocks up and running. So you would assume every step possible would be taken to ensure this. so why say others have a head start, they shouldnt have if we have pulled out all the stops to get up and running in time

[Doom]

Taking the thread title literally, it sounds like there were a couple of exciting pre-season games between Belfast and Cardiff.

Friday night Cardiff took the win in Belfast on penalty shots after the game finished 3 - 3 in regulation.

On Saturday night in Cardiff the Devils took the victory 5 - 4 in overtime.

By all accounts both games were quite physical with a number of fights.

Let's hope this is setting the tone for the season and games are going to be close and played with an edge.

Regards

Doom

[greeny]

Taking the thread title literally, it sounds like there were a couple of exciting pre-season games between Belfast and Cardiff.

Friday night Cardiff took the win in Belfast on penalty shots after the game finished 3 - 3 in regulation.

On Saturday night in Cardiff the Devils took the victory 5 - 4 in overtime.

By all accounts both games were quite physical with a number of fights.

Let's hope this is setting the tone for the season and games are going to be close and played with an edge.

Regards

Doom

Thats looks promising, hopefully season will bring some high intensity physical games against teams. Even if results dont go our way, im hoping guys gave their all and im entertained. Here s to a succesful/ entertaining season