Schedule

[greeny]

The eihl schedule is crazy,, 6 games in 9 days, how much stress does that put on a professional sportsmens mental and physical being. Footballers moan sometimes at the extra midweek game they sometimes have to play. Too many games for the size of rosters we have in the uk eihl.

[paul johnston]

The eihl schedule is crazy,, 6 games in 9 days, how much stress does that put on a professional sportsmens mental and physical being. Footballers moan sometimes at the extra midweek game they sometimes have to play. Too many games for the size of rosters we have in the uk eihl.

Yeah it is ludicrous, it's always been too many games this time of the year but it seems this could be the heaviest Christmas/New Year schedule yet.

[Firefox1001]

The eihl schedule is crazy,, 6 games in 9 days, how much stress does that put on a professional sportsmens mental and physical being. Footballers moan sometimes at the extra midweek game they sometimes have to play. Too many games for the size of rosters we have in the uk eihl.

Sign more players. Squads of 26+ should not be uncommon. League rules need to change to allow this!

[Doom]

The problem with bigger squads is finance.

The arena teams will probably be able to afford it, but what about the likes of Manchester and Dundee?

We don't want to create a situation where the gap between the arena teams and the rest is so big that games are no longer competitive.

I fear for the future of Fife the way things are going, we don't want to end up with a 5 team league like we had in the ISL.

Regards

Doom

[Bryan]

The problem with bigger squads is finance.

The arena teams will probably be able to afford it, but what about the likes of Manchester and Dundee?

We don't want to create a situation where the gap between the arena teams and the rest is so big that games are no longer competitive.

I fear for the future of Fife the way things are going, we don't want to end up with a 5 team league like we had in the ISL.

Regards

Doom

I do agree about Fife. I thought at the start of the season, they had made some interesting signings, but this just hasn’t worked out that way. It’s just as well they have a long tradition with some enthusiastic supporters. I hope the league can keep them going. It must be very dispiriting losing so many games.

[Bryan]

I would like to see the league taking a decision that CHL entrance should be encouraged, but as we have seen the schedule is just ridiculous. What would everyone think about this idea? A team can only play in the CHL having done so well previously. Perhaps they could be seeded in our internal cup and get a bye in the first round. At least this would help with the early season schedule. I can see owners not wanting to lose the income but we had fabulous crowds for our CHL home games so it is not all bad that way.

[ginger]

Difficult one due to financial disparities, but this is where there needs to be a review of league structure, and it joins up nicely with development of young players.

Ditch the league as the major trophy - make it the playoffs. That way 2 way players can be utilised more in regular season games with less risk (and better learning opportunities), keeping regulars fresher and with lighter minutes.

That's the cheapest way from team perspective, as bigger rosters/longer seasons all incur additional salaries/rents etc.

Another potential option would be to reduce challenge cup games and go back to the old Heineken era playoffs, with 2 groups of 4 playing home and away, with top 2 in each going to finals weekend

[greeny]

I really do feel for the lower league teams.. It is always more or less the same top 4 teams year in year out. We cannot afford to lose any teams at all. Fife is a worry this year, such history behind this team and it is one team i would love to see doing well,,

[ginger]

I really do feel for the lower league teams.. It is always more or less the same top 4 teams year in year out. We cannot afford to lose any teams at all. Fife is a worry this year, such history behind this team and it is one team i would love to see doing well,,

I agree to some extent, but Fife's problems appear to be solidly their own making. Dundee seem to have few issues generally and have marketed themselves well to improve crowd numbers. They've made final 4 weekends. This is why I'd switch to the playoffs as the main focus - whilst a team might not be able to keep pace with the higher spenders over a regular season, they can in short series/one off games.

The 2 clubs that worry me are Fife and Manchester. Manchester is difficult being out in Alty and the facility. Hopefully the touted city centre rink would help them greatly. Fife though really need some new owners though. They appear to either have no idea or no will to push the club forward.

[greeny]

I really do feel for the lower league teams.. It is always more or less the same top 4 teams year in year out. We cannot afford to lose any teams at all. Fife is a worry this year, such history behind this team and it is one team i would love to see doing well,,

I agree to some extent, but Fife's problems appear to be solidly their own making. Dundee seem to have few issues generally and have marketed themselves well to improve crowd numbers. They've made final 4 weekends. This is why I'd switch to the playoffs as the main focus - whilst a team might not be able to keep pace with the higher spenders over a regular season, they can in short series/one off games.

The 2 clubs that worry me are Fife and Manchester. Manchester is difficult being out in Alty and the facility. Hopefully the touted city centre rink would help them greatly. Fife though really need some new owners though. They appear to either have no idea or no will to push the club forward.

Agree about eihl main focus, i dont really get this league title is be all. ,,too long and drawn out. yes it shows consistency but for others their chances are over fairly soon. As elswhere play offs main focus it keeps all clubs hopes up longer and more of an even playing field for lesser clubs as they are more likely to do well over a shorter time. Would love fife to get some owners in who really know how to market them and get some money into club