A merged topic.. new title - what needs to change @Sheffield Steelers

[smbmetal]

We seem to play well against the lower sides and went on a fantastic winning streak around the Christmas and New Year period.

My concern is when we have to play the important big games we don’t appear to perform.

Guildford and the 2nd Belfast game (against a short bench with good players injured) of the doubler header at home being two examples.

In other words when the chips are down I’m not convinced we can manage the challenge.

Plenty of hockey to play though yet of course.

[Nathan]

Been pondering this quite a bit today.

I think we are good enough to win the title, on paper, but I'm not entirely sure we have that in game drive to push us to the end.

Grinding out W's in Fife and Manchester etc are all well and good but against Guildford on Saturday I'm not sure I saw a Steelers team that has it in them to apply the motivation during shifts to overcome the better sides in the league.

Time will tell I suppose but some of the wayward passing and weak shots on goal left me concerned.

We're going through the motions, and by that I mean doing the right things (I know that phrase is usually applied with negative connotations but that's not what I'm trying to get at here) regarding how we set up and execute plays etc but something was lacking in both the Flames loss and the Devils loss previously.

Both teams who won't hesitate in taking advantage of any slip ups by our boys.

Still plenty of games to go and a full haul of points next weekend will as always help before we head over the water for a difficult double header in Belfast.

[smbmetal]

Well after tonight’s performance against the Clan with a bloke that played two games in the same afternoon I think the answer is no, the Steelers are not a Championship winning team.

It’s crunch time and we appear to be following the same pattern as last season where we self destruct in the New Year. The Belfast double header will make or break the league title for me.

[SteelerBlade]

I’ve felt that we won’t win the title under Fox since the end of his first season. Think we can win short format stuff but not enough quality or longevity for the main prize.

Don’t get me wrong we’ve always been a good team under him who’ll challenge for the top trophy every year, but not got enough to do it.

[smbmetal]

Whilst I’m not pretending to know the stats, I reckon that the greatest coach in the entire universe Mr Thompson has probably done better than Fox has in a similar amount of time/games.

Under PT we won the League & Play offs.

Just the CC so far under Fox.

Yes, the crowds are up and the shop is open etc, but how long does Fox get if we don’t win another trophy this year?

The hockey in general isn’t that exciting either under Fox either for me.

It’s a change for me if we don’t win another trophy.

Thoughts?

[mark]

PT inherited a better team and it all went downhill, Fox inherited a weaker one. But all are eventually judged on results.

[smbmetal]

Very true, but Fox has had plenty of time and budget to progress us further. I’d argue he’s taken us backwards.

Plenty of hockey to play, but I’m thinking it’s time for a change in coaching staff.

[paul johnston]

PT was successful with a great team he inherited and barely had to add to, the longer he "coached" and recruited the worse we got.

Fox came in and was easy to improve.
We have been pretty consistent under Fox-generally the hockey has been ok with a few excellent games. I still think there was more flare and entertainment with the Lemtyugov and Davies team.

I argue frequently with Jay. Whilst we have had some good results at times I've found the hockey less than thrilling at times.

[smbmetal]

Bet Gerard Adams is laughing into his beer.

[Jayboy]

PT was successful with a great team he inherited and barely had to add to, the longer he "coached" and recruited the worse we got.

Fox came in and was easy to improve.
We have been pretty consistent under Fox-generally the hockey has been ok with a few excellent games. I still think there was more flare and entertainment with the Lemtyugov and Davies team.

I argue frequently with Jay. Whilst we have had some good results at times I've found the hockey less than thrilling at times.

I wouldn't say we argue

We have a varied and frank discussions and on the whole I agree with more of what you say than I disagree with, I actually agree with the sentiment over Fox's future with the club too, he should be winning silverware and there would be a strong argument for change if he doesn't.
I dont think You can compare PT with Fox though.. In my opinion Fox as been a far better (probably not good enough) coach than Paul Thompson was... At least under Fox we have been there or there about challenging for the honours! and where I have backed him in the past seasons I believed he had the skills and balls to make the hard calls and get us winning again, I never had that confidence with PT. If Fox wins nothing again this season I would think Tony will find it hard to back him over the Chorus of disapproval from a very demanding fans base that wants Sheffield Steelers to be a winning team and not one to settle for 2nd or 3rd in competitions...
the one BIG disappointment that I do have with the way Fox coaches our team, is is complete reluctance to allow the tough physical in your face gritty teams that simple will not get pushed about that the Steelers history is built upon.
If we are winless this year, I wouldn't be one calling for just one more year!