Coaches Meeting with Owner.

[Nathan]

https://twitter.com/westerdale10/status ... 0dMuA&s=19

Ok I know its good old Bob Fairytale writing this but interesting nonetheless.

[mark]

I reckon Bob's a little too close to management these days to be truly objective but here's what is interesting. There have been a number of comments/articles recently relating to the fans being upset ranging from "stinging social media criticism" to "fans talking shit" , not hard to guess which comes from a journalist and which comes from our own version of Donald Trump. The thing is.. the fans concerns are justified as this new article shows , there wouldn't have been a meeting otherwise. How many times have the fanbase been criticised for expressing an opinion which then turns out to have been correct , more hits than misses I'd say.

[smbmetal]

Good for Tony Smith! Whilst I take what Fairytale writes with a pinch of salt, it is an interesting read and am pleased that Tony has saw fit to bring in the coaching staff for some expectations reminding.

A few of us have been saying it for a while that the performances have dropped off and we’re following a similar pattern to last year.

Let’s hope it has the desired the effect.

[BontSteeler]

I don't blame him one bit, some of the hockey of late has been abysmal, time for these players to step up & start playing to their credentials & CVs.

I wont go naming names but we all know all know who these players are.

[Doom]

We've really taken a dip in form these last few weeks, so unless there is illness in the camp Tony is quite right to raise a red flag with the coaching staff.

Players may perform poorly, but ultimately it's the coach who should take responsibility, because he picks those players, he motivates those players and he sets the tactics.

Tony has backed Fox superbly the last couple of years or so, he expects performances and results.

I said on another thread, something needs to change, because the slow starts are just not acceptable. It's down to Fox to sort it out....let's hope he can get them firing again.

Regards

Doom

[jas]

I certainly don't dislike Fox, but I feel he doesn't bring out the best in the team. I would expect more with the players we have, ie the sum does not seem to equal its parts

[paul johnston]

I certainly don't dislike Fox, but I feel he doesn't bring out the best in the team. I would expect more with the players we have, ie the sum does not seem to equal its parts

I think that's a really insightful post. I do feel we don't/havent quite reached our full potential these last couple of years. Is it systems and line choices, is it not letting them off the leash physically a bit more, is it poor motivating from the coach?

[jas]

I'd certainly like to see more physical play, although I understand Tony Smith isn't in favour of it. Also, there are times when the coach has alluded to the fact that players haven't bought into the systems. Whatever the problems, I see it as a coaching issue because I'm certain the players as a unit are under-performing, and they have proved they can do so better than of late. Obviously it's a business and I'm sure Tony will only address the problems if revenue becomes adversely affected. Perhaps he's happy us just being thereabouts ie enough to keep interest with the masses, whilst avoiding the cost of participating in other competitions by doing too well. I think he'll have to get us through periodically though. Perhaps it's a fine balancing act!

[Jayboy]

I'd certainly like to see more physical play, although I understand Tony Smith isn't in favour of it. Also, there are times when the coach has alluded to the fact that players haven't bought into the systems. Whatever the problems, I see it as a coaching issue because I'm certain the players as a unit are under-performing, and they have proved they can do so better than of late. Obviously it's a business and I'm sure Tony will only address the problems if revenue becomes adversely affected. Perhaps he's happy us just being thereabouts ie enough to keep interest with the masses, whilst avoiding the cost of participating in other competitions by doing too well. I think he'll have to get us through periodically though. Perhaps it's a fine balancing act!

Isn't he? ive spoke to Tony on many many occasions, although I admit not recently, and he has never indicated to me he isnt in favour of physical play. He has very much indicated that what the coaches get paid for and he for the most part sees the style of play and or tactics to be their role not his, ive often spoke to him about the best moments over the years and many of them included the physical play or Steelers grit and in your face approach.
I think its coach Fox who is not a huge fan of the physical approach to hockey...

[smbmetal]

I'd certainly like to see more physical play, although I understand Tony Smith isn't in favour of it. Also, there are times when the coach has alluded to the fact that players haven't bought into the systems. Whatever the problems, I see it as a coaching issue because I'm certain the players as a unit are under-performing, and they have proved they can do so better than of late. Obviously it's a business and I'm sure Tony will only address the problems if revenue becomes adversely affected. Perhaps he's happy us just being thereabouts ie enough to keep interest with the masses, whilst avoiding the cost of participating in other competitions by doing too well. I think he'll have to get us through periodically though. Perhaps it's a fine balancing act!

I actually think I got some of my thinking wrong as until I read Fairytale's article I also believed that Tony was happy for us to be there or thereabouts and previously joked about the shop being open and the Eddy being good etc.

Well I now think that the meeting he called was perhaps setting the expectations of a trophy win and that the current last few week performances have not been good enough. Right now we are still there or thereabouts so I would suggest that calling the meeting was to explain he wanted more which I'm really pleased with.

I would suggest the physical side of play is down to Fox not being keen on it.