OLD SCHOOL HOCKEY

[smbmetal]

I’ve said in another thread after Jay had posted Tony Smith’s program article…..our old in your face never say die attitude has been lost because of Tony Smith in my eyes. Yes, the club is more stable and is even making money….when was the last time we won a League Championship Mr Smith?

[Jarv]

I’ve said in another thread after Jay had posted Tony Smith’s program article…..our old in your face never say die attitude has been lost because of Tony Smith in my eyes. Yes, the club is more stable and is even making money….when was the last time we won a League Championship Mr Smith?

It's definitely down to smith not wanting fighting

As the song goes "'Cause winnin' really is the only thing", or it used to be.

These days it's more "Cause Money really is the only thing" (Bring Cash...)

Surely there is a way to do both. Surely we can move a bit back towards being a Hockey Club than an Entertainment business

The rot started with the sacking of Adams. The League title is the ONLY trophy that matters, the others are nice to haves. that seems to have been lost somewhere along the way.

[mark]

I don't agree with TS taking the blame here, he wants a successful AND entertaining team because that is what brings the customers in providing the financial base for everything else, a club built on solid foundations and not the sand we have had previously. Coaches have been hired to do that and substantial funds provided for both the initial recruitment and any replacements needed, those coaches have generally failed to achieve their goals with varying degrees of success and playing styles. You may argue that TS could have selected a different coach but to say he intentionally seeks a quick playing, can't last the season, won't play the body style is just not credible. There are many things TS has got spot on from a business point of view just as there's some things he hasn't/daren't address with members of the organisation but playing style ?, nah. He wants success, he wants an entertaining team and he want trophies just like the rest of us.

[Jayboy]

I’ve said in another thread after Jay had posted Tony Smith’s program article…..our old in your face never say die attitude has been lost because of Tony Smith in my eyes. Yes, the club is more stable and is even making money….when was the last time we won a League Championship Mr Smith?

It's definitely down to smith not wanting fighting

As the song goes "'Cause winnin' really is the only thing", or it used to be.

These days it's more "Cause Money really is the only thing" (Bring Cash...)

Surely there is a way to do both. Surely we can move a bit back towards being a Hockey Club than an Entertainment business

The rot started with the sacking of Adams. The League title is the ONLY trophy that matters, the others are nice to haves. that seems to have been lost somewhere along the way.

I rarely quote myself. but I cant say it better a second time around than I did on the first two occasions.. I DONT see it being down to Tony at all, to me that seems an easy get out to those out there not wanting the full story.. Tony should not and as far as i am aware does not dictate the way we play.. that is 100% what he hires a coach to do.. I've had that discussion with him, and his only objective when he hires a coach is that they can do what they say there going to do and every time that conversation starts with winning the league.. Believe me...

That was Fife, in a semi-final, at home for christ's sake, we threw it away.

Steelers have accepted being second best as long as the money comes in and the off ice entertainment is keeping fans happy. Its as simple as that.

It seems that way to be fair, and can see why people may think that but I simply dont accept it to be the whole story...

I've know Tony for a long time (way before he bought the club) and its simply not the guy i know, he NEVER settles for second best in anything he does ever.. but he backed Aaron Fox to be the guy to bring us trophies, believed him to be capable of doing that... and I believe Tony will find someone else if Aaron Fox does not match up to what he expects.. I agree time is running out and those at Steelers towers have some hard decisions to make...

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]

Some very good debates here.

I completely agree that Tony wants Trophies and success and I'm 100% sure the coaches in charge have the necessary budget afforded to them.

For me though, I think Tony is happy with second best AS LONG as the "Business", his words not mine, is making money.

If I were the owner I would not have lost sight of our never say die in your face attitude which I personally believe Tony has. If not, why keep Fox in charge? The hockey is dire.

[neily06]

If your going to hire a coach let him dictate the way he wants to coach,you can have a hard nosed in your face team but you must also have a team that can win,let them of the leash and see what happens

[smbmetal]

If your going to hire a coach let him dictate the way he wants to coach,you can have a hard nosed in your face team but you must also have a team that can win,let them of the leash and see what happens

Well Fox’s coaching style isn’t good enough for the Sheffield Steelers. It’s worse than Paul Thompson’s was when trophy success is the measure….. yet plenty seem to stick up for Fox.

[Jayboy]

If your going to hire a coach let him dictate the way he wants to coach,you can have a hard nosed in your face team but you must also have a team that can win,let them of the leash and see what happens

Well Fox’s coaching style isn’t good enough for the Sheffield Steelers. It’s worse than Paul Thompson’s was when trophy success is the measure….. yet plenty seem to stick up for Fox.

to clarify my position: I saw the value in Fox and wanted to give him a chance, I believe I gave him ample time to prove himself and he has had is chance, now I feel its time to replace him... and I hope Tony sees that we need a different type of coach... My preference would be in the style of Blazer,Keefe,Simon or Adams backed by a Neil Abel type AC, a coaching team in my opinion that would let the players play aggressive when needed and change our philosophy of the last 6 years or so... Get back to the DNA of a true Sheffield Steelers side, If Tony truly doesn't know what that is then there is plenty of people he can ask including actual ex coaches and players that are members on Steeltalk...

[mark]

Well Fox’s coaching style isn’t good enough for the Sheffield Steelers. It’s worse than Paul Thompson’s was when trophy success is the measure….. yet plenty seem to stick up for Fox.

Thompson inherited a decent ( G Adams ) team, won early and declined from there , Fox did not and looking at win % Fox is ahead of PT.

[smbmetal]

Fox has had plenty of time to put his own stamp on the Steelers team and it's no where near good enough IMO. Belfast are miles ahead and have proved that you can play both fast and in your face hockey with a touch of the old school thrown in AND win trophy after trophy, bit like we did playing a similar style.

I don't see how keeping him as coach for next season will change this. The Sheffield Steelers have gone backwards over the last 4 to 5 years, lost their identity apart from Orange shirts and for me, are certainly not the benchmark that UK hockey teams try to emulate, that's now Belfast & Cardiff. Our only boast is that we get large crowds and 50/50 prizes. Great!

I'll leave it alone now, as I sound like a broken record.