We can all tell something isn't right! its so obvious...
Fox Knows the players that are not putting a shift in (90% of them anyway)
I would say the morale as gone and he has lost the room...
When that happens the end of the season cant come quick enough... And the only way FOX himself can alter this is to have a major sit down with the entire team behind closed doors and hammer it out!
Otherwise he has to go...
If it turns out the players think he and/or his tactics are the problem he has to suck it up and put it right...
Tony will want to give him to end of season before he acts, because of the importance he places on loyalty to a coach who got it right in the Grand Slam season...
Tony is not known for his kneejerk reactions, that gives Aaron Fox 8 week to save his job Imo.
What happens now!
Moderator: Mods
Unfortunately Jay…..nothing happens now is my guess, UNLESS crowd numbers fall.
Fox is here to stay. Tony doesn't have the b*lls to ask him to leave. Not while there’s 8,000+ a game singing Sweet Caroline.
No-one expects to win every game, but we’re just not a good watch, zero fight. This team as with others under Fox’s leadership just ain’t good enough.
I think it’s time for a coaching change. The last time I suggested replacing Fox we won a grand slam the next season
Fox is here to stay. Tony doesn't have the b*lls to ask him to leave. Not while there’s 8,000+ a game singing Sweet Caroline.
No-one expects to win every game, but we’re just not a good watch, zero fight. This team as with others under Fox’s leadership just ain’t good enough.
I think it’s time for a coaching change. The last time I suggested replacing Fox we won a grand slam the next season
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Doom
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I'm just having a look at a few of our team stats for the season so far:
Top of the +/-
Diffley +16
Dowd +11
Balmas +9
Jasper +9
Bottom
Heard -3
Watling -3
Ritchie -3
Kelly-4
Cormier -6
Huttula -6
I've seen people mention that Diffley isn't on their return list for next season. Based on the above stats, he's head and shoulders above the rest of our defence this season.
Only 3 forwards at or close to a point per game:
Balmas 41 from 31
Dowd 27 from 28
Juusola 21 from 23
Only Balmas on for a 20 goal season (he's actually on for a 37 goal season).
The rest of the forwards:
Dowd 17
Jasper 16
Tait 10
Juusola 14
Harper 17
Heard 15
Tremblay 12
Gentile 10
Pu 12
Shudra 2
Watling 0
For me this is where our issue lies, not enough quality in front of goal, which is probably putting pressure on the likes of Cormier to over commit trying to make something happen.
I was looking at the shot map from the game last night and if you didn’t know the score you would have thought it was a close game. The difference was, nearly all the high scoring chances from Belfast hit the back of the net, whilst ours hit the netminder.
I expected us to have around five 20+ goal scorers on our team, but for whatever reason it's just not happened.
I've no idea if the issues are balance of the team, tactical or confidence, but Fox needs to put it right very quickly, because the Challenge Cup maybe our best chance of silverware and that is creeping up on us.
Regards
Doom
Top of the +/-
Diffley +16
Dowd +11
Balmas +9
Jasper +9
Bottom
Heard -3
Watling -3
Ritchie -3
Kelly-4
Cormier -6
Huttula -6
I've seen people mention that Diffley isn't on their return list for next season. Based on the above stats, he's head and shoulders above the rest of our defence this season.
Only 3 forwards at or close to a point per game:
Balmas 41 from 31
Dowd 27 from 28
Juusola 21 from 23
Only Balmas on for a 20 goal season (he's actually on for a 37 goal season).
The rest of the forwards:
Dowd 17
Jasper 16
Tait 10
Juusola 14
Harper 17
Heard 15
Tremblay 12
Gentile 10
Pu 12
Shudra 2
Watling 0
For me this is where our issue lies, not enough quality in front of goal, which is probably putting pressure on the likes of Cormier to over commit trying to make something happen.
I was looking at the shot map from the game last night and if you didn’t know the score you would have thought it was a close game. The difference was, nearly all the high scoring chances from Belfast hit the back of the net, whilst ours hit the netminder.
I expected us to have around five 20+ goal scorers on our team, but for whatever reason it's just not happened.
I've no idea if the issues are balance of the team, tactical or confidence, but Fox needs to put it right very quickly, because the Challenge Cup maybe our best chance of silverware and that is creeping up on us.
Regards
Doom
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Brian
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I don't expect anything to happen soon. 3 away games in Scotland on the trot and a Belfast weekend is tough in any season. If we get results against Manchester and Cardiff it will be a case of ,”lets look forward to the Cup ,”and after that, “ lets get to the playoffs”, to keep the 8,000 customers coming . Let's face it , many come for the experience and not the result, unless we start losing every match which probably won't happen.
We have to face it, the players we signed last summer weren't what we thought they were and because of league rules we can't really change much now.
We have to face it, the players we signed last summer weren't what we thought they were and because of league rules we can't really change much now.
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MLL79
- Draft Pick
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Really interesting reading the stats.
The signs are there that it’s a morale issue more than anything, having watched both games, there were definite spells where we were dominant. First ten mins of Fridays game we were all over them, fast, physical, 1-0 up. So they can do it when their blood is up.
The Cliff Pu situation was damaging, 2 players upping and walking out damaging, and I’ve always felt the rotation system doesn’t help this group. They can’t be prima-donnas, but I think some of the rotation decisions are misplaced, and that is damaging.
Certain guys seem to be untouchable, like Harper, who scores in isolated clutches, but for me is the epitome of the “going through the motions” guy, but is seemingly untouchable in the selection. That’s damaging for morale.
I know this is an unpopular view, but… look at the numbers and McAdam is statistically playing better than Greenfield, and he was number 1 at the flames - Greenfield let’s 5 in against Belfast and gets the nod the following night, yes he played very well, but if the stats are worse, it’s a loss, and you’ve been worked very very hard and are high tempo fatigued, as McAdam you have to be thinking - hang on a minute, what do I have to do.
Tansey has done well for us as a forward in many ways, but everyone in the squad knows this a patch-up role, when he’s kept there - what do the natural forwards who are bench warming think?…. I hate to say it as I would love to see him getting his regular spot back, but Shudra is having one of his worst seasons - he’s not fundamentally changed as a player, and the quality of the league has reduced - so this doesn’t make sense. Is this because he’s been mismanaged?
For me a lot of these rotation decisions have been bad for morale
Watson has done well for me, he looks really switched on and looks after D responsibilities, he’s very mobile and has some clever touches with the limited opportunity, give the kid a shot and run a fixed 4th line with Shudra for size and more experience. 4 lines and a breather and everyone can play harder tempo.
With the loss of Vally and Saucerman, I sense we may have lost a big slice of camaraderie in the dressing room also - big characters that lift people.
Sorry for the absolute essay - at the end of the day what do I know lol just some food for thought ramblings I guess - and really interested in others views.
Cheers
The signs are there that it’s a morale issue more than anything, having watched both games, there were definite spells where we were dominant. First ten mins of Fridays game we were all over them, fast, physical, 1-0 up. So they can do it when their blood is up.
The Cliff Pu situation was damaging, 2 players upping and walking out damaging, and I’ve always felt the rotation system doesn’t help this group. They can’t be prima-donnas, but I think some of the rotation decisions are misplaced, and that is damaging.
Certain guys seem to be untouchable, like Harper, who scores in isolated clutches, but for me is the epitome of the “going through the motions” guy, but is seemingly untouchable in the selection. That’s damaging for morale.
I know this is an unpopular view, but… look at the numbers and McAdam is statistically playing better than Greenfield, and he was number 1 at the flames - Greenfield let’s 5 in against Belfast and gets the nod the following night, yes he played very well, but if the stats are worse, it’s a loss, and you’ve been worked very very hard and are high tempo fatigued, as McAdam you have to be thinking - hang on a minute, what do I have to do.
Tansey has done well for us as a forward in many ways, but everyone in the squad knows this a patch-up role, when he’s kept there - what do the natural forwards who are bench warming think?…. I hate to say it as I would love to see him getting his regular spot back, but Shudra is having one of his worst seasons - he’s not fundamentally changed as a player, and the quality of the league has reduced - so this doesn’t make sense. Is this because he’s been mismanaged?
For me a lot of these rotation decisions have been bad for morale
Watson has done well for me, he looks really switched on and looks after D responsibilities, he’s very mobile and has some clever touches with the limited opportunity, give the kid a shot and run a fixed 4th line with Shudra for size and more experience. 4 lines and a breather and everyone can play harder tempo.
With the loss of Vally and Saucerman, I sense we may have lost a big slice of camaraderie in the dressing room also - big characters that lift people.
Sorry for the absolute essay - at the end of the day what do I know lol just some food for thought ramblings I guess - and really interested in others views.
Cheers
Last edited by MLL79 on Sun Jan 18, 2026 9:31 am, edited 2 times in total.
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MLL79
- Draft Pick
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Sorry folks, like Columbo, one last thing…
The lines!!!! I’m not sure I could even try and write the lines down - that’s got to bake guys heads… I know they all train together but they’re all over the place. I totally get changing one place per line to tinker, but really seems to be wholesale almost match to match.
(Thanks for having patience with a newbie on here btw guys - I know I have a problem with verbal diarrhoea lol)
The lines!!!! I’m not sure I could even try and write the lines down - that’s got to bake guys heads… I know they all train together but they’re all over the place. I totally get changing one place per line to tinker, but really seems to be wholesale almost match to match.
(Thanks for having patience with a newbie on here btw guys - I know I have a problem with verbal diarrhoea lol)
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greeny
- Veteran
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So this season we have a very average team,,,,fair enough but the issue for me is how the coach gets the best out of what he has. And this is where i have an issue with foxy in that he never seems to adapt to various game scenerios to try and alter the pattern of the game. As there is still 2 lots of silverware to be had then we just carry on as in coach and tonys eyes if we win those [haha] then it will of had not been a bad season. If we dont get any silverware then end of season tony has decisions to make ie, do we stay static and plod on for another season or do would try and push on with someone new. For me just a humble fan its a no brainer,,,if you have something that does not work then you change it for a new one as opposed to putting a plaster over it and hope it might last a little longer
For me fox is a stats ,facts and figures man and when things are going badly players are not buying in to all this and are not responding. Keefe and stewart are totally different characters not dissimilar to blaiser and these teams I feel will fight and respond to these more passionate and at times volatile coaches. The league has gone for me so let's rip the book up stop watching the videos and let them play ,this team is probly the hardest watch in the league and win or lose I now need to be entertained.
Not posted or read the forum for a fair while but the recent form drew me back to see the undercurrent from fans…
Well the form speaks for itself
Last 5 games 2 points
Last 10 games 6 points
Awful!
In hindsight, Recruitment has been poor, and decision making on who released.. poor…
Wrong and “easy” decision on fox and smith to bring watling back, great servant but not the knight in shining armour.
Why an earth did he not rotate Mcadam and greenfield after the Friday drubbing Beyond belief..
I have held my faith in fox… but it’s time for change and a rebuild.. a new era needed..
Sorry but thanks Aaron but time to move on, fix out!
Well the form speaks for itself
Last 5 games 2 points
Last 10 games 6 points
Awful!
In hindsight, Recruitment has been poor, and decision making on who released.. poor…
Wrong and “easy” decision on fox and smith to bring watling back, great servant but not the knight in shining armour.
Why an earth did he not rotate Mcadam and greenfield after the Friday drubbing Beyond belief..
I have held my faith in fox… but it’s time for change and a rebuild.. a new era needed..
Sorry but thanks Aaron but time to move on, fix out!