It's time
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mmallender27
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It is time, and long overdue. No fight, no idea and time for a change. Bar the '24 season there's been barely anything to shout about (and in my opinion the players all came together after the Johnson incident that year). Sick of this dull boring style of play. Kevin Moore has done great with Coventry this year, we've struggled against them. They put up a great fight in the cc final. Would love to see someone like that in charge of us
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Doom
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It's worth remembering the two seasons prior to the Grandslam season we stuttered badly in the 2nd half of the season after a strong start.
The Grandslam was the exception rather than the rule. There is certainly some truth in the team pulling together after the Johnson tragedy, but we had already made a very strong start to the season before that.
I like Fox and he's dealt with some very difficult situations incredibly well, but it certainly seems like the recruitment this season has been very poor. I'm probably around 55/45 in favour of replacing him and having a fresh start, but that would change if we won the playoffs.
As for potential alternatives, Moore would be my favourite. He seems to have a very well structured team who punch above their weight, but could he take that step up to the next level with a bigger budget?
Would an experienced old player like Ciampini be worth a shout?
I would be nervous replacing Fox though, because the grass isn't always greener on the other side and we could end up with another Thompson situation.
Regards
Doom
The Grandslam was the exception rather than the rule. There is certainly some truth in the team pulling together after the Johnson tragedy, but we had already made a very strong start to the season before that.
I like Fox and he's dealt with some very difficult situations incredibly well, but it certainly seems like the recruitment this season has been very poor. I'm probably around 55/45 in favour of replacing him and having a fresh start, but that would change if we won the playoffs.
As for potential alternatives, Moore would be my favourite. He seems to have a very well structured team who punch above their weight, but could he take that step up to the next level with a bigger budget?
Would an experienced old player like Ciampini be worth a shout?
I would be nervous replacing Fox though, because the grass isn't always greener on the other side and we could end up with another Thompson situation.
Regards
Doom
At the end of last season, in my mind I wanted to give Fox this season to see if we could improve.
Unfortunately, we’ve gone backwards and that’s not acceptable with one the the top player and recruitment budgets in the league.
Minus the grand slam season, we’ve won one other trophy and Fox’s hockey is a poor a watch for me.
If you read @Clear The Zone ’s post on the recent Belfast thread it suggests that Tony may struggle to keep hold of Fox anyway?
www.steeltalk.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.ph ... 0&start=30
If I was the owner, I’d be thanking him for his services and helping him through the door.
Unfortunately, and I’ve said many times before, Tony is unlikely to make any changes while an average of 8,000+ come through the doors each week.
I’d happily give Kevin Moore a go from Coventry.
Unfortunately, we’ve gone backwards and that’s not acceptable with one the the top player and recruitment budgets in the league.
Minus the grand slam season, we’ve won one other trophy and Fox’s hockey is a poor a watch for me.
If you read @Clear The Zone ’s post on the recent Belfast thread it suggests that Tony may struggle to keep hold of Fox anyway?
www.steeltalk.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.ph ... 0&start=30
If I was the owner, I’d be thanking him for his services and helping him through the door.
Unfortunately, and I’ve said many times before, Tony is unlikely to make any changes while an average of 8,000+ come through the doors each week.
I’d happily give Kevin Moore a go from Coventry.
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MLL79
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I would like to see how we do in the playoffs, even though certain characteristics/trends/patterns are obvious with the team.
I think I would share concerns similar @Doom with someone like Kevin Moore - ie would an over achieving Coventry standard equate to an underachieving Sheffield? Could be a very risky move.
I think I would share concerns similar @Doom with someone like Kevin Moore - ie would an over achieving Coventry standard equate to an underachieving Sheffield? Could be a very risky move.
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Clear The Zone
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Does anyone think Carter BW is a viable head coach, or is he more of a video specialist? And/or would he follow Fox if Fox left?
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Brian
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If Carter had some great ideas surely he would be whispering them to Foxy on the bench. If he doesn't you would be replacing like for like.There is no evidence that anyone on that bench has a Plan B.
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Clear The Zone
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I very much doubt that coaching is as simple and reductive as you’re implying here , or we’d all be doing it. It’s also not representative of how a theoretical CBW-recruited team would perform.
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steeler pete
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On the Belfast thread the question of Keefe’s success was brought up. I’ve wondered that myself and there’s no easy answer but I do have 2 points to consider.
Keefe’s style is for his teams to play strong on the puck and battle hard for possession. Something this year’s team can match for a while but not a whole game. I also think he coaches his players well in disruptive plays that border on penalties. Add that to the other factors he has going for him like his NHL contacts.
Geography also plays a part. I do think they get an easier run in to challenge cup. Also they do play a lot of double header games for logistical reasons and whilst some are split results many are not. That has cost us dearly both in Belfast and at home this season.
I’m therefore inclined to think that it’s not Fox’s coaching that’s let us down this year. He didn’t recruit well but that’s something only hindsight can tell. He’s as frustrated by the inconsistency and lack of resilience some of them have as we are.
As for how many plans he has I don’t know but if the players aren’t able to put a plan together consistently then does it matter?
Our CHL campaign was outstanding and it took a hit on Greener by Berlin to knock us off track. I don’t see Keefe having such success.
Keefe’s style is for his teams to play strong on the puck and battle hard for possession. Something this year’s team can match for a while but not a whole game. I also think he coaches his players well in disruptive plays that border on penalties. Add that to the other factors he has going for him like his NHL contacts.
Geography also plays a part. I do think they get an easier run in to challenge cup. Also they do play a lot of double header games for logistical reasons and whilst some are split results many are not. That has cost us dearly both in Belfast and at home this season.
I’m therefore inclined to think that it’s not Fox’s coaching that’s let us down this year. He didn’t recruit well but that’s something only hindsight can tell. He’s as frustrated by the inconsistency and lack of resilience some of them have as we are.
As for how many plans he has I don’t know but if the players aren’t able to put a plan together consistently then does it matter?
Our CHL campaign was outstanding and it took a hit on Greener by Berlin to knock us off track. I don’t see Keefe having such success.